For my Bookshelf Traveling post this week, I have picked three books I bought or received in 2017 (and have not read).
Rough Cider by Peter Lovesey
This is one of Peter Lovesey's earlier novels. Published in 1986, it is set in 1964, and involves events that took place during World War II.
A university lecturer, Dr. Theo Sinclair, is approached by a young woman, Alice, who has questions about a murder that occurred 21 years earlier in 1943. When Sinclair was nine years old he was sent to Somerset during the Blitz; while he was there he provided evidence for a murder trial. Alice's father was convicted of murder at that trial.See reviews at the Historical Novel Society site and At the Scene of the Crime.
Miss Darkness: The Great Short Crime Fiction of Fredric Brown
This collection of short stories by Fredric Brown was selected and edited by Jonathan Eeds, and published in 2012. Except for a few short stories from this collection, I have not read anything by this author. He was an American science fiction and mystery writer, publishing short stories and novels from the 1940s through the 1980s. I know I have read blog posts on books by this author but not sure where. I would love to hear from anyone who is familiar with his writing.
Doan and Carstairs: Their Complete Cases by Norbert Davis
(with an introduction by Evan Lewis)
I first heard about Norbert Davis and the Doan and Carstairs series at Neeru's blog, A Hot Cup of Pleasure, in 2013, when she reviewed Holocaust House. At the time I planned to read something by this author, but never did that. In 2017, this omnibus version was published by Argosy House, with the introduction by Evan Lewis. Evan has many posts about Norbert Davis at his blog, Davy Crockett's Almanac; here is a link to a post on The Mouse in the Mountain, one of the three novels in the series.
The series was published in the 1940's. Doan is a detective and Carstairs is a Great Dane. The stories are hard-boiled mysteries with a lot of humor. See an overview at The Thrilling Detective Web Site.
I still haven't read any of the books and none of them are very long. I have really got to do something about that. I have read one of Norbert Davis's short stories, "Watch Me Kill You!", in The Complete Cases of Max Latin. My post is here.
21 comments:
There is a Wikipedia page on Brown, and they also have a bibliography. There is also an informative page on the Author's Calendar. There is also a full biography by Jack Seabrook called "Martians and Misplaced Clues." He got his start in the pulps and then graduated to hard covers. The NESFA Press has reprinted his science fiction novels and short stories in two large volumes called "From These Ashes" and "Martians and Madness." I think his best science fiction story is one of his short-shorts (of which he was a master) called "Answer." Haffner Press has begun a project to reprint all his pulp mystery stories and the first two large volumes have already been published: they are "Murder Draws a Crowd" and "Death in the Dark." He is a first-rate writer and I don't think he ever wrote anything that is not at least worth reading, and a good part of it is first rate. I would start with what I think is his best mystery novel "The Far Cry." If that does not make you a fan then he may not be for you.
Thanks Tracy for the link.
I found Davis' THE MAN IN THE MOUNTAIN hilarious. Perhaps I should read his other books as one needs regular doses of cheer nowadays.
The Lovesey book seems very interesting. Haven't read anything of the author.
Thanks for the suggestion to try The Far Cry. I have checked out the Wikipedia pages that you mentioned and will read them in more depth. Now that you mention the two books from Haffner Press, I remember that Rick Robinson at Tip the Wink featured those on his blog and they have illustrations -- which I would love.
Neeru, I will be trying Man in the Mountain soon. I think it is the first novel in the series?
I have read a few of the Peter Diamond series by Lovesey, and they are very good. I also read some of his earlier novels, which are mostly historical novels. Also very good.
I have only read Lovesey and not this one.
It's good to see some Frederic Brown here, Tracy; I've always liked his work. And Peter Lovesey's done some fantastic work, in my opinion. I'm glad you're doing this meme; it's reminding me of a lot of authors whose stories I'd like to read, and several I've really enjoyed.
Great 'Insane' post, Tracy. I love seeing all those fabulous covers, you can't beat the crime genre for covers, although sci-fi comes a close second.
I've read some of Lovesey's Diamond books and liked them.
I've read quite a but of Brown's short story stuff, and have and want to read some of the novels, especially THE FABULOUS CLIPJOINT and NIGHT OF THE JABBERWOCK. The short story collection NIGHTMARES AND GEEZENSTACKS is good. It's a paperback I bought many, many decades ago. Some say Brown is an acquired taste. I'd say his mysteries, more than his SF.
I have and have read part Doan and Carstairs, which is light and fun. The fellow who did the introduction is a friend who also lives here in Portland.
I'm enjoying this meme, and am very glad you're doing it!
Patti, I haven't read a lot of books by Lovesey but I want to continue his Peter Diamond series and go back and read or re-read some of his earlier historical mysteries.
I have not read any novels by Fredric Brown, but based on what I have read about him, you might like his mystery stories and novels.
Margot, I wish I had some Fredric Brown novels in my TBR stacks and boxes. Those will have to wait a while. But I do have Lovesey books I can read, although Rough Cider is buried somewhere and I am going to have to dig it out.
Cath, you are right, there are some great science fiction book covers too, especially the vintage books. Not necessarily related to covers, but I have some John Scalzi books I need read too.
Thanks, Rick, I am enjoying finding books for this meme. The two novels that you mentioned by Fredric Brown are ones I would like to have. I just purchased a Kindle version of The Fabulous Clipjoint although I would rather have a real book.
I am looking forward to finally reading one of the Doan and Carstairs novels. I only know Evan Lewis through his blog, but he often features two items I love: Nero Wolfe and Roy Rogers.
Hi Tracy,
I am SOLD on the Doan & Carstairs series. I know for a fact that both Ken and I would love this. I'm so glad to find out about it. Thank you. Heading straight online to see what I can find. Have a leisurely Saturday night and Sunday with your husband. Best to you!
Judith, since I haven't actually read any of the Doan and Carstairs books yet, I can't say for sure, but I think you would like them and they are definitely worth a try.
Thanks, I hope we all have a restful, relaxing weekend, as much as possible.
I am a huge fan of Fredric Brown, Tracy, and I would not begin with The Far Cry, excellent though that is. The first that I read was The Night of the Jabberwock and it's my favourite. I'd go with that. I have blogged now and then about him. If you google Fredric Brown and Christine Poulson, you should find the posts.
Thanks, Christine. I did google that and found your posts on Fredric Brown. Your blog must have been one that I saw before because I commented on at least one of the posts there. I do have a kindle copy of The Fabulous Clipjoint now to try.
I like Frederic Brown and Peter Lovesey. Never heard of the Doan and Carstairs series, and must look that up.
Moira, I do hope to read one or two of the Doan and Carstairs books soon. They are fairly short. I wish I could find my copy of Rough Cider... it will have to wait. But I do have some of the Peter Diamond books to read, and some other standalone books by Lovesey.
Nice choices. I read a Doan and Carstairs years ago when Rick was running the Crimes of the Century monthly thing. And I've read some Brown - The Screaming Mimi. The odd Lovesey hides in the tubs.
Col, I had forgotten that you had read a Doan and Carstairs book. Understandable, since it was so long ago. I miss the Crime of the Century posts. I should read all of these authors, especially the ones I have not tried yet.
Post a Comment