Ed Gorman's Blog, page 30

Gravetapping: Jack Higgins Dark Side of The Street

by Ben BouldenDark Side of the Street is the twenty-first novel published by Harry Patterson, and the fifth to feature Paul Chavasse. It was originally released in the U. K. as a hardcover by John Long in 1967 under the byline “Martin Fallon”; a name that has a history with Mr. Patterson. It was an early pseudonym, and the name of two protagonists who met similar fates in the novels Cry of the Hunter (1960) and A Prayer for the Dying (1973). It made a pre-The Eagle Has Landed appearance in the United States as a Fawcett Gold Medal paperback in 1974.
Paul Chavasse is employed by a British intelligence organization called “The Bureau”; its director reports directly to the Prime Minister. Chavasse is educated—a former lecturer of linguistics—ruthless, and very much in demand. When he is approached by Scotland Yard’s Special Branch with an opportunity to spend time in a maximum security prison Chavasse accepts with good humor. His assignment is to infiltrate a criminal organization that seemingly has the ability to penetrate any prison, and abscond with the convict of its choosing. And once out, the prisoner vanishes without a trace.
Special Branch believes the next convict to escape will be Harry Youngblood. Harry was convicted of robbing an airport with two associates, and both have already escaped in spectacular fashion. Chavasse’s assignment is to tag along with Youngblood when his escape comes, and get the details of the organization arranging it. He does, and what he finds is both surprising and daunting.
Dark Side of the Street is one of the more accomplished Paul Chavasse novels. The plot is perfectly executed and surprising. The prose is even and consistent, and at times vividly eloquent—
“Rain drifted against the window with dismal pattering and Chavasse looked out across the farmyard morosely. In the grey light of early morning, it presented an unlovely picture. Great potholes in the cobbles filled with stagnant water, archaic, rusting machinery and a profusion of rubbish everywhere.”
There is a nicely executed heist in the opening pages before it settles into straight adventure. Paul Chavasse is a likable protagonist with a knack for finding himself behind bars, and an uncanny ability of getting out. A situation that happens at least once in the first five novels. The central antagonist is interesting for two reasons. The first is Mr. Patterson’s use of an obvious sociopath with an over the top personality (Sean Rogan less the conscience). The second is his name, Simon Vaughan. A name many readers will recognize as the protagonist from The Savage Day (1972), and Day of Judgment (1979); although it is definitely not the same character.      
The plot is also familiar, but the familiarity is external to Mr. Patterson’s work rather than internal. Desmond Bagley used a similar storyline for his excellent 1971 novel The Freedom Trap, filmed as “The Mackintosh Man”, which was inspired by the 1966 escape of British double agent George Blake from Wormwood Scrubs prison. It is likely, due to the proximity between Blake’s escape and the publication date, it also inspired Dark Side of the Street.  
No matter its inspirations, Dark Side of the Street, is one of the better early novels Harry Patterson published. It is the last novel Mr. Patterson wrote before introducing his most famous nom de plume—Jack Higgins—and it is a bridge between his early work and the brilliant novels he wrote in the middle of his career.   
I wrote a short introduction to the Paul Chavasse novels a few years ago you may find interesting.
Purchase a copy of Dark Side of the Street on Amazon .Mystery Scene Back Issue #140, Summer 2015 (Canada)Ingrid Thoft" by Hank Phillippi Ryan"Elizabeth Daly: East Side Stories" the urbane and amiable Henry Gamadge, by Joseph Goodrich"Ronald Tierney" an appreciation of the Deets Shanahan novels, by Kevin Burton Smith"Pen Pals: Eudora Welty and Ross Macdonald," a new collection of letters, by Jon L. Breenby Jake Hinkson"Gormania: A chat with John Lutz" by Ed Gorman"Marlowe Framed!" Comic book adaptations of Raymond Chandler’s iconic private eye, by Dick Lochte"An Expert Witness" Crossword, by Verna Suit"My Book: Between the Covers" by Elaine Viets"My Book: Burnt Siena" by Sarah Wisseman"My Book: Greenfellas" by Robert LoprestiPOSTED BY ED GORMAN AT 10:41 AM NO COMMENTS: LINKS TO THIS POST FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015Gravetapping TEKWAR by William Shatner and Ron GoulartGravetapping
























Ben Boulden:
Sometime in 1992, probably late in the year, I devoured the first three novels in William Shatner’s Tek series: TekWar (1989), TekLords (1991), and TekLab (1991). At the time, as a teenager, I was certain they were as original and exciting as anything ever published. As I’ve aged, become jaded by life, my opinion has changed a smidge; there probably are stories more original, more exciting. And, even worse, the Tek books will never be canonized, but—even after these truths were revealed—I still enjoy them. They are a sweetly inviting piece of candy—all sugary and sweet with no aftertaste, or calories. Maybe a shadow of guilt, literati induced guilt, but thankfully it passes with the first page.   
The first novel, TekWar, was published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons in hardcover. Ace reissued it as a mass market in 1990. Amazingly, I have read it three times. It introduces former police detective Jake Cardigan who was convicted of corruption. He was sentenced to fifteen years in the “Freezer,” which is a cryogenic suspended animation penitentiary. The world continues, but the convict sleeps it away. Jake is given parole after four years when an influential private detective agency, Cosmos, successfully lobbies for his release. 
Cosmos wants Jake for his contacts in Mexico. A man named Leon Kittridge, along with his daughter Beth, have disappeared in Chihuahua where their skycar reportedly crashed. Professor Kittridge is developing a device that easily, and remotely, destroys tek; an illegal virtual reality device that creates the illusion of a perfect life. Cosmos has sent three operatives to Chihuahua in pursuit of the Kittridges and none have returned. 
TekWar is a humorous, almost tongue-in-cheek, futuristic private eye novel. The setting is 22nd century, but the science fiction takes a backseat to the hardboiled detective story. There are robots, flying cars, and, of course, tek, but the “science” is decoration. Very good decoration and the novel is better for it, but still decoration. Change out tek for smack and flying cars for Chevys and it is a 20th century piece. 
The humor is built in to the science fiction element of the story, which gives it the feeling of, “don’t take this too seriously.” In an early passage the warden, through his robot proxy, wishes Jake well and of his certainty Jake learned his lesson and will never return to the Freezer— 
“Or, for that matter, to any of the fifty-three other prisons and correctional facilities in the State of Southern California…” 
A platinum haired silver painted receptionist, going through life changes, confesses to Jake she has recently been mistaken for an android—
“‘…so far three clients have confused me with servomechs and a new ‘bot on the custodial staff tried to dust and polish me.’”
The action and humor are the novels strong points, and overshadow its weaknesses—there isn’t much doubt how the novel will end, and Jake Cardigan’s motive is exposed by his annoying habit of talking to himself. A habit, in my memory, that is reduced in the later series novels.  

Mystery Scene Back Issue #140, Summer 2015 (Canada)Ingrid Thoft" by Hank Phillippi Ryan"Elizabeth Daly: East Side Stories" the urbane and amiable Henry Gamadge, by Joseph Goodrich"Ronald Tierney" an appreciation of the Deets Shanahan novels, by Kevin Burton Smith"Pen Pals: Eudora Welty and Ross Macdonald," a new collection of letters, by Jon L. Breenby Jake Hinkson"Gormania: A chat with John Lutz" by Ed Gorman"Marlowe Framed!" Comic book adaptations of Raymond Chandler’s iconic private eye, by Dick Lochte"An Expert Witness" Crossword, by Verna Suit"My Book: Between the Covers" by Elaine Viets"My Book: Burnt Siena" by Sarah Wisseman"My Book: Greenfellas" by Robert LoprestiPOSTED BY ED GORMAN AT 1:27 PM 1 COMMENT: LINKS TO THIS POST THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015

From Mystery Scene:
YOU CAN TAKE THE BOY OUT OF NEW JERSEY…by Robert Lopresti                       When I decided to write about the Mafia I knew I would have to rely on the Garden State, where I was born.  My current Northwest home is sadly lacking in Sicilian mobsters.            I figured my three decades in Area Code 201 would provide plenty of background for my story.             Greenfellas  is a comic crime novel, with issues.  On the day mobster Sal Caetano becomes a grandfather he hears on the news that climate change will make his granddaughter’s world a disaster area.            Sal vows to use his mob-honed skills to save the environment.  This puts him in conflict with the law, his brother criminals, politicians, and even ecoterrorists.            How does this relate to New Jersey geography?  Well, I decided the borders between the crime families were somewhat vague:If the world were rational then all the cops working on organized crime in New Jersey would have maps on the wall with nice neat borders.  Everything west of here belongs to the Zalzo family. Everything east of this line is D'Agosta territory. The space between? Napolito Land.But the world isn't a rational place, and the mob doesn't go in for deep thinking, so the best their studious critics in O.C. can do is identify spheres of influence… Certain towns are recognized as monopolies of one gang or another. And some neighborhoods are no-go areas, either because some boss's mother lives there or for reasons long forgotten. Basking Ridge was no-touch because a legendary head of the FBI's New York City office lived there a decade ago. He had long since retired to Florida but, in effect, his ghost still patrolled the town.All this would be easier to track if the state, federal, and local policeO.C. units cooperated fully, but they aren't rational either.            I  enjoyed placing my characters in favorite locales.  Some bad guys live in my former house in Morris County (although I owned fewer deadly weapons).  If any Hollywood producers are interested, I can show them the exact locale.  And I assure them I am entirely willing to sell out.            One location I kept deliberately vague.  I wanted to set a big picnic in honor of a dead mobster in Echo Lake Park in Mountainside. However, I hadn’t been there for more than a decade and didn’t trust my memory.  So I invented Silver Lake Park.  No one could argue about thatplace, because it doesn’t exist.            One of my first readers lives in New Jersey and she immediately asked:  “Why did you change Echo Lake to Silver Lake?”  She thought I had described the original down perfectly.  Maybe I did.            Because, like a Taylor Ham sandwich or salt water taffy, New Jersey tends to stick with you a long time.




Pro-File

1. Tell us about your current novel.(See above.)

2. Can you give a sense of what you're working on now?I

 have a contract for a non-fiction book.  Nothing to do with mystery, unfortunately.  I hope you’ll be hearing about it in 2017.
3. What is the greatest pleasure of a writing career?That’s easy.  The moment when a story idea pops into your head.  First there’s nothing there and then – bang! -  There is.  It’s obviously magic.

4. What is the greatest DISpleasure?Waiting and waiting and – did I mention waiting? – for an editor’s verdict.  That’s actually worse than a rejection.5. If you have one piece of advice for the publishing world, what is it?
I wouldn’t bother.  The publishing world has NEVER had the faintest idea of what it was doing.  It has always been fighting the last war.As for writers: don’t sign any long term contracts.  Don’t get yourself sworn to a current business model, because in five years everything will be different (again).
6. Are there two or three forgotten mystery writers you'd like to see
in print again?
Raymond Paul.  He wrote a short series of great historical novels about an Irish Lawyer named Quincannon in pre-Civil War New York.  Each was based on a real murder of the time.  Does Jack Ritchie qualify as forgotten?  One of the greatest authors of comic short mysteries.  I have stolen tons from him.  

Review:“If Carl Hiassen and Al Gore had collaborated on RESERVOIR DOGS, it might have come out something like GREENFELLAS. Then again, it probably wouldn't.  Robert Lopresti… has penned a comic crime novel in which a New Jersey mobster with a bad comb-over decides to use his resources to save the environment for future generations. The dialogue is crisp and the situations darkly funny.” - Steve Steinbock, ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE.
Blurbs (yours included):A hilarious, albeit chilling, eco-Mafia novel -- a new species.  Lopresti knows his mobsters, his New Jersey, and his science, and knows how to make it all sing.”  -- SJ Rozan, Edgar-winning author (as Sam Cabot) of SKIN OF THE WOLF

“Robert Lopresti's GREENFELLAS has a great concept and vivid characters, both criminals and commoners. There's snappy patter and a fast-moving story, and it's funny, too.  Elmore Leonard fans (and everybody else) should snap this up immediately.” --Bill Crider, bestselling author of the Sheriff Dan Rhodes mysteries
“A funny, fast-paced crime story whose serious points pack the wallop of a forty-five.”-Terence Faherty, Shamus-winning author of the Scott Elliott series.
"A very clever, extremely well-done romp that somehow manages to make the birth of a granddaughter, the Mafia and global warming all work brilliantly ensemble style.  A fine, fun story that is not without serious depth and warmth. I loved it.”  -Ed Gorman, Writer of the Sam McCain series
Mystery Scene Back Issue #140, Summer 2015 (Canada)Ingrid Thoft" by Hank Phillippi Ryan"Elizabeth Daly: East Side Stories" the urbane and amiable Henry Gamadge, by Joseph Goodrich"Ronald Tierney" an appreciation of the Deets Shanahan novels, by Kevin Burton Smith"Pen Pals: Eudora Welty and Ross Macdonald," a new collection of letters, by Jon L. Breenby Jake Hinkson"Gormania: A chat with John Lutz" by Ed Gorman"Marlowe Framed!" Comic book adaptations of Raymond Chandler’s iconic private eye, by Dick Lochte"An Expert Witness" Crossword, by Verna Suit"My Book: Between the Covers" by Elaine Viets"My Book: Burnt Siena" by Sarah Wisseman"My Book: Greenfellas" by Robert LoprestiPOSTED BY ED GORMAN AT 5:38 PM 3 COMMENTS: LINKS TO THIS POST Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chief - James Reasoner
Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chief - James Reasoner
G.W. Braddock might not be an official Texas Ranger anymore, but that doesn't mean he's going to stop chasing down outlaw gangs! On the trail of a vicious band of killers and bank robbers led by the notorious Clete Fenner, Braddock finds himself with an unexpected ally: an ancient Indian who claims to be the last war chief of the Comanche. Their pursuit of the Fenner gang will lead them to a bloody showdown on the Texas plains, with the lives of innocents hanging in the balance! 

It's an Outlaw Ranger novella this time around, 17,000 words of gritty action for less than a buck. There's no print edition for the moment, but my plan is to write another Outlaw Ranger novella later in the year and combine it with this one for the print edition. I'm enjoying this series and plan to keep it going for a while, as long as I can find the time to write them.


POSTED BY ED GORMAN AT 7:30 AM NO COMMENTS: LINKS TO THIS POST POSTED BY ED GORMAN AT 12:33 PM NO COMMENTS: LINKS TO THIS POST Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chief - James Reasoner
G.W. Braddock might not be an official Texas Ranger anymore, but that doesn't mean he's going to stop chasing down outlaw gangs! On the trail of a vicious band of killers and bank robbers led by the notorious Clete Fenner, Braddock finds himself with an unexpected ally: an ancient Indian who claims to be the last war chief of the Comanche. Their pursuit of the Fenner gang will lead them to a bloody showdown on the Texas plains, with the lives of innocents hanging in the balance! 

It's an Outlaw Ranger novella this time around, 17,000 words of gritty action for less than a buck. There's no print edition for the moment, but my plan is to write another Outlaw Ranger novella later in the year and combine it with this one for the print edition. I'm enjoying this series and plan to keep it going for a while, as long as I can find the time to write them.


POSTED BY ED GORMAN AT 7:30 AM NO COMMENTS: LINKS TO THIS POST Older PostsHomeSubscribe to: Posts (Atom)BLOG ARCHIVE2015 (260)July (23)DARK SIDE OF THE STREET by Martin Fallon (Jack Hig...Gravetapping TEKWAR by William Shatner and Ron Gou...New Books: GreenfellasNow Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chie...Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chie...Gravetapping Stark House Press: Black Gat BooksForgotten Books DANGER IS MY BUSINESS by Lee Serve...Gravetapping: COMPOUND MURDER by Bill CriderFred Blosser looks at "The Lost World"--Cinema Ret...Tom Piccirilli R.I.P. from LocusJames Resoner reviews John Hegenberger's TRIPL3 CR...Tom Piccirilli has diedGravetapping: NIGHTCRAWLERS by Bill PronziniA major Stark House discoveryAn early De Palma thriller takes a Hitchcockian cr...The Making of The Magnificent SevenA GREAT interview with Max Allan Collins about Mic...Bad ReviewsSpree by Max Allan CollinsThe Perry Mason TV seriesCharles Runyon, R.I.P.Requesting Information About Ron FaustForgotten Books: The Handle Donald E. WestlakeJune (38)May (45)April (42)March (38)February (35)January (39)2014 (473)2013 (347)2012 (349)2011 (383)2010 (347)2009 (365)2008 (337)2007 (355)2006 (58) LINKSEd Gorman Home PageBiographyBibliographyEd's EmailEd's Books @ Amazon OTHER BLOGS OF NOTEBill CriderJames ReasonerSandra ScoppettoneSarah WeinmanVince KeenanLee GoldbergWesterns for TodayMystery*FileLocus MagazineShocklinesBookgasmThe Rap SheetMediaBisto.Com: GalleyCat ABOUT ME ED GORMANVIEW MY COMPLETE PROFILE

DARK SIDE OF THE STREET by Martin Fallon (Jack Higgins)

by Dark Side of the Street is the twenty-first novel published by Harry Patterson, and the fifth to feature Paul Chavasse. It was originally released in the U. K. as a hardcover by John Long in 1967 under the byline “Martin Fallon”; a name that has a history with Mr. Patterson. It was an early pseudonym, and the name of two protagonists who met similar fates in the novels Cry of the Hunter (1960) and A Prayer for the Dying (1973). It made a pre-The Eagle Has Landed appearance in the United States as a Fawcett Gold Medal paperback in 1974.
Paul Chavasse is employed by a British intelligence organization called “The Bureau”; its director reports directly to the Prime Minister. Chavasse is educated—a former lecturer of linguistics—ruthless, and very much in demand. When he is approached by Scotland Yard’s Special Branch with an opportunity to spend time in a maximum security prison Chavasse accepts with good humor. His assignment is to infiltrate a criminal organization that seemingly has the ability to penetrate any prison, and abscond with the convict of its choosing. And once out, the prisoner vanishes without a trace.
Special Branch believes the next convict to escape will be Harry Youngblood. Harry was convicted of robbing an airport with two associates, and both have already escaped in spectacular fashion. Chavasse’s assignment is to tag along with Youngblood when his escape comes, and get the details of the organization arranging it. He does, and what he finds is both surprising and daunting.
Dark Side of the Street is one of the more accomplished Paul Chavasse novels. The plot is perfectly executed and surprising. The prose is even and consistent, and at times vividly eloquent—
“Rain drifted against the window with dismal pattering and Chavasse looked out across the farmyard morosely. In the grey light of early morning, it presented an unlovely picture. Great potholes in the cobbles filled with stagnant water, archaic, rusting machinery and a profusion of rubbish everywhere.”
There is a nicely executed heist in the opening pages before it settles into straight adventure. Paul Chavasse is a likable protagonist with a knack for finding himself behind bars, and an uncanny ability of getting out. A situation that happens at least once in the first five novels. The central antagonist is interesting for two reasons. The first is Mr. Patterson’s use of an obvious sociopath with an over the top personality (Sean Rogan less the conscience). The second is his name, Simon Vaughan. A name many readers will recognize as the protagonist from The Savage Day (1972), and Day of Judgment (1979); although it is definitely not the same character.      
The plot is also familiar, but the familiarity is external to Mr. Patterson’s work rather than internal. Desmond Bagley used a similar storyline for his excellent 1971 novel The Freedom Trap, filmed as “The Mackintosh Man”, which was inspired by the 1966 escape of British double agent George Blake from Wormwood Scrubs prison. It is likely, due to the proximity between Blake’s escape and the publication date, it also inspired Dark Side of the Street.  
No matter its inspirations, Dark Side of the Street, is one of the better early novels Harry Patterson published. It is the last novel Mr. Patterson wrote before introducing his most famous nom de plume—Jack Higgins—and it is a bridge between his early work and the brilliant novels he wrote in the middle of his career.   
I wrote a short introduction to the Paul Chavasse novels a few years ago you may find interesting.
Purchase a copy of Dark Side of the Street on Amazon .Mystery Scene Back Issue #140, Summer 2015 (Canada)Ingrid Thoft" by Hank Phillippi Ryan"Elizabeth Daly: East Side Stories" the urbane and amiable Henry Gamadge, by Joseph Goodrich"Ronald Tierney" an appreciation of the Deets Shanahan novels, by Kevin Burton Smith"Pen Pals: Eudora Welty and Ross Macdonald," a new collection of letters, by Jon L. Breenby Jake Hinkson"Gormania: A chat with John Lutz" by Ed Gorman"Marlowe Framed!" Comic book adaptations of Raymond Chandler’s iconic private eye, by Dick Lochte"An Expert Witness" Crossword, by Verna Suit"My Book: Between the Covers" by Elaine Viets"My Book: Burnt Siena" by Sarah Wisseman"My Book: Greenfellas" by Robert Lopresti

Gravetapping TEKWAR by William Shatner and Ron Goulart

FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015























Ben Boulden:
Sometime in 1992, probably late in the year, I devoured the first three novels in William Shatner’s Tek series: TekWar (1989), TekLords (1991), and TekLab (1991). At the time, as a teenager, I was certain they were as original and exciting as anything ever published. As I’ve aged, become jaded by life, my opinion has changed a smidge; there probably are stories more original, more exciting. And, even worse, the Tek books will never be canonized, but—even after these truths were revealed—I still enjoy them. They are a sweetly inviting piece of candy—all sugary and sweet with no aftertaste, or calories. Maybe a shadow of guilt, literati induced guilt, but thankfully it passes with the first page.   
The first novel, TekWar, was published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons in hardcover. Ace reissued it as a mass market in 1990. Amazingly, I have read it three times. It introduces former police detective Jake Cardigan who was convicted of corruption. He was sentenced to fifteen years in the “Freezer,” which is a cryogenic suspended animation penitentiary. The world continues, but the convict sleeps it away. Jake is given parole after four years when an influential private detective agency, Cosmos, successfully lobbies for his release. 
Cosmos wants Jake for his contacts in Mexico. A man named Leon Kittridge, along with his daughter Beth, have disappeared in Chihuahua where their skycar reportedly crashed. Professor Kittridge is developing a device that easily, and remotely, destroys tek; an illegal virtual reality device that creates the illusion of a perfect life. Cosmos has sent three operatives to Chihuahua in pursuit of the Kittridges and none have returned. 
TekWar is a humorous, almost tongue-in-cheek, futuristic private eye novel. The setting is 22nd century, but the science fiction takes a backseat to the hardboiled detective story. There are robots, flying cars, and, of course, tek, but the “science” is decoration. Very good decoration and the novel is better for it, but still decoration. Change out tek for smack and flying cars for Chevys and it is a 20th century piece. 
The humor is built in to the science fiction element of the story, which gives it the feeling of, “don’t take this too seriously.” In an early passage the warden, through his robot proxy, wishes Jake well and of his certainty Jake learned his lesson and will never return to the Freezer— 
“Or, for that matter, to any of the fifty-three other prisons and correctional facilities in the State of Southern California…” 
A platinum haired silver painted receptionist, going through life changes, confesses to Jake she has recently been mistaken for an android—
“‘…so far three clients have confused me with servomechs and a new ‘bot on the custodial staff tried to dust and polish me.’”
The action and humor are the novels strong points, and overshadow its weaknesses—there isn’t much doubt how the novel will end, and Jake Cardigan’s motive is exposed by his annoying habit of talking to himself. A habit, in my memory, that is reduced in the later series novels.  

Mystery Scene Back Issue #140, Summer 2015 (Canada)Ingrid Thoft" by Hank Phillippi Ryan"Elizabeth Daly: East Side Stories" the urbane and amiable Henry Gamadge, by Joseph Goodrich"Ronald Tierney" an appreciation of the Deets Shanahan novels, by Kevin Burton Smith"Pen Pals: Eudora Welty and Ross Macdonald," a new collection of letters, by Jon L. Breenby Jake Hinkson"Gormania: A chat with John Lutz" by Ed Gorman"Marlowe Framed!" Comic book adaptations of Raymond Chandler’s iconic private eye, by Dick Lochte"An Expert Witness" Crossword, by Verna Suit"My Book: Between the Covers" by Elaine Viets"My Book: Burnt Siena" by Sarah Wisseman"My Book: Greenfellas" by Robert Lopresti

Gravetapping TEKWAR by William Shatner and Ron Goulart

Gravetapping
























Ben Boulden:
Sometime in 1992, probably late in the year, I devoured the first three novels in William Shatner’s Tek series: TekWar (1989), TekLords (1991), and TekLab (1991). At the time, as a teenager, I was certain they were as original and exciting as anything ever published. As I’ve aged, become jaded by life, my opinion has changed a smidge; there probably are stories more original, more exciting. And, even worse, the Tek books will never be canonized, but—even after these truths were revealed—I still enjoy them. They are a sweetly inviting piece of candy—all sugary and sweet with no aftertaste, or calories. Maybe a shadow of guilt, literati induced guilt, but thankfully it passes with the first page.   
The first novel, TekWar, was published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons in hardcover. Ace reissued it as a mass market in 1990. Amazingly, I have read it three times. It introduces former police detective Jake Cardigan who was convicted of corruption. He was sentenced to fifteen years in the “Freezer,” which is a cryogenic suspended animation penitentiary. The world continues, but the convict sleeps it away. Jake is given parole after four years when an influential private detective agency, Cosmos, successfully lobbies for his release. 
Cosmos wants Jake for his contacts in Mexico. A man named Leon Kittridge, along with his daughter Beth, have disappeared in Chihuahua where their skycar reportedly crashed. Professor Kittridge is developing a device that easily, and remotely, destroys tek; an illegal virtual reality device that creates the illusion of a perfect life. Cosmos has sent three operatives to Chihuahua in pursuit of the Kittridges and none have returned. 
TekWar is a humorous, almost tongue-in-cheek, futuristic private eye novel. The setting is 22nd century, but the science fiction takes a backseat to the hardboiled detective story. There are robots, flying cars, and, of course, tek, but the “science” is decoration. Very good decoration and the novel is better for it, but still decoration. Change out tek for smack and flying cars for Chevys and it is a 20th century piece. 
The humor is built in to the science fiction element of the story, which gives it the feeling of, “don’t take this too seriously.” In an early passage the warden, through his robot proxy, wishes Jake well and of his certainty Jake learned his lesson and will never return to the Freezer— 
“Or, for that matter, to any of the fifty-three other prisons and correctional facilities in the State of Southern California…” 
A platinum haired silver painted receptionist, going through life changes, confesses to Jake she has recently been mistaken for an android—
“‘…so far three clients have confused me with servomechs and a new ‘bot on the custodial staff tried to dust and polish me.’”
The action and humor are the novels strong points, and overshadow its weaknesses—there isn’t much doubt how the novel will end, and Jake Cardigan’s motive is exposed by his annoying habit of talking to himself. A habit, in my memory, that is reduced in the later series novels.  

Mystery Scene Back Issue #140, Summer 2015 (Canada)Ingrid Thoft" by Hank Phillippi Ryan"Elizabeth Daly: East Side Stories" the urbane and amiable Henry Gamadge, by Joseph Goodrich"Ronald Tierney" an appreciation of the Deets Shanahan novels, by Kevin Burton Smith"Pen Pals: Eudora Welty and Ross Macdonald," a new collection of letters, by Jon L. Breenby Jake Hinkson"Gormania: A chat with John Lutz" by Ed Gorman"Marlowe Framed!" Comic book adaptations of Raymond Chandler’s iconic private eye, by Dick Lochte"An Expert Witness" Crossword, by Verna Suit"My Book: Between the Covers" by Elaine Viets"My Book: Burnt Siena" by Sarah Wisseman"My Book: Greenfellas" by Robert Lopresti

New Books: Greenfellas

From Mystery Scene:




YOU CAN TAKE THE BOY OUT OF NEW JERSEY…by Robert Lopresti                        When I decided to write about the Mafia I knew I would have to rely on the Garden State, where I was born.  My current Northwest home is sadly lacking in Sicilian mobsters.            I figured my three decades in Area Code 201 would provide plenty of background for my story.             Greenfellas  is a comic crime novel, with issues.  On the day mobster Sal Caetano becomes a grandfather he hears on the news that climate change will make his granddaughter’s world a disaster area.            Sal vows to use his mob-honed skills to save the environment.  This puts him in conflict with the law, his brother criminals, politicians, and even ecoterrorists.            How does this relate to New Jersey geography?  Well, I decided the borders between the crime families were somewhat vague:If the world were rational then all the cops working on organized crime in New Jersey would have maps on the wall with nice neat borders.  Everything west of here belongs to the Zalzo family. Everything east of this line is D'Agosta territory. The space between? Napolito Land.But the world isn't a rational place, and the mob doesn't go in for deep thinking, so the best their studious critics in O.C. can do is identify spheres of influence… Certain towns are recognized as monopolies of one gang or another. And some neighborhoods are no-go areas, either because some boss's mother lives there or for reasons long forgotten. Basking Ridge was no-touch because a legendary head of the FBI's New York City office lived there a decade ago. He had long since retired to Florida but, in effect, his ghost still patrolled the town.All this would be easier to track if the state, federal, and local policeO.C. units cooperated fully, but they aren't rational either.            I  enjoyed placing my characters in favorite locales.  Some bad guys live in my former house in Morris County (although I owned fewer deadly weapons).  If any Hollywood producers are interested, I can show them the exact locale.  And I assure them I am entirely willing to sell out.            One location I kept deliberately vague.  I wanted to set a big picnic in honor of a dead mobster in Echo Lake Park in Mountainside.  However, I hadn’t been there for more than a decade and didn’t trust my memory.  So I invented Silver Lake Park.  No one could argue about that place, because it doesn’t exist.            One of my first readers lives in New Jersey and she immediately asked:  “Why did you change Echo Lake to Silver Lake?”  She thought I had described the original down perfectly.  Maybe I did.            Because, like a Taylor Ham sandwich or salt water taffy, New Jersey tends to stick with you a long time.

Pro-File

1. Tell us about your current novel.(See above.)

2. Can you give a sense of what you're working on now?I

 have a contract for a non-fiction book.  Nothing to do with mystery, unfortunately.  I hope you’ll be hearing about it in 2017.
3. What is the greatest pleasure of a writing career?That’s easy.  The moment when a story idea pops into your head.  First there’s nothing there and then – bang! -  There is.  It’s obviously magic.

4. What is the greatest DISpleasure?Waiting and waiting and – did I mention waiting? – for an editor’s verdict.  That’s actually worse than a rejection.5. If you have one piece of advice for the publishing world, what is it?
I wouldn’t bother.  The publishing world has NEVER had the faintest idea of what it was doing.  It has always been fighting the last war.As for writers: don’t sign any long term contracts.  Don’t get yourself sworn to a current business model, because in five years everything will be different (again).
6. Are there two or three forgotten mystery writers you'd like to see
in print again?
Raymond Paul.  He wrote a short series of great historical novels about an Irish Lawyer named Quincannon in pre-Civil War New York.  Each was based on a real murder of the time.  Does Jack Ritchie qualify as forgotten?  One of the greatest authors of comic short mysteries.  I have stolen tons from him.  

Review:“If Carl Hiassen and Al Gore had collaborated on RESERVOIR DOGS, it might have come out something like GREENFELLAS. Then again, it probably wouldn't.  Robert Lopresti… has penned a comic crime novel in which a New Jersey mobster with a bad comb-over decides to use his resources to save the environment for future generations. The dialogue is crisp and the situations darkly funny.” - Steve Steinbock, ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE.
Blurbs (yours included):A hilarious, albeit chilling, eco-Mafia novel -- a new species.  Lopresti knows his mobsters, his New Jersey, and his science, and knows how to make it all sing.”  -- SJ Rozan, Edgar-winning author (as Sam Cabot) of SKIN OF THE WOLF

“Robert Lopresti's GREENFELLAS has a great concept and vivid characters, both criminals and commoners. There's snappy patter and a fast-moving story, and it's funny, too.  Elmore Leonard fans (and everybody else) should snap this up immediately.” --Bill Crider, bestselling author of the Sheriff Dan Rhodes mysteries
“A funny, fast-paced crime story whose serious points pack the wallop of a forty-five.”-Terence Faherty, Shamus-winning author of the Scott Elliott series.
"A very clever, extremely well-done romp that somehow manages to make the birth of a granddaughter, the Mafia and global warming all work brilliantly ensemble style.  A fine, fun story that is not without serious depth and warmth. I loved it.”  -Ed Gorman, Writer of the Sam McCain series
Mystery Scene Back Issue #140, Summer 2015 (Canada)Ingrid Thoft" by Hank Phillippi Ryan"Elizabeth Daly: East Side Stories" the urbane and amiable Henry Gamadge, by Joseph Goodrich"Ronald Tierney" an appreciation of the Deets Shanahan novels, by Kevin Burton Smith"Pen Pals: Eudora Welty and Ross Macdonald," a new collection of letters, by Jon L. Breenby Jake Hinkson"Gormania: A chat with John Lutz" by Ed Gorman"Marlowe Framed!" Comic book adaptations of Raymond Chandler’s iconic private eye, by Dick Lochte"An Expert Witness" Crossword, by Verna Suit"My Book: Between the Covers" by Elaine Viets"My Book: Burnt Siena" by Sarah Wisseman"My Book: Greenfellas" by Robert Lopresti

Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chief - James Reasoner

THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chief - James Reasoner
Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chief - James Reasoner
G.W. Braddock might not be an official Texas Ranger anymore, but that doesn't mean he's going to stop chasing down outlaw gangs! On the trail of a vicious band of killers and bank robbers led by the notorious Clete Fenner, Braddock finds himself with an unexpected ally: an ancient Indian who claims to be the last war chief of the Comanche. Their pursuit of the Fenner gang will lead them to a bloody showdown on the Texas plains, with the lives of innocents hanging in the balance! 

It's an Outlaw Ranger novella this time around, 17,000 words of gritty action for less than a buck. There's no print edition for the moment, but my plan is to write another Outlaw Ranger novella later in the year and combine it with this one for the print edition. I'm enjoying this series and plan to keep it going for a while, as long as I can find the time to write them.


POSTED BY ED GORMAN AT 7:30 AM NO COMMENTS: LINKS TO THIS POST 

Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chief - James Reasoner

Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chief - James Reasoner
G.W. Braddock might not be an official Texas Ranger anymore, but that doesn't mean he's going to stop chasing down outlaw gangs! On the trail of a vicious band of killers and bank robbers led by the notorious Clete Fenner, Braddock finds himself with an unexpected ally: an ancient Indian who claims to be the last war chief of the Comanche. Their pursuit of the Fenner gang will lead them to a bloody showdown on the Texas plains, with the lives of innocents hanging in the balance! 

It's an Outlaw Ranger novella this time around, 17,000 words of gritty action for less than a buck. There's no print edition for the moment, but my plan is to write another Outlaw Ranger novella later in the year and combine it with this one for the print edition. I'm enjoying this series and plan to keep it going for a while, as long as I can find the time to write them.

Gravetapping Stark House Press: Black Gat Books

I’m a big fan of Stark House Press, and I have been meaning to write a post about its latest publishing venture, Black Gat Books, for a several weeks. Black Gat is a mass market line dedicated to reprinting great crime novels of the past. Stark House’s website identifies Black Gat’s mission statement—  
“This is a single-title line of books, uniformly priced at $9.99, offering additional reprint titles from past masters of mystery fiction. Each book will be numbered. Some will have new introductions, some will not.”
There are three titles currently available:
No. 1.  A Haven for the Damned by Harry Whittington. This is one of Mr. Whittington’s Gold Medal books originally published in 1962. The Black Gat edition includes an excellent Introduction by David Laurence Wilson.
No. 2.  Eddie’s World by Charlie Stella. This is Charlie Stella’s first novel. It was originally published in 2001, and received critical raves. Stark House published its sequel,  Rough Riders , in 2012, which was reviewed here at Gravetapping.  

No. 3.  Stranger at Home by Leigh Brackett. This title was originally published as by George Sanders—the English actor—in 1946. It was written by the great Leigh Brackett, and it is thankfully available again. 
There are two additional titles that have been announced, but not yet released:
No. 4.  The Persian Cat by John Flagg. This is one of the earliest Gold Medal titles. It features agent Gil Denby, and is set in Tehran. Its release date is August 2015.
No. 5.  Only the Wicked by Gary Phillips. This is an Ivan Monk mystery set in Los Angeles. Its release date is November 2015.  
The Black Gat titles are available directly through the publisher , and most online bookstores. If you click on the titles above you will be whisked to the Amazon page for each.

Forgotten Books DANGER IS MY BUSINESS by Lee Server

DANGER IS MY BUSINESS by Lee Server

Before he became known for his excellent biographies of Robert Mitchum, Ava Gardner and Samuel Fuller, Server wrote and co-edited several books about noir. I collaborated with him on two of them. His knowledge of noir films made me feel like the tourist I am.

He also wrote one of the finest books on pulp fiction I've ever read, Danger is My Business. It's filled with full colors of cover from every genre of pulps and stories about the writers and artists and editors who made them so successful for two decades. Just one example--do you know how Myrna Loy got her last name? I didn't. It turns out the mysterious Peter Ruric, author of Fast One and several classic hardboiled Black Mask stories, gave it to her when she was still a dancer in a nightclub. Very little is known about Ruric who's real name was George Sims and who was born not far from Cedar Rapids.

Each genre gets it own chapter-horror, adventure-western, private eye, romance and sex, hero pulps and science fiction as well as a chapter on the so-called Fiction Factories that ruled pulp land.

The romance and sex chapter surprised me. These pulps took real risks given the prevailing morality of the era. Robert Leslie Bellems set the tone for the naughty hardboiled male writers while women turned in the real erotica.

Same with the horror pulps. Looking at the covers I'm struck by how many of them depicted female bondage. The scantily clad (and usually great looking) heroines were always tied up by some fiend.

We all know how a lot of blurbs work. One writer wants to help another writer so he praises the book. You can usually tell when the blurb writer is log rolling. "I don't think I've ever read a novel as stupendously suspenseful or as monumentally wonderful or as Nobel-worthy as Sure I Killed, I Killed Him Good. And there's print on every page! Honest!"

But here are two blurbs that ring true for sure.

"Danger is My Business Takes me back forty years to my beginnings. Thank God for the pulps!" Elmore Leonard

"Danger is My Business is pure gold. It is so much fun to read. Lee Server's enthusiasm is well-matched to a writing style so witty and a knowledge of the subject so wide-ranging that Danger I My Business is a total page-tuner, as involving as any of the magazines he's opened for us." Donald E. Westlake

This is a book that belongs in your library.
POSTED BY ED GORMAN AT 6:35 PM NO COMMENTS

From Libby Hellmann-LIBBY'S REVIEW CREW

Hi Ed,
Would you like to be the first to read all of my books before they're published... for free? I've created a new team called Libby’s Review Crew for a select group of fans.
As you know, the publishing industry is ever-evolving. Authors depend heavily on early reviews for their books to succeed.
I have a new novella called "Incidental Spy"coming out in September, and I've just about finished my 5th Ellie Foreman novel.
Here's where you come in. I'm inviting you to join the exclusive Libby’s Review Crew. When you do, you'll receive every novel, short story, and novella I write for FREE beforethey're published.
Pretty cool, right? Eager beavers can  sign up here now . 

All I ask in return is an honest review at the time of the book launch. While you'll have at least 6 weeks or more to read the ARC (Advanced Readers Copy), you'll need to post your review within a 3-day window when the book is officially launched. We'll be monitoring to see who follows through, and if you don't, well, because reviews are so critical for an author these days, we'll probably invite someone else to take your spot.
Ideal candidates for "Libby Review’s Crew" are:•    Avid readers of mystery/ thriller novels•    Readers who've read my books•    People who write honest, thoughtful reviews•    People who love being in an inner-circle•    People who will follow throughSound like you? If so, I welcome you to join  Libby’s Review Crew here . 
Warmly,
Libby
P.S. Libby's Review Crew members will receive their first ARC, a novella called The Incidental Spy, next month.