Carpenter and Quincannon : Professional Detective Services

John Quincannon #Short Stories

by Bill Pronzini

1890's detection in the Old West! When you are faced with puzzles involving fraudulent rainmakers, nefarious spiritualists, coney games,a one-eyed lady gambler, a crook who disappears from a train, the stolen body of a Chinese Tong leader, and similar mysteries -- you hire the firm of Carpenter and Quincannon, Professional Detective Services. Sabina Carpenter, the widow of a Pinkerton detective, has joined forces with John Quincannon, a former United States Secret Service agent—in fact, Quincannon would like to join forces in other ways, but his partner continues to resist his lustful advances. Carpenter and Quincannon includes some of Bill Pronzini's finest short stories.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Mystery

225 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Mystery Writers of America Awards "Grand Master" 2008
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1999) for Boobytrap
Edgar Awards Best Novel nominee (1998) for A Wasteland of Strangers
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) for Sentinels
Shamus Awards "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) 1987
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1982) for Hoodwink

Married to author Marcia Muller.

Pseudonyms:
Robert Hart Davis (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Jack Foxx
William Jeffrey (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Alex Saxon

Reviews

[Hapzydeco · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of Bill Pronzini's short stories. These lighthearted historical mysteries are set in 1890s San Francisco. The tête-à-têtes between John and Sabina provide a touch of humor.

[Todd Stockslager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short story collection about the male/female San-Franciscan detective team of the late 19th Century.

Not quite as good as the Beyond the grave novel that featured the team in flashbacks from modern day San Francisco. But still not bad. The stories are good, but there is some repetition of ideas and plot devices.

I'd rate it highly enough to continue on to read other novels about the team.

[Karen]

I don't read short stories, but these were excellent.

I was preparing to read the series by Marcia Muller and Bill Pronzini based on these characters.

I borrowed this book from the public library.

[Nancy Cook-senn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Action, humor, local color, period color, great story puzzles.