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Now He Thinks He's Dead
When H.J. Mavity's chief client dies in her arms, she weeds through the secrets of several families to find his killer, as her ex-husband tries to keep her out of trouble
- GenresMystery
144 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 1992
About the author
Ron Goulart
607 books100 followersPseudonyms: Howard Lee; Frank S Shawn; Kenneth Robeson; Con Steffanson; Josephine Kains; Joseph Silva; William Shatner.
Ron Goulart is a cultural historian and novelist. Besides writing extensively about pulp fiction—including the seminal Cheap Thrills: An Informal History of Pulp Magazines (1972)—Goulart has written for the pulps since 1952, when the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction published his first story, a sci-fi parody of letters to the editor. Since then he has written dozens of novels and countless short stories, spanning genres and using a variety of pennames, including Kenneth Robeson, Joseph Silva, and Con Steffanson. In the 1990s, he became the ghostwriter for William Shatner’s popular TekWar novels. Goulart’s After Things Fell Apart (1970) is the only science-fiction novel to ever win an Edgar Award.
In the 1970s Goulart wrote novels starring series characters like Flash Gordon and the Phantom, and in 1980 he published Hail Hibbler, a comic sci-fi novel that began the Odd Jobs, Inc. series. Goulart has also written several comic mystery series, including six books starring Groucho Marx. Having written for comic books, Goulart produced several histories of the art form, including the Comic Book Encyclopedia (2004).
Ron Goulart is a cultural historian and novelist. Besides writing extensively about pulp fiction—including the seminal Cheap Thrills: An Informal History of Pulp Magazines (1972)—Goulart has written for the pulps since 1952, when the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction published his first story, a sci-fi parody of letters to the editor. Since then he has written dozens of novels and countless short stories, spanning genres and using a variety of pennames, including Kenneth Robeson, Joseph Silva, and Con Steffanson. In the 1990s, he became the ghostwriter for William Shatner’s popular TekWar novels. Goulart’s After Things Fell Apart (1970) is the only science-fiction novel to ever win an Edgar Award.
In the 1970s Goulart wrote novels starring series characters like Flash Gordon and the Phantom, and in 1980 he published Hail Hibbler, a comic sci-fi novel that began the Odd Jobs, Inc. series. Goulart has also written several comic mystery series, including six books starring Groucho Marx. Having written for comic books, Goulart produced several histories of the art form, including the Comic Book Encyclopedia (2004).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
June 10, 2020
(Format :: Audiobook )
"You can't run through molasses."
This is book two in the Ben Spanner series and as delightfully amusing as Book one. Spanner is a successful voice actor with the annoying habit of frequent!y using alternate voices in his everyday conversation. Once married, then divorced, he and his ex-wife H.J. (Helen Joanne) are back together again, expecting soon to remarry, as she moves her possessions from her cottage to his house. She is an artist, painting covers for paperback books, with an unfortunate habit of discovering dead bodies - this time, that of her friend and editor - and the even more unfortunate habit of stubbornly investigating the causes for herself, with the reluctant help of Ben, of course. The pleasure of the book lies not so much in the story itself, a!though that is fine, but in the muddle headed confusion and dialogue between these two protagonists.
There is an old fashioned, mix twentieth century feel to the book and this, together with the myriad voices of Ben, the voice over star, is nicely captured by narrator Clifton Satterfield. His assorted voices of Ben himself are a cha!leave well accomplished and his ability to realistically provide a female rendering for H.J. is excellently performed. His timing, too, brings out the humour. A good performance all round which definitely enhances the story.
I am really enjoying this series, both books of which I downloaded, without any commitment, for free from FABC. My thanks to the rights holder for making this possible. Sadly, there seem to be no more Ben Spanner mysteries available: I would definitely purchase any others should they appear and am going to investigate other works by the author, Ron Goulart. I heartily recommend Now He Thinks He's Dead - who could resist this title, anyway? - it's short, colourful and fun.
"You can't run through molasses."
This is book two in the Ben Spanner series and as delightfully amusing as Book one. Spanner is a successful voice actor with the annoying habit of frequent!y using alternate voices in his everyday conversation. Once married, then divorced, he and his ex-wife H.J. (Helen Joanne) are back together again, expecting soon to remarry, as she moves her possessions from her cottage to his house. She is an artist, painting covers for paperback books, with an unfortunate habit of discovering dead bodies - this time, that of her friend and editor - and the even more unfortunate habit of stubbornly investigating the causes for herself, with the reluctant help of Ben, of course. The pleasure of the book lies not so much in the story itself, a!though that is fine, but in the muddle headed confusion and dialogue between these two protagonists.
There is an old fashioned, mix twentieth century feel to the book and this, together with the myriad voices of Ben, the voice over star, is nicely captured by narrator Clifton Satterfield. His assorted voices of Ben himself are a cha!leave well accomplished and his ability to realistically provide a female rendering for H.J. is excellently performed. His timing, too, brings out the humour. A good performance all round which definitely enhances the story.
I am really enjoying this series, both books of which I downloaded, without any commitment, for free from FABC. My thanks to the rights holder for making this possible. Sadly, there seem to be no more Ben Spanner mysteries available: I would definitely purchase any others should they appear and am going to investigate other works by the author, Ron Goulart. I heartily recommend Now He Thinks He's Dead - who could resist this title, anyway? - it's short, colourful and fun.
June 19, 2020
The plot is good, she has a habit of finding dead bodies. He keeps conversations going with his many voice over talent as a comic. Good narration added, and brought the humor out, well done. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
July 23, 2023
The second and, sadly, last book in this series, perhaps not quite as fun as the first but still an excellent read. Good mystery, good characters.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews