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Fredric Brown in the Detective Pulps #5
The Freak Show Murders
Book by Brown, Fredric
206 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1985
About the author
Fredric Brown
814 books359 followersFredric Brown was an American science fiction and mystery writer. He was one of the boldest early writers in genre fiction in his use of narrative experimentation. While never in the front rank of popularity in his lifetime, Brown has developed a considerable cult following in the almost half century since he last wrote. His works have been periodically reprinted and he has a worldwide fan base, most notably in the U.S. and Europe, and especially in France, where there have been several recent movie adaptations of his work. He also remains popular in Japan.
Never financially secure, Brown - like many other pulp writers - often wrote at a furious pace in order to pay bills. This accounts, at least in part, for the uneven quality of his work. A newspaperman by profession, Brown was only able to devote 14 years of his life as a full-time fiction writer. Brown was also a heavy drinker, and this at times doubtless affected his productivity. A cultured man and omnivorous reader whose interests ranged far beyond those of most pulp writers, Brown had a lifelong interest in the flute, chess, poker, and the works of Lewis Carroll. Brown married twice and was the father of two sons.
Never financially secure, Brown - like many other pulp writers - often wrote at a furious pace in order to pay bills. This accounts, at least in part, for the uneven quality of his work. A newspaperman by profession, Brown was only able to devote 14 years of his life as a full-time fiction writer. Brown was also a heavy drinker, and this at times doubtless affected his productivity. A cultured man and omnivorous reader whose interests ranged far beyond those of most pulp writers, Brown had a lifelong interest in the flute, chess, poker, and the works of Lewis Carroll. Brown married twice and was the father of two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 19, 2018
Despite my taking such a long time to read this relatively short collection of mysteries, I enjoyed it quite a bit!
These mysteries were originally published back between the early 40's and the early 50's. As such, they contain language and slang of the time. This made them even more of a hoot than they otherwise would have been.
Most of the stories here are light in nature, other than the title tale and one other SEE NO MURDER.
I didn't have a chance at solving any of these crimes, but I still had a great time reading these mysteries, especially THE FREAK SHOW MURDERS. (This tale came with a little glossary of carney-speak that made me giggle a bit, especially the description of "cooch" and the "cooch dance".) Brown knows how to plot a good mystery while still keeping his quirky sense of humor and bits of dialogue.
Thank you to my friend over at Booklikes, Tigus, for the gift he sent me a while back, which included this book. I really enjoyed it and I like looking at the cover too. I appreciate it, good sir!
These mysteries were originally published back between the early 40's and the early 50's. As such, they contain language and slang of the time. This made them even more of a hoot than they otherwise would have been.
Most of the stories here are light in nature, other than the title tale and one other SEE NO MURDER.
I didn't have a chance at solving any of these crimes, but I still had a great time reading these mysteries, especially THE FREAK SHOW MURDERS. (This tale came with a little glossary of carney-speak that made me giggle a bit, especially the description of "cooch" and the "cooch dance".) Brown knows how to plot a good mystery while still keeping his quirky sense of humor and bits of dialogue.
Thank you to my friend over at Booklikes, Tigus, for the gift he sent me a while back, which included this book. I really enjoyed it and I like looking at the cover too. I appreciate it, good sir!
July 27, 2015
Volume 5 of Fredric Brown in the Detective Pulps.
This is copy 107 of 350 signed numbered copies, signed by Richard Lupoff.
Contents
5 - Introduction - Richard Lupoff
13 "Double Murder" (Thrilling Detective November 1942)
59 - "Two Biers For Two" (Clues magazine July 1942)
77 - "See No Murder" (New Detective June 1953)
103 - "The Freak Show Murders" (Mystery Magazine May 1943)
181 - "Fugitive Imposter" {Ten Detective Aces January 1941)
193 - "Client Unknown" (Phantom Detective April 1941)
This is copy 107 of 350 signed numbered copies, signed by Richard Lupoff.
Contents
5 - Introduction - Richard Lupoff
13 "Double Murder" (Thrilling Detective November 1942)
59 - "Two Biers For Two" (Clues magazine July 1942)
77 - "See No Murder" (New Detective June 1953)
103 - "The Freak Show Murders" (Mystery Magazine May 1943)
181 - "Fugitive Imposter" {Ten Detective Aces January 1941)
193 - "Client Unknown" (Phantom Detective April 1941)
July 22, 2018
The Freak Show Murders is part of a series of collected short stories by Fredric Brown published by Dennis MacMillan Publications in the 1980's. The stories in this volume were originally published from 1941 - 1953.
The title story is set, as many of Brown's are, in a carnival. It is by far the longest story in the book and, in my opinion, one of the two best. The other is "Double Murder." There are also two stories dealing with gangsters and funeral homes; they are both rather poor.
I like the cover, which illustrates the title story, but what is the Viking doing in a freak show?
The title story is set, as many of Brown's are, in a carnival. It is by far the longest story in the book and, in my opinion, one of the two best. The other is "Double Murder." There are also two stories dealing with gangsters and funeral homes; they are both rather poor.
I like the cover, which illustrates the title story, but what is the Viking doing in a freak show?
December 5, 2014
Vol 5 of some 20 volumes of Fredric Brown pulp stories. This is the third one I've read, and I'd say it's the weakest so far. The title story is pretty much straight-forward, if not for the carnival freak show setting, so at least it's colorful. The final two stories are short and slight.
However the other three make up for it all, especially Double Murder.
I've got access to a few more volumes, and Ill keep going. Brown writes in an easy-going style that's infectious.
However the other three make up for it all, especially Double Murder.
I've got access to a few more volumes, and Ill keep going. Brown writes in an easy-going style that's infectious.
March 19, 2015
A good collection of mysteries from the pulp magazines of the 1940's by a witty Science Fiction writer who is no stranger to slightly black humor.
August 31, 2021
This is a volume in a series of collections of Fredric Brown's pulp stories. These six stories here were published between 1942 and 1953 in magazines like "Thrilling Detective" and "Mystery Magazine".
Brown was a pro. He starts each story with a bang. The first one, "Double Murder", starts with an off duty cop unknowingly buying a drink for a homicidal murderer.
Each story has a vivid setting. Two of the stories are setting at night in a funeral home. I suspect Brown may have been a night clerk in one of them at some point. The title story is set in a carnival freak show. It starts with a vocabulary list of carny terms like "Mitt Camp" and "Doniker" and it is full of inside carnival stuff, and murder.
Each story has a pretty good plot twist. The most likely suspect didn't do it. The odd clue solves the mystery. The bad guy makes one mistake that ends up convicting him.
Brown wrote clever, well constructed, and interesting stories. What's not to like?
Brown was a pro. He starts each story with a bang. The first one, "Double Murder", starts with an off duty cop unknowingly buying a drink for a homicidal murderer.
Each story has a vivid setting. Two of the stories are setting at night in a funeral home. I suspect Brown may have been a night clerk in one of them at some point. The title story is set in a carnival freak show. It starts with a vocabulary list of carny terms like "Mitt Camp" and "Doniker" and it is full of inside carnival stuff, and murder.
Each story has a pretty good plot twist. The most likely suspect didn't do it. The odd clue solves the mystery. The bad guy makes one mistake that ends up convicting him.
Brown wrote clever, well constructed, and interesting stories. What's not to like?
February 21, 2018
Was is it the ghastly cover photo featuring Siamese twins babies joined at the genitals or the other photo of the half uncovered skeleton that drew me to this book? (Never mind that neither of these photos are remotely connected with the actual story.) Was it the Mystery & Erotica label printed on the back cover? (Erotica?) Or was it the actual store itself, ‘Counter Media ‘, 927 Oak Street, NW, Portland, Oregon, with it’s stacks of gay literature, a prono section with the classic ‘10 minute browse limit’ & a plaque reading “support independent bookstores that caused me to purchase this book? No matter, I’m glad I did.
First published in serial form in the early 1940s these are two very good period pieces- the first features a great carney atmosphere while the second, the better, is a very tight and not a little bit chilling tale.
Definitely worth seeking out more of this author.
Addendum 2018
Reread after reading other Fredric Brown stories. Freak Show Murders is a typical Brown carney tale. Light and fun. Hero solves the mystery, gets the girl. The second, A Cat From Siam, is very different from the 5 or 6 Brown stories I have now read. Not as light hearted. A bit eerie.
First published in serial form in the early 1940s these are two very good period pieces- the first features a great carney atmosphere while the second, the better, is a very tight and not a little bit chilling tale.
Definitely worth seeking out more of this author.
Addendum 2018
Reread after reading other Fredric Brown stories. Freak Show Murders is a typical Brown carney tale. Light and fun. Hero solves the mystery, gets the girl. The second, A Cat From Siam, is very different from the 5 or 6 Brown stories I have now read. Not as light hearted. A bit eerie.
December 11, 2019
The Freak Show Murders by Fredric Brown (1940's); Fun collection of murder yarns by Brown...a little dated but a light-hearted easy read...
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews