Graveyard Rats and Others

by Robert E. Howard, Paul Herman (Editor)

Robert E. Howard came into the fiction magazine scene virtually on Dashell Hammett's heels. By that time Howard was a full-fledged professional writer; he was willing to try any marketplace to make a living. Despite an aversion to the detective formula, he wrote the tales in Graveyard Rats during the same years he chronicled the adventures of Conan. This collection features a new introduction by scholar Don Herron, editor of "The Dark Barbarian," the definitive look at the life and work of Robert E. Howard.

Genres: Horror, Pulp, Short Stories

196 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Robert Ervin Howard was an American pulp writer of fantasy, horror, historical adventure, boxing, western, and detective fiction. Howard wrote "over three-hundred stories and seven-hundred poems of raw power and unbridled emotion" and is especially noted for his memorable depictions of "a sombre universe of swashbuckling adventure and darkling horror."

He is well known for having created—in the pages of the legendary Depression-era pulp magazine Weird Tales—the character Conan the Cimmerian, a.k.a. Conan the Barbarian, a literary icon whose pop-culture imprint can only be compared to such icons as Tarzan of the Apes, Count Dracula, Sherlock Holmes, and James Bond.

—Wikipedia

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Paulo "paper books only" · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately apart from two stories I didn't enjoy that much. These are more detective stories than horror stories which is interesting since Howard didn't enjoy detective stuff (this was known through a bunch of letters Howard wrote). There are a couple of interesting tales as I've said like Fangs of Gold or Names in the Black Book which remind me of something................ YES. Death Note.

"Our names are in the Black Book! It is a sentence of death from which there is no appeal!"

Graveyard Rats is always a good story that hints at Indian burial grounds which became so famous in hollywood and other fiction stuff.

Overall it was a OK compilation I guess, some didn't work for me but who knows. They are a bit dated and someone who is keen on racism should not be reading this or else you would be offended, but don't forget that this stories were written in 1930's and don't be a cry baby.

[Stuart Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

REH's detective stories and one other. REH stated he hated detective stories and could hardly bring himself to read one much less write one. But he did write a few, mostly with two fisted detective Steve Harrison, and like everything else he wrote he was a natural. These stories are either of the Fu-Manchu variety or they tend toward horror. The mystery takes a backseat to the action, and the action is nonstop. Entertaining and fast paced, full of gun battles and explosions, this is a nice addition for anyone's REH collection.

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Howard is a brilliant author, but not a particularly good mystery writer. Don Herron (who wrote the introduction to my copy) is a brilliant scholar, but never less so when he's trying to convince me that Howard's work in the field can stand up to Hammett or Chandler. If you honestly don't care for what you're writing, that's going to shine through. So an extra star, just because it's Howard.

Also, I've heard of the yellow peril. This is the first time I've seen it used specifically to apply to Mongolians, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. On the one hand, it's probably good that Howard acknowledges that not all Asians are evil incarnate. On the other hand, Mongolians?

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robert E. Howard, author of Conan, is considered the father of the Sword & Sorcery genre. But many people don't know that he also wrote a little detective fiction. I've read that Howard did not like writing detective fiction and that's a pity, because I love what he did write. He's got a quick, figurative way of getting his points and descriptions across. When I read Howard, I am never bored nor do I have trouble envisioning a scene.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Howard's detective stories are generally weaker than most of his other writing. That said, it's still an enjoyable collection, especially when Howard gives the 'weird" part of the weird detective genre open rein.

[Tyrone Harbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

An spectacular collection of short stories about Howards two fisted detectives!

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent unedited collection of Howard's action and boxing stories. Adventure as only Howard can write it. Highly recommended

[Denise Mcmahon · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read stories written in 1933!