Noob question - suggest some titles?

[Greg]

Long time crime fiction fan here, but I'm a newcomer to pulps. Can anyone suggest titles or series where the focus is not so much on organized crime, spies, war or slam-bang action, but more on unraveling a mystery? I like elements such as yellow peril, abandoned parts of the city, Chinatown mysteries, and the threats of hauntings, ghosts, gothic or horror chills and the supposed supernatural. Even if it all turns out to have a naturalized explanation.

Any suggestions? I've never read new pulp, but it could be new or vintage, either one. Thanks!

[Shannon]

My favorite author is H.P. Lovecraft. His writting style is very detail oriented focusing on the Cthulhu mythos. It definitely will be different then your organized crime and focuses on trying to figure things out. He wrote mainly short stories so you tend to read a collection. The first story I read by him was the "Call of Cthulhu" another good one is "At the Mountains of Madness."

hope that gives you some options. if you like those stories look for other stories he wrote that has elements of things you like in there. Lovecraft was influenced by Poe and Stephen King was influenced by lovecraft.

[Greg]

Thanks! Any hero pulps have these elements? Assorted Shadow radio shows have these elements, so there's hope! I'll also try some Wu Fang.

[Vincent]

You could also try Robert E. Howard's weird detective fiction, particularly Tales of Weird Menace, which combine the Yellow Menace with the supernatural, and Steve Harrison's Casebook, which is similar, but feature's REH's Steve Harrison, a detective.

[Greg]

You guys rock - thanks!!

[Jim]

I just finished listening to Infamous by Ace Atkins. 1930's gangsters & the main mystery is if/when a couple is going to get caught. It was interesting & might fit.

I'll second Vincent on the REH stuff. Excellent.

A favorite of mine are the Quarry books by Max Allan Collins.

[W.]

As far as New Pulp goes, other than my stories, I would check out Adam Garcia's Green Lama, and anything by I A Watson. Pro Se Press and Airship 27 are two publishers chock full of New Pulp. They are easy to find online or at Amazon.

[Greg]

I haven't begun with new pulp yet. Is there a site that has an overall intro to it?

[W.]

Try:
http://www.newpulpfiction.com/p/publi...

[Greg]

Just what I was looking for!

[Michael]

You might also try "The Spider, Master of Men" old pulp similar to the Shadow but better in my opinion.
Also if you like spies then Donald Hamilton's old Matt Helm series is good. I've only read one Perry Mason story and it rocked! I'm guessing that Erle Stanley Gardner may be the best at unraveling a good mystery.

[Greg]

Thanks Michael, I'm good when it comes to paperback originals - I have thousands of them.

The next book on my list is a Spider (after the non-pulp _Pronto_ by Elmore Leonard that I'm reading now!) From the little I've read so far, I really like Page's energetic, expressive writing!

[Vincent]

I've read almost all the Perry Mason mysteries by Erle Stanley Gardner, Michael (85 of them!). They are wonderful.

[Greg]

I'm reading "Murder's Black Prince," a Spider novel. Loving it!

[Michael]

Greg wrote: "Thanks Michael, I'm good when it comes to paperback originals - I have thousands of them.

The next book on my list is a Spider (after the non-pulp _Pronto_ by Elmore Leonard that I'm reading now..."
I love the Spider! I want to second Vincent and Jim on the Robert E Howard stuff as well. He is my favorite. His story "Skull Face" outdoes "The Insidious Fu Manchu"!

[Michael]

Vincent wrote: "I've read almost all the Perry Mason mysteries by Erle Stanley Gardner, Michael (85 of them!). They are wonderful."
I don't doubt it Vincent. I intend to read more of them. Can't believe I passed them by all of these years after watching all of those Perry Mason TV shows!

[Greg]

Skull Face - I'll look for it!

[Joseph]

Don't forget Achmed Abdullah (Wildside Press did a collection a few years back, Fear and Other Stories from the Pulps) and Sax Rohmer (who did a lot of stuff in addition to the Fu Manchu stories).

[Greg]

Joseph, I have never tried an Achmed Abdullah story, but they sound fascinating! I'm already a fan of Sax Rohmer!!

Now reading a neo-pulp (my first), Manchurian Shadows (The Mysterious Adventures of Dr. Shadows), by Teel James Glenn.

[Andy]

How about the Fu Manchu series?

[Joseph]

Andy wrote: "How about the Fu Manchu series?"

I haven't read any myself; it's on my list, but my list just keeps growing ...

Over at Black Gate William Patrick Maynard has been making his way through the stories -- here's the most recent installment: http://www.blackgate.com/2014/03/07/b...

[Fritz]

Saw this at http://www.pulpcomingattractions.com/ and thought this new-old publication of Cap Fury might be of interest. (As I can't find a link to the section of interest, I'll post the description here, otherwise, follow the link and search for "Cap Fury"):

Anthony Tollin's Sanctum Books

At the printer and shipping later this month!

CAP FURY Volume 1: "The Red Heart Pearls" and "Black Daylight" — plus Sheridan Doome, Naval Investigator
In the two-fisted tradition of Doc Savage, Captain John Fury and the crew of his super-ship The Whirlwind battle modern-day piracy in two thrilling novels by Laurence Donovan writing as "Wallace Brooker." First, after the law fails, Cap Fury follows a trail of vengeance to his brother's murderers in "The Red Heart Pearls." Then, "Black Daylight" strikes at high noon, enveloping thousands in terror and suffering, and propelling Cap Fury on an urgent mission to Mexico's Sierra Madras. BONUS: An action-packed adventure of Sheridan Doome from the back pages of The Shadow Magazine! This double-novel special collector's edition sho wcases the original cover art by Lawrence Toney and interior illustrations by Harry Kirchner, plus historical commentary by Will Murray. (Sanctum Books) 978-1-60877-133-2 Softcover, 7x10, 128 pages, B&W, $14.95

[Mary JL]

Doc Savage from 1933 to 1936 was at its best! The later stories---while some are quite good---lack the vigor and inventiveness of the first three years.

You probably do not want to read all 181 stories but try a few if you have not.Land of Always-Night is my personal favorite!

[Galaxy Press]

The Red Dragon

[Rob]

Greg wrote: "Long time crime fiction fan here, but I'm a newcomer to pulps. Can anyone suggest titles or series where the focus is not so much on organized crime, spies, war or slam-bang action, but more on un..."

May I recommend books from Airship 27? A full listing of our books with links to their Amazon pages are at http://robmdavis.com/Airship27Hangar/...

For what you're looking for I would recommend the Sgt. Janus books by author Jim beard, but there are others on the site you may find interesting.

Thanks for your consideration.

*** Rob Davis ***
Art Director/Designer Airship 27 Productions

[Galaxy Press]

Brass Keys to Murder

♥,
Cat at Galaxy Press