Similar style to Orrie Hitt but with more violence. Plot was complex but not without cause. A character glossary proved useful in keeping track of theSimilar style to Orrie Hitt but with more violence. Plot was complex but not without cause. A character glossary proved useful in keeping track of the players and their plight....more
An abundance of purple prose padded the page count and proved a distraction from the plot. Akin to storytelling by an earlier Koontz but marred by theAn abundance of purple prose padded the page count and proved a distraction from the plot. Akin to storytelling by an earlier Koontz but marred by the aforementioned. ...more
"You know why Carl couldn't get a really first-class driver for love nor money?" "You tell me," I said. "It's his cars," she said softly. "The Hauptman
"You know why Carl couldn't get a really first-class driver for love nor money?" "You tell me," I said. "It's his cars," she said softly. "The Hauptman Specials - they aren't quite right somehow. They kill people!"
Published five years after the first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, Carter Brown's ICE COLD IN ERMINE attempts to leverage the spy bandwagon, rather than sticking to the tried and true private eye formula the author was know for, this foray into unchartered water delivers a mixed bag of candy, some sweet and sugar-loaded, others sour and hard to swallow.
Barney Blain is an American secret agent (this we only know because it's painstakingly played out in the opening stanza) who doubles as a world renowned racing car driver (what a combo!). Just so happens his boss (with whom we know very little about) has the perfect mission for Blain; infiltrate a racing team to find out why their cars are blowing up and killing the drivers. Luckily, there's not a whole lot needed to do to infiltrate, as Blain's legend is known across the globe and he's automatically thrust into the world of motor sport faster than you can say Hauptman Special!
No sooner had Blain landed in Europe, he's already on the lookout for some female attention, exploding death cars be damned! But, oh, who should he happen to run into? None other than the beautiful Julie Adams, also an American secret agent, also an expert racing car driver! Who knew?
I looked at Julie Adams standing there beside me. "I'll let you into a secret." I told her. "There are other types of chassis that appeal besides those belonging to an automobile!" "You amaze me!" she said coldly.
Fair to say the feeling isn't mutual. Never mind as Julie is promptly murdered, much to Blain's annoyance, I mean, how can he focus on winning a race with the distraction of murder! While there's not a lot of investigating into Julie's untimely death, the private eye formula rears its head a little here in-between hot laps and brawling pit crew members.
The actual plot, however, the core premise of the book; those exploding death machines, isn't really explored any further. It's a means to an end, that being, the author seemingly decided to give up on one thread in favor of something new; cross continent trafficking (trafficking of what? not sure, we don't delve that deep).
This new plot, Blain gives just as much attention as the last. None. But it's still entertaining nonetheless; if anything, the lack of a consistent plot gives the book a little extra charm.
I'm not sure if there are other Barney Blain books by Carter Brown out there, if so, I'll definitely hunt them down. Bond this isn't, but that's ok. ...more
"He killed my father!" She said tautly. "He wanted me to get his money! The he was going to get rid of me, wasn't he?"
Martin Bern is a private detecti
"He killed my father!" She said tautly. "He wanted me to get his money! The he was going to get rid of me, wasn't he?"
Martin Bern is a private detective taking a well earned vacation when he stumbles upon a horrific car crash at the bottom of an embankment. What had been s nice drive on route to his hotel turned into a murder mystery involving more shady characters than you could point a finger at.
Published in 1958, SO LOVELY SHE LIES predates the series protagonists' Carter Brown is so well known for (Al Wheeler, Danny Boyd, Rick Holman, Mavis Seidlitz etc.). Martin Bern, is a stock standard run of the mill private eye who, aside from having an easy way with the women, doesn't have one iota of personality, nor is there any character depth. Insert generic gun toting hero here.
Despite the lack of any character to Bern, the story is entertaining enough and has a nice twist at the end. I got the sense that Carter Brown was just starting to find his groove with SO LOVELY SHE LIES but was a pains to rush through all conceivable twists and turns, as bodies dropped quicker than the wanton women's under garments leaving loads of loose threads as if murder didn't really matter.
...he was holding the girl in his arms, holding her face hard against his shoulder, feeling the great sobs shaking her. But he, curiously, in the face
...he was holding the girl in his arms, holding her face hard against his shoulder, feeling the great sobs shaking her. But he, curiously, in the face of this ugly death, he felt in himself even more strongly that bright surging of life.
It had begun with Gabriella, hadn't it, her urchin cut hair and those deep dark -sunk eyes?
Noir, this is not. Despite the tantalizing synopsis and equally stunning cover art, the title is very much misleading. THE MAN WHO CHOSE DEATH, published in 1960 is dated, slow paced and often confusing (at least at the beginning). Turns out the story is about an art heist... and not multiple murders...(prominent in the early portion of the book before that part of the plot floats off in the ether) and the protagonist isn't a private eye, police officer, security guard, or art enthusiast, rather a draftsman holidaying in Florence who happens to be in the wrong place at the right time..
'I'll give you your money...when you've told me what I want to know.' 'And what's that? What do you want to know?' 'I want to know where the painting is.' He laughed. 'You're crazy. I don't know where it is.'
The heist, is a complex piece of conspiracy, little method to the madness is provided until the prize is ripped off the wrapping paper in one swift chapter completely randomly.
The girl spoke softly...in Italian. 'I have come to warn you, Signora Rawlinson. I know about you, and what you have done. Of that I do not say anything to you, of your wickedness, I only say to you this, that I know. Ans I warn you that if you try again to do me harm, then others also will know.'
There are better pulps out there. Sadly the one of the best things about this lovely 1960's Corgi edition, cover aside, is the advertisement for MY GUN IS QUICK by Mickey Spillane....more
Had the hallmarks of a traditional Laymon; well developed characters and great dialogue. Read more like a teen horror novel at times (with some adult Had the hallmarks of a traditional Laymon; well developed characters and great dialogue. Read more like a teen horror novel at times (with some adult content thrown in to keep it out of reach of PG territory). Enjoyable but more of a slow burn than balls to the wall horror.
Merged review:
Had the hallmarks of a traditional Laymon; well developed characters and great dialogue. Read more like a teen horror novel at times (with some adult content thrown in to keep it out of reach of PG territory). Enjoyable but more of a slow burn than balls to the wall horror....more
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