Pleasure Bound

Diverse Tales from the Edwardian Underground

The tales relate the adventures of three frolicsome groups who have converted a lush tropical island into a haven for devotees of voluptuous pleasure. Various indiscretions cause the group to flee England aboard a well appointed yacht. Then piracy the high seas leads all to become captives on he island

Contents

Maudie

Pleasure Bound: Afloat

Pleasure Bound: Ashore

Printing History

copyright 1969

Grove Press

March 1982

ISBN 394 17977

2014 USA Fiction Challenge: Kansas

The next stop on the 2014 USA Fiction Challenge is the state of Kansas

Presenting

Hot Summer, Cold Murder by Gaylord Dold

Mitch Roberts, a Wichita private detective, is hired by Carl Plummer to find his missing son, but the investigation leads straight to murder

 A heat wave hit Wichita and private eye Mitch Roberts was steamed. He'd been planning on a cold beer and the ball game when the call came in. The guy on the phone sounded as inviting as a dame with a headache but Roberts headed out to South Broadway to take a look-see. Wichita private detective Mitch Roberts is asked by a distraught father to find his son. The search leads him into a dead-end of drug dealing and crooked cops, not to mention the dangerous Carlotta Granger, daughter of a police captain.

 

Printing History

Written by Gaylord Dold

Avon Books

ISBN 380 75058

1987

E Book

June 2014

Women of The Resistance by John Slater

Women spies suffered death by slow torture at the hands of the Gestapo

Cover by Col Cameron

Major Rittman's cold stare stare lingered on the French girl's beautiful face

"I have seen women spies, 

or what has remained of them,

after treatment at the Gestapo's hands."

His words underlined the hideous fate......

........death by slow torture.....

that awaited lovely Annette,

wild, beautiful Germaine,

and every loyal French woman

who dared work for the resistance

...yet they dared to oppose the Hun.

Printing History

Written by Ray Slattery

Horwitz Publications, Inc

John Slater #22

1965

Un Asesino Entre Nosotros by Carter Brown

Mexican Edition of

A Murderer Among Us

The original posts below
 May 22nd, 2011
A Murderer Among Us

October 25th, 2012

The Murderer Among Us

Printing History

Written by Alan G Yates (1923-1985)

Mexico

Editorial Diana S.A.

#298

1963

Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler

Featuring Los Angeles private eye Philip Marlowe

Private detective Philip Marlowe is investigating a dead-end case when he sees a felon, by the name of Moose Malloy, barging into a nightclub looking for his ex-girlfriend Velma Valento. The club has changed owners, so no one now there knows anything about her. Malloy ends up killing the manager and escaping. The case of the murder of the club manager is given to a detective named Nulty with a reputation for laziness and incompetence. Marlowe advises Nulty to look for Malloy's girlfriend but Nulty prefers to rely on finding Malloy based on his size and loud clothes. Marlowe decides to follow up and look for the girl.

Printing History

Written by Raymond Thornton Chandler (1888-1959)

Alfred A. Knopf

1940

The Films

The Falcon Takes over

1942

Directed by Irving Reis

 Starring

George Sanders

 Helen Gilbert

Murder, My Sweet

1944

Directed by Edward Dmytryk

Starring

Dick Powell 

Claire Trevor

From Murder In March Madness
Murder, My Sweet 

Farewell, My Lovely

1975

Directed by Dick Richards

Starring
Robert Mitchum
Charlotte Rampling

The Golden Serpent (Revised) by Manning Lee Stokes

A master plot to flood the U.S.economy with millions of counterfeit money

Take a Mexican political party that demands the territorial return of Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

George Gross Cover

Add a Chinese paper factory exporting a fine engraver's five dollar portrait of Abe Lincoln.

 

Stir with a countess who's made a fortune in cosmetics and is running a strange little kingdom deep in the Mexican jungle.

Mix in the CIA and AXE, prickling each other's sensitivities while the nation and the highest men in government are stumped to stop the ruin of the American economy.

Suddenly the meeting between the CIA and Mr Hawk, the ingredients are mixed together into a little pill handed to Nick Carter. The instructions were very clear, straighten things out or swallow the deadly pill.

Printing History

 Written by Manning Lee Stokes (1911-1976)

1st Award Printing (A 216F ) 1967

2nd Award Printing (A 386X) 1968

3rd Award Printing (A 642X) 1970

4th Award Printing (A 929S) 1972

5th Award Printing (AN 1102) 1973

6th Award Printing (AN 1102) 1974

Mayflower Printing (2987-8) 1967

Mayflower Reprint (583 11411 3 2) 1969

Mayflower Reprint (583 11411 3 2) 1970 (2)

Mayflower Reprint (583 11411 3 3) 1974

Ace Charter Reprint (441 29736-6) August 1979

Bonus Covers

 Note

This title was originally published on November 16, 2010

The Golden Serpent

To Catch A Thief (1955)

Based on the 1952 novel by David Dodge (1910-1974) 

Directed by Alfred Hitchcock 

Screenplay by John Michael Hayes

Cary Grant (1904-1986) stars as a retired cat burglar who has to save his reformed reputation by catching a new burglar preying on the wealthy tourists of the French Riviera. Grace Kelly (1929-1982) stars opposite him as his romantic interest in her final film with Hitchcock. Robie's plan is to prove his innocence by catching the new cat burglar in the act, so he enlists the aid of an insurance man H. H. Hughson (played by John Williams). He is an Englishman who reluctantly obtains a list of the most expensive jewels currently on the Riviera. The first owners listed are Jessie Stevens (played by Jessie Royce Landis) and her daughter Frances (played by Grace Kelly). So Robie strikes up an acquaintance with them.

2014 USA Fiction Challenge: Iowa

My home state of Iowa is next up in the 2014 USA Fiction Challenge

Presenting

The Silken Nightmare

by Carter Brown

Danny Boyd travels to Swinburn Iowa

Grant Roberts Cover

Her name was Midnight.

She was dangerous, delicious, just like a dream.

The kind where you wake up screaming.

"If you can resist me, you are a free man."

Midnight was as deadly as a black widow with the mating urge. Her raven hair danced over her bare white shoulders as her body twisted and taunted in sinuous invitation. Danny Boyd, toughest private eye in the business, nearly lost the dare. A split second before be belted her in the jaw. The reigning queen of the hoods plans a big crime, and in big time. When she takes Danny prisoner.
 

Robert McGinnis Cover

Printing History
Written by Alan G Yates (1923-1985)

Horwitz Publications Inc

Numbered Series #115 (1963, January 1964)

International Edition Series #47 (May 1965)

New American Library

Signet Books

G2400 (December 1963)

T5277 (1972)

New English Library
1964

Other Covers

Mexico
 1965

 

Estonia
2003

Japan
1964

Germany
1966

 

Finland
1966

Trivia
The Finland cover was recycled from a Matt Helm novel The Silencers from 1962

 

South Of The Bordello (First Edition) by Rod Gray

This title was originally posted on January 28th 2013

South Of The Bordello by Rod Gray

Paul Rader (1906-1986) Cover

Oh Oh Sex Does Her Thing

Eve Drum goes down to Mexico to infiltrate the weirdest bunch of drug taking terrorists ever bribed by Red Chinese gold. Know as the Walking Dead, and led by a sinister, sex crazed Cuban, El Aparecido, their aim is to change Uncle Sam's image from world leader to dirty old man. Eve's assignment is to stop them any way she can. Oh Oh Sex gets the job done in her own inimitable way. The Wold's Sexist Spy was never in better form, and what a form she has. As this merry, murderous caper races from Tijuana brothels to the final showdown in the Zombie HQ. This one has everything, gorgeous girls in mortal combat, torture by aphrodisiacs, human sacrifices, and supernatural horror. As usual, Eve handles everything that comes along, and man, what a way to go.

Printing History

written by Gardner F Fox (1911-1986)

First Series

The Lady From L.U.S.T. #8

Tower 44-171 (1969) 

The Name Of The Game (1968-1971)

The Name Of The Game (1968-1971)

The series was based on the 1966 TV movie Fame Is the Name of the Game, directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Tony Franciosa. The Name of the Game rotated among three characters working at Howard Publications, a large magazine publishing company. Jeff Dillon (played by Tony Franciosa), who was a crusading reporter with People magazine (this was before a real-life People magazine)  Glenn Howard (played by Gene Barry, who took over for George Macready, e had originated the role in the earlier film). And finally Dan Farrell (played by Robert Stack), the editor of Crime magazine. Serving as a common connection was Susan Saint James as Peggy Maxwell, the editorial assistant for each.

Cast

 Created by Jennings Lang

Tony Franciosa as Jeff Dillon (first and second seasons; 3 episodes in 3rd season.)
Gene Barry as Glenn Howard
Robert Stack as Dan Farrell
Robert Culp as Paul Tyler (third season, 2 episodes only)
Peter Falk as Lewis Corbett (third season, 1 episode only)
Robert Wagner as David Corey (third season, 1 episode only)
Darren McGavin as Sam Hardy (second season, 1 episode only)
Vera Miles as Hilary Vanderman (second season, 1 episode only)
Susan Saint James as Peggy Maxwell (supporting role, one co-lead role)
Ben Murphy as Joe Sample (supporting role)
Mark Miller as Ross Craig (supporting role)

Martin Kane, Private Eye (1949-1954)

Martin Kane, Private Eye (1949-1954)

 

Radio

Martin Kane, Private Eye began as radio series (1949-1952) airing on on the Mutual Broadcasting System, William Gargan was in the title role as N.Y. city private detective Martin Kane. When it moved to NBC Radio in July 1951, Lloyd Nolan took over the title role until mid-1952. Lee Tracy portrayed Kane for the remainder of the radio series, ending late December 1952.

Television

Gargan, Nolan, Tracy, and Mark Stevens played the title role live television, airing on NBC Television Network from September 1949 until mid June 1954. The series was sponsored by United States Tobacco Company, which integrated commercials into the detective drama by having Martin Kane enter his favorite tobacco shop where he discussed pipe tobaccos and cigarettes with the tobacconist Happy McMann (layed by Walter Kinsella), before leaving to continue the mystery narrative. At the start and finish of the show, Kane was shown in shadow, lighting his pipe.

Comic Book

The series had a 1950 tie-in comic book, Martin Kane, Private Eye 

2014 USA Fiction Challenge: Indiana

The State of Indiana is the next stop in the 2014 USA Fiction Challenge

Presenting

Deliver Us To Evil

by Joe Hensley

A Dan Robak Mystery

Donald Robak, a crusading defense attorney and state legislator, in Bington, Indiana:

Printing History

Written by Joe L Hensley (1926-2007)

Doubleday

1971

Day Of The Assassin by Jack Canon

Only Nick Carter can stop the slaughter when 

a corrupt corporation unleashes the dogs of war....

Killmaster #247

General Dillon has ambition. He sees himself as a twentieth century Napoleon. Soon his mercenary army will invade Madagascar, overthrow the government, and set up a private kingdom. Nick Carter suspects the Comex Corporation is backing the coup. And as the clock ticks toward Dillon's invasion, Nick must take on  an army of highly paid death merchants in an international maze of big business and double cross. In a race that ends in a maelstrom of blood politics and vengeance.

Printing History

Written by Jack Canon

Berkley Publishing Group

Jove Books

Published by arrangement with The Conde Nast Publications, Inc.

ISBN 515 09958

March 1989

It Walks by Night by John Dickson Carr

A murder mystery complete with a severed head

A closely guarded room in a Paris gambling house, a mangled body on the floor, a severed head staring from the centre of the carpet.....someone had entered that room, killed and escaped all within ten minutes. Ten minutes after the Duc de Saligny entered the card room, the police burst in, and found he had been murdered. Both doors to the card room had been watched yet the murderer had gone in and out without being seen by anyone.

Printing History

John Dickson Carr (1906-1977)

Harper Brothers

1930

 

Alias A Lady by Carter Brown

When a dame won't talk it means one of two things

She's either dumb or she's.......

Printing History

 Written by Alan G Yates (1923-1985)

Transport Publishing Company
for and on behalf of Horwitz Publications, Inc

Novelette Series

"Lovely" Mystery

 1952

First Collectors' Series

Volume 3
1954
w/ Kiss Life Goodbye & Your Alibi Is Showing

Second Collectors' Series
Volume 1 Number 28
1959
w/ Stripper You've Sinned

Cover by Moira Bentram

D.O.A. (1950)

Plot revolves around a doomed man's quest to find out who has poisoned him, and why.

 

 The film opens with Frank Bigelow (played by Edmond O'Brien) walking through the hallway of a police station to report his own murder. Oddly, the police almost seem to have been expecting him and already know who he is. With a few days to live at most, Bigelow sets out to untangle the events behind his impending death, interrupted occasionally by phone calls from Paula (played by Pamela Britton) . She provides the first clue: a man named Eugene Phillips had tried to contact him but died the previous day, supposedly a suicide. The key to the mystery is a bill of sale for what turns out to be stolen iridium. Bigelow had notarized the document for Eugene Phillips six months earlier. The film ends with Bigelow finishes telling his story at the police station and dies, his last word being "Paula." The police detective taking down the report instructs that his file be marked "D.O.A."

Cast

 Directed by Rudolph Maté

Edmond O'Brien as Frank Bigelow

Pamela Britton as Paula Gibson

 Luther Adler as Majak

Lynn Baggett as Mrs. Phillips

William Ching as Halliday

Henry Hart as Stanley Phillips

Beverly Garland as Miss Foster

Neville Brand as Chester

Laurette Luez as Marla Rakubian

 Virginia Lee as Jeannie

The Adventure Of The Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

One of the 56 short Sherlock Holmes stories

And is the seventh story of twelve in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

Holmes must discover how the Countess of Morcars stolen jewel came to be inside a Christmas goose! The mystery begins with a street fight and ends with a full confession. Join the wild goose chase with Sherlock Holmes.

Television Series

   The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes.

 Episode 7

Appeared on June 5, 1984 

Granada Television

BBC Series

Episode 16

December 23, 1968

Printing History

Written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930)

Strand Magazine 

January 1892

The Man Without a Country by Edward Everett Hale

This the story of American Army lieutenant Philip Nolan. He renounces his country during a trial for treason and is consequently sentenced to spend the rest of his days at sea without so much as a word of news about the United States.

  A young United States Army lieutenant, Philip Nolan, who develops a friendship with the visiting Aaron Burr. When Burr is tried for treason, Nolan is tried as an accomplice. During his testimony, he bitterly renounces his nation, angrily shouting, "I wish I may never hear of the United States again!" The judge was completely shocked at this announcement, and on convicting him, granted him his wish. Lieutenant Nolan is to spend the rest of his life aboard United States Navy warships, in exile, with no right ever again to set foot on U.S. soil, and with explicit orders that no one shall ever mention his country to him again. Deprived of a homeland, Nolan slowly and painfully learns the true worth of his country. He misses it more than his friends or family, more than art or music or love or nature. Without it, he is nothing. Dying aboard a warship, he shows his room to an officer named Danforth. in this room is a "a little shrine" of patriotism. The Stars and Stripes are draped around a picture of George Washington. Over his bed, Nolan has painted a bald eagle, with lightning "blazing from his beak" and claws grasping the globe. At the foot of his bed is an outdated map of the United States, showing many of its old territories that had, unbeknownst to him, been admitted to statehood. Nolan smiles, "Here, you see, I have a country!"  When Nolan is found dead later that day, he is found to have drafted a suitably patriotic epitaph for himself. The epitaph states: In memory of PHILIP NOLAN, "'Lieutenant in the Army of the United States. He loved his country as no other man has loved her; but no man deserved less at her hands.'"

The Films
1917
Starring Florence La Badie

1973
Directed by Delbert Mann

Cliff Robertson as Philip Nolan
Beau Bridges as Frederick Ingham
Peter Strauss as Arthur Danforth
Robert Ryan as Lt. Cmdr. Vaughan,

Printing History

Written by Edward Everett Hale (1822-1909)

Atlantic Monthly

December 1863

2014 USA Fiction Challenge: Illinois

The next stop in the 2014 USA Fiction Challenge is the wonderful state of Illinois. 

We are currently a quarter of the way through the challenge.

Bitter Medicine

by Sara Paretsky

Chicago private eye V.I. Warshawski knows from the start that Consuelo Alvarado's baby is trouble.  Consuelo is sixteen diabetic, and the daughter of a friend.  When she goes into labor too early, even V.I.'s wild drive to get her to the hospital can't save either Consuelo or her child.  Soon V.I. is investigating possible malpractice at the emergency room  and falling for a doctor who works there.  Mixing business and love is always bad medicine, but V.I. finds herself listening to her heart, not her head.  And when a brutal murder and the violent destruction of a women's clinic put her at the center of a very dirty conspiracy, justice may be the only remedy for a hurt that cuts deep, and chills right to the bone.

Printing History

Written by Sara Paretsky (1947-)

William Morrow

Victor Gollancz

Hardcover

April 1987

ISBN 688 06448

Ballantine Books

Paperback

May 1988

ISBN 345 34722

 

Dell

Paperback

September 1999

ISBN 440 23476

Invitation To Death by Jack Canon

Nick Carter Leads A Gang Of High-Tech Thieves 

On A Top Secret Heist

Killmaster #246

International Playboy Rene Charmont masterminds the theft of a briefcase crammed with U.S. aerospace secrets worth a fortune. To celebrate his triumph, he throws the party of the year at his remote French chateau. The guests include millionaires, killers, Soviet spies, and some of the world's most beautiful women. Nick Carter, AXE top agent, doesn't need an invitation to tangle with Charmont and his KGB handlers. He crashes into high society with the help of a few friends the best thieves money can buy. 

It's going to be one hell of a party

Printing History

Written by Jack Canon

Berkley Publishing Group

Jove Books

Published by arrangement with The Conde Nast Publications, Inc.

ISBN 515 09923

February 1989

In Search of Mattie Hackett by Emeric W. Spooner

In Search of Mattie Hackett: A True Maine Unsolved Murder Mystery
by Emeric W. Spooner

Maine is well known for its murder mysteries. Most have heard of Sarah Ware, others who read true crime; know of the Smuttynose Island Murders. In 1905, after both of these cases from Maine, were but a memory, another horrible murder occurred in a small town in Maine. Few have heard of the 17 year old Mattie Hackett from Readfield. In its day, it was compared to the biggest Unsolved Murder Cases Maine had ever seen. Papers all over the country, some as far away as California carried the story of what happened to poor Mattie Hackett one night in August 1905. This is the true account of the events surrounding the murder of Mattie Hackett. 

Printing History

 Emeric W. Spooner

CreateSpace Independent Publishing

May 2010 

ISBN
1 45158839 9

Today In History: June 6, 2014

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy France

The Allied invasion of the European continent through Normandy began about 12:15 a.m. on June 6, 1944 (D-day). The plan, known as Operation Overlord, had been prepared since 1943; supreme command over its execution was entrusted to Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower. Just after midnight on June 6, British and American airborne forces landed behind the German coastal fortifications known as the Atlantic Wall. They were followed after daybreak by the seaborne troops of the U.S. 1st Army and British 2d Army. While the naval guns and Allied bombers assaulted the beach fortifications, the men swarmed ashore. At the base of the Cotentin peninsula the U.S. forces established two beachheads, Utah Beach and and Omaha Beach, the scene of the fiercest fighting. British troops, who had landed near Bayeux on three beaches called Gold, Juno, and Sword, advanced quickly but were stopped before Caen.