Book reviews from RichardALupoff

The Passionate Princess

by Jack Woodford

Jack Woodford (1894-1971)was one of the most accomplished (and eccentric) novelists of his time. He quarreled with the publishing industry, he was attacked as a pornographer, he had been a heroin addict and alcoholic, he spent time in a Federal penitentiary for mail fraud and ended his days (by his own description) living in a comfortable suite in a mental hospital. His books on writing remain some of the best ever published on that subject. His "sleaze" novels were packaged sensationally but in fact, at least by modern standards, are little more than tepid romances. A talented novelist, a true character in his own right, and THE PASSIONATE PRINCESS is one of his most entertaining outings!

Home Is the Sailor

by Day Keene

Day Keene was one of the most talented writers to make the pulp-to-paperback transition in the 1950s. Along the way he wrote for radio and the screen, as well. A clever plotter and smooth stylist, he was largely and undeservedly forgotten for many years. He seems to be enjoying a long-overdue renaissance. I love his work and recommend HOME IS THE SAILOR or any of the recent collections of his short stories and novelettes that have appeared recently. A fine, talented writer -- if you've never read him before, and you like hardboiled writing, you're in for a treat!

A Murder Coming

by Peter Sellers

A MURDER COMING is a marvelous selection of the early tales by James Powell, an author who seems to restrict himself to short stories. He appears mainly in magazines, most often in ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE. His stories are all witty, subtle, funny, and most often equipped with a marvelous surprise at their conclusion. There's no one quite like Powell, but for a reasonable comparison I would suggest the late Avram Davidson. The reader should note that there is another James Powell, author of many hardboiled mysteries and westerns. also a talented writer but not the same person at all. After far too long a wait, "our" James Powell has another collection in the works, titled A POCKETFUL OF NOSES, coming from prestigious small press Crippen & Landru. I can hardly wait! -- Richard A. Lupoff

A Study in Terror

by Theodore Sturgeon

The authorship of this very odd novel is itself a mystery wrapped in an enigma. Based on the 1965 film, original screenplay by the late Derek Ford, the central story involves Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson trying to solve the Jack the Ripper murders. The novelization is credited to Ellery Queen, who appears as a character in the book -- but not the film. However, it is widely believed that the book was actually written by the late Paul Fairman. In any case, certainly not Theodore Sturgeon, as sometimes reported. The book is at best mediocre Holmes and not very good Queen, although certainly readable. Still a most intriguing oddity and a nice item for the Holmes or Queen collector.