tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post8559130133333052718..comments2024-03-18T11:01:42.459-05:00Comments on Pretty Sinister Books: FFB: What Happened to Hammond? - John Russell FearnJ F Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-82141235974207434122017-07-06T21:06:49.146-05:002017-07-06T21:06:49.146-05:00John Russel Fern was a writing machine. One of the...John Russel Fern was a writing machine. One of these men to whom I stand in awe. Does anyone know how many books he wrote? I'm still working on his "Golden Amazon" series.Tim Mayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16191899859528990414noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-44694127489259061982017-05-07T06:10:39.901-05:002017-05-07T06:10:39.901-05:00'The Tattoo Murders' is one of the better ...'The Tattoo Murders' is one of the better Fearn books I have read over the years, so I recommend it to you, John. Although the author succeeded in establishing a cult following, it is encouraging that he is getting new attention from readers of your blog and that of Tomcat. And it has become easier to find titles since the republication of many of his detective stories in recent years. Another book, published as a John Slate selection, but without an appearance from Black Maria, concerns a more standard locked room problem that Carr fans might appreciate. That book is called 'Framed in Guilt'. Holdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10100980024238963573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-39257882950957732872017-05-06T03:37:41.789-05:002017-05-06T03:37:41.789-05:00It's always great when an author suddenly gets...It's always great when an author suddenly gets some traction on the blogosphere and with you, TC and Yvette all saying such varied but essentially positive things, I have got to give Fearn a go! So, for a complete neophyte, where to begin (and yes, purchasibility needs to be a consideration :)) Thanks, in advance, for the always great advice. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-71747333677235199262017-05-06T01:31:14.040-05:002017-05-06T01:31:14.040-05:00I've only came across one recycled idea in the...I've only came across one recycled idea in the nine, or so, books I have read by him. The premise and answer to the second impossible problem from <i>The Silvered Cage</i> was used by a character from <i>Black Maria, M.A.</i> in a stage play. <br /><br />Otherwise, Fearn seemed to always try to be as original as he possible could, which is what makes his work so attractive to me. So maybe he just loved the idea of transporting people or simply make them disappear. TomCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03415176301265218101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-64431846846800393952017-05-05T16:50:34.912-05:002017-05-05T16:50:34.912-05:00I just re-read my review of Vision Sinister and wa...I just re-read my review of <i>Vision Sinister</i> and was reminded that book also features a miraculous transportation of a corpse. Did he recycle his plot gimmicks often? In looking for the Hugo Blayn books I own I unearthed a Fearn reprint I forgot about: <i>The Tattoo Murders.</i> I'll try to sneak in that one this month, too. I think it's one of his hardboiled private eye stories.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-69891637635413283462017-05-05T15:22:00.755-05:002017-05-05T15:22:00.755-05:00You know what's really interesting about the G...You know what's really interesting about the Garth novels with Carruthers as co-detective? The explanation for the impossible situations are borderline science-fiction, such as the dematerilization trick from <i>The Silvered Cage</i>, while Garth's solo locked room mystery, <i>The Five Matchboxes</i>, has a much simpler explanation. <br /><br />So when a plot got too much out there, Fearn tagged Carruthers to Garth to provide a scientific (looking) explanation. Different cases require different talents, I suppose. <br /><br />And thanks for the mentions, John! We're shining a much needed, and deserved, light on Fearn's work and looking forward to your review of <i>Flashpoint</i>. I might tackle one as well later this month. TomCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03415176301265218101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-49965357291095638072017-05-05T14:55:35.286-05:002017-05-05T14:55:35.286-05:00Is that based on your former experience as a repor...Is that based on your former experience as a reporter? I'm talking about fictional detectives. In my vast reading there are plenty who I've encountered in books who are polite, compassionate and tolerant. I envy them that. I'm fast losing all three traits in my personal life.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-74416312792018002472017-05-05T13:56:06.295-05:002017-05-05T13:56:06.295-05:00Aren't all detectives arrogant pricks?Aren't all detectives arrogant pricks?Mathew Pausthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06157135006791553019noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-40164798199457372202017-05-05T12:50:56.837-05:002017-05-05T12:50:56.837-05:00He may be rude and arrogant, but I thought Fearn d...He may be rude and arrogant, but I thought Fearn did it in a comic way. Carruthers is actually very funny in this book. In others I found his behavior annoying.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-37323763344025816392017-05-05T11:56:05.092-05:002017-05-05T11:56:05.092-05:00Very nice, though a book I'll skip. I think th...Very nice, though a book I'll skip. I think the insufferable personality would put me off.Rick Robinsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07978136287154214297noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-84140905114769180342017-05-05T09:43:08.365-05:002017-05-05T09:43:08.365-05:00Another Fearn book to add to my list, John. Thanks...Another Fearn book to add to my list, John. Thanks. It's so wonderful to discover a good author who was so prolific, especially at this late state in the game. Not that Fearn is one of the greats, but compared to a lot of 'mystery' being written today, he is quite good enough for me.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.com