tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post9123832979921644749..comments2024-03-18T11:01:42.459-05:00Comments on Pretty Sinister Books: FFB: A Corpse for Christmas - Henry KaneJ F Norrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-32047287421080908962017-01-13T08:11:48.568-06:002017-01-13T08:11:48.568-06:00What TracyK said above! I like Xmas books too, and...What TracyK said above! I like Xmas books too, and this one sounds like a change from the snowy country houses, even if the seasonal content is minimal. am intrigued by White Christmas as a greeting.Clothes In Bookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14680610242823846662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-66364081469451796092017-01-08T23:53:27.888-06:002017-01-08T23:53:27.888-06:00Some gorgeous covers, and I always love a Christma...Some gorgeous covers, and I always love a Christmas book at Christmas, even if it really has nothing to do with Christmas. Wonderful post, John, and I will read Lawrence Block's piece in The Crime of Our Lives. I hope I can remember this one long enough to get a copy before next December.TracyKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08303342674824383688noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-49470297267779206402017-01-07T15:08:07.700-06:002017-01-07T15:08:07.700-06:00Anytime, sir! Did you see my two posts about the ...Anytime, sir! Did you see my two posts about the Leo Haig & Chip Harrison books? I really enjoyed those.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-10183282607687067392017-01-07T14:47:57.960-06:002017-01-07T14:47:57.960-06:00Thanks John. Quite funny but might grate if used r...Thanks John. Quite funny but might grate if used repeatedly.neerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01986509319841061021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-91661461126808254102017-01-07T07:49:58.689-06:002017-01-07T07:49:58.689-06:00John, thanks for the mention, but thanks even more...John, thanks for the mention, but thanks even more for this thoughtful look at my old friend Henry Kane. As for my piece in Mystery Scene, your readers might like to know that it's included in my collection of non-fiction about the genre, The Crime of Our Lives: http://amzn.to/2iTpkcrLawrence Blockhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09704874256656553287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-66771998019493194042017-01-06T22:49:09.534-06:002017-01-06T22:49:09.534-06:00private eye = private dick = private Richard. Dick...private eye = private dick = private Richard. Dick is an American/British nickname for Richard. It's a roundabout pun of sorts.<br /><br />Here's to a healthy, prosperous and less confusing 2017, Neer!J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-69877858349598279652017-01-06T22:43:28.465-06:002017-01-06T22:43:28.465-06:00What exactly is 'Private Richard'?
John,...What exactly is 'Private Richard'? <br /><br />John, a very happy 2017 to you.neerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01986509319841061021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-50107345640423040152017-01-06T16:11:09.531-06:002017-01-06T16:11:09.531-06:00I tend to find *everything* I read more entertaini...I tend to find *everything* I read more entertaining than most people. Maybe I just have lower standards. ;^)<br /><br />Not really a fan of the "luscious babe" kind of writing, but Kane seems to be making fun of it all. That's how I interpret his style anyway.<br /><br />I didn't really talk much about the plot or characters here, but it was all very well done. Very much in the fair play mode with cleverly dropped clues along the way. Mild, if not a startling, surprise in the finale. I like his character portraits, too. Any writer who makes the minor characters come to life and gives them great lines is AOK in my book.<br /><br />I just lucked out with my first pick for Kane. If I had read one of Kane's "near porn" crime novels (as someone over at Mystery*File called his later work) I probably would've been turned off for good. Good to know that I can avoid those later books. And I will.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-54457067481591105032017-01-06T15:51:47.160-06:002017-01-06T15:51:47.160-06:00I first read some of Kane's Peter Chambers sto...I first read some of Kane's Peter Chambers stories and novels in my teens. His repeated use of Chambers' self-description as a "private richard" instantly got on my last nerve as a term working too hard to be cute and clever. As for the stories and novels themselves, some were quite entertaining (THE NARROWING LUST, a.k.a. TOO FRENCH AND TOO DEADLY),some so-so, and at least one, whose title *may* have been HANG BY YOUR NECK, was dull and sluggish.<br /><br />You obviously find him more entertaining than I do, John. Barry Erganghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04305184548497082776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8787364257168822822.post-92103178015222219222017-01-06T15:32:31.820-06:002017-01-06T15:32:31.820-06:00I've known some women considerably older than ...I've known some women considerably older than Kane's 18-year-old who had about the same level of maturity. Not sure age is always to blame. Mathew Pausthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06157135006791553019noreply@blogger.com