Monthly Archives: July 2021

Mort: William F. Nolan

Posted on July 31, 2021 by Don

A few days after the fact, word drifted in that William F. Nolan died, age 93, on July 15. I scanned some of the obits, all rightly selecting the science fiction novel Logan’s Run as the book of all his … Continue reading →

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Two-Gun Bob: The Best and the Worst

Posted on July 29, 2021 by Don

The discussion of pastiche writing the other day — and how even the original authors didn’t always excel with their classic characters — spurred the noted book and pulp collector Kevin Cook to send in additional thoughts: Well, if we’re … Continue reading →

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Frisco Beat: Kent Harrington in Person in Green Apple

Posted on July 27, 2021 by Don

Quick. Before they concoct an excuse to shut everything down again. Get over to Green Apple on Ninth Avenue tomorrow night to see Kent Harrington interviewed by Kevin Hunsanger about his new San Francisco crime novel Last Seen. I’ve already … Continue reading →

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Tour: By Appointment with Drake

Posted on July 26, 2021 by Don

The walk I did years ago for science fiction and fantasy writer David Drake, in town to do a signing in Borderlands Books, came up the other day in a blog from Deuce Richardson. Deuce liked the anecdote Drake told … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: Splat Like a Cat on the Wall, a Review by Brian Leno

Posted on July 25, 2021 by Don

The Shadow. Gangdom’s toughest foe.   Wearing a black slouch hat, and a cloak with upturned collar, he carries twin automatics and depopulates the world of criminals faster than a poor relation diving for a seat at your dining table. … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: Purist Outrage!

Posted on July 25, 2021 by Don

The idea that Brian Leno and Tom Krabacher and I cast wary eyes toward the new James Patterson “Shadow” novel recently drove the noted book and pulp collector Kevin Cook into a berserker frenzy. “Why the [sulphurous blasphemy] do you … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: First, Classic Shadow

Posted on July 24, 2021 by Don

Before he makes an attempt at reading the new “Shadow” novel by James Patterson, Brian Leno selected one of the original pulp era sagas to compare it against. “Pretty close to being done with Gray Fist, one of the earlier … Continue reading →

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Hammett: vs. Burdine’s

Posted on July 23, 2021 by Don

And it sounds like Hammett won, if you don’t factor getting arrested into your win/lose calculations. Brian Wallace pops another Hammett item my way from his constant scouring of the web, but he is provoked to mention, “This really sounds … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: More Cap Shaw

Posted on July 21, 2021 by Don

A few days ago Brian Leno sent in scans of a book he has that comes from the library of famed Black Mask editor Joseph T. “Cap” Shaw — nothing less than the Hammett-edited Creeps by Night. Today he sends … Continue reading →

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Rediscovered: A Shadow Puzzle

Posted on July 20, 2021 by Don

Brian Leno greets me this morning with a puzzler. “A little quiz for the Mean Streets, Don: Which of these three does not belong?” The reboot or reimagining or defunding of The Shadow by James Patterson came out the other … Continue reading →

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