Startling Detective

MacDonald, Ross: The Blue Hammer, New York Alfred A. Knopf 1976
ISBN: 0394404254 Fine

Hardcover. This is a very clean, fresh and nice first printing. An increasingly uncommon first edition in collector's condition. Unclipped. Tiny stick on front endpaper. Southern California in the 1970s is the turf of Lew Archer, Macdonald's laconic private eye. In this case he's asked to find a painting by an artist who vanished in 1950. Archer digs through lies and evasions that have been festering for more than 20 years until he uncovers the startling truth. Another top-notch book from Macdonald: great plot and well-drawn characters. Macdonald was not only a master of mystery fiction, but also one of America's finest writers. The Moving Target, The Galton Case, and The Goodbye Look became bestsellers because they transcended the genre of who-dunit to become why-dunits. Their hero, private detective Lew Archer, does much more than track down the killer; he also penetrates the mystery of human lives, in which riddles are buried in victim and murderer alike. It was for this extra dimension that Ross Macdonald ultimately won the critical acclaim that now ranks him with Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler as a major figure in twentieth century American letters. First Edition, First Printing Fine

[SW: CALIFORNIA FICTION LOS ANGELES CALIF ARCHER LEW FICTITIOUS CHARACTER MYSTERY DETECTIVE HARD BOILED]

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DeMille, Nelson: The General's Daughter, NY Warner Books Inc 1992
ISBN: 0446513067 Fine

A very nice copy--tight, bright and clean. A TRUE first edition, as number line has a "1" and "First Printing: November 1992" is stated, as necessary; price-clipped. This is a novel that showcases many of DeMille's strengths as a writer--it manages to be incredibly sad in parts, and utterly hilarious in others. This is a military detective story, and probably the best one I've ever read. DeMille's authenticity as regards military life in the modern Army is total--he transports the reader into the military culture--which is a culture derived from American culture but nonetheless profoundly separate from it. The daughter of the Commanding General of Ft. Hadley has been murdered under bizarre circumstances. DeMille's protagonist, Warrant Officer Brenner, a detective of the Army CID, is detailed to discover who, how, and why. This novel is written in the first person from Brenner's perspective and in this novel this perspective works brilliantly. Brenner and his teammate, WO Sunhill, discover that finding the answers to the riddle is like peeling an onion--with multiple layers of intrigue and corruption surrounding the circumstances of the victim's death. Brenner's observations about the investigation, military life, and his approach to crime-busting are all fascinating, possess a wry but sad humor, and contain a gritty authenticity that make this story highly plausible. The characters crackle with life and realism. The story develops smartly and never drags. This is one of those books that you won't put down. The ending is climactic and startling--and incredibly sad. I was depressed for days after reading this novel, but since then I have read it several more times. This book is an incredibly "good read" and anyone who likes suspense novels will enjoy it thoroughly. Few will read this novel without being moved by it. First Edition, First Printing Fine Hard Cover in Dust Jacket

[SW: FICTION]

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Bruce, Leo: Death of a Bovver Boy (1st Edition 1976 Paperback - Original Cover) Mews/NEL, 1976 ISBN: 0452000513

Fair Paperback First Edition FAIR READING COPY 1ST PAPERBACK EDITION 1976 MEWS/NEL PB WITH ORIGINAL 'BOVVER BOY' COVER PHOTO. A STARTLING DOCUMENT OF TEEN WOES AND CRIME, A PRECURSOR OF THE 'SKINHEAD' SERIES. FAIR READING COPY: PAGES BROWNED, FRONT COVER VERTICAL AND CORNER CREASES, SECURE BINDING, UNMARKED. SCARCE IN THIS EDITION Worldwide Shipping IMMEDIATE 1ST CLASS/AIRMAIL DISPATCH Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilogram. Category: Fiction 20th Century; True Crime/Mafia/Detective Fiction; ISBN: 0452000513. Inventory No: 014034.

[SW: True Crime/Mafia/Detective Fiction Fiction 20th Century; True Crime/Mafia/Detective Fiction;]

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Alanna Knight: Murder in Paradise, ALLISON & BUSBY, Oktober 2009 ISBN: 0749007974
The year is 1860 and Inspector Faro has been transported back to one of the darkest moments of his career - the chase of the notorious Macheath across the Scottish border. Whilst there, Faro meets an old school friend, Erland Flett, who is working alongside the artist William Morris and the Pre-Raphaelites whose lifestyle is startling revelation.

NEW 178X27X111 27 mm x 111 mm x 178 mm

[SW: Fiction - Mystery / Detective, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / General]

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