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Posted: 17 Jul 2015 07:07 AM PDT
by Ben Boulden
Dark Side of the Street is the twenty-first novel published by Harry Patterson, and the fifth to feature Paul Chavasse. It was originally released in the U. K. as a hardcover by John Long in 1967 under the byline “Martin Fallon”; a name that has a history with Mr. Patterson. It was an early pseudonym, and the name of two protagonists who met similar fates in the novels Cry of the Hunter (1960) and A Prayer for the Dying (1973). It made a pre-The Eagle Has Landed appearance in the United States as a Fawcett Gold Medal paperback in 1974.
Paul Chavasse is employed by a British intelligence organization called “The Bureau”; its director reports directly to the Prime Minister. Chavasse is educated—a former lecturer of linguistics—ruthless, and very much in demand. When he is approached by Scotland Yard’s Special Branch with an opportunity to spend time in a maximum security prison Chavasse accepts with good humor. His assignment is to infiltrate a criminal organization that seemingly has the ability to penetrate any prison, and abscond with the convict of its choosing. And once out, the prisoner vanishes without a trace.
Special Branch believes the next convict to escape will be Harry Youngblood. Harry was convicted of robbing an airport with two associates, and both have already escaped in spectacular fashion. Chavasse’s assignment is to tag along with Youngblood when his escape comes, and get the details of the organization arranging it. He does, and what he finds is both surprising and daunting.
Dark Side of the Street is one of the more accomplished Paul Chavasse novels. The plot is perfectly executed and surprising. The prose is even and consistent, and at times vividly eloquent—
“Rain drifted against the window with dismal pattering and Chavasse looked out across the farmyard morosely. In the grey light of early morning, it presented an unlovely picture. Great potholes in the cobbles filled with stagnant water, archaic, rusting machinery and a profusion of rubbish everywhere.”
There is a nicely executed heist in the opening pages before it settles into straight adventure. Paul Chavasse is a likable protagonist with a knack for finding himself behind bars, and an uncanny ability of getting out. A situation that happens at least once in the first five novels. The central antagonist is interesting for two reasons. The first is Mr. Patterson’s use of an obvious sociopath with an over the top personality (Sean Rogan less the conscience). The second is his name, Simon Vaughan. A name many readers will recognize as the protagonist from The Savage Day (1972), and Day of Judgment (1979); although it is definitely not the same character.
The plot is also familiar, but the familiarity is external to Mr. Patterson’s work rather than internal. Desmond Bagley used a similar storyline for his excellent 1971 novel The Freedom Trap, filmed as “The Mackintosh Man”, which was inspired by the 1966 escape of British double agent George Blake from Wormwood Scrubs prison. It is likely, due to the proximity between Blake’s escape and the publication date, it also inspired Dark Side of the Street.
No matter its inspirations, Dark Side of the Street, is one of the better early novels Harry Patterson published. It is the last novel Mr. Patterson wrote before introducing his most famous nom de plume—Jack Higgins—and it is a bridge between his early work and the brilliant novels he wrote in the middle of his career.
I wrote a short introduction to the Paul Chavasse novels a few years ago you may find interesting.
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Mystery Scene Back Issue #140,Summer 2015 (Canada) |
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015
Gravetapping TEKWAR by William Shatner and Ron Goulart
FRIDAY, JULY 17, 2015
Gravetapping TEKWAR by William Shatner and Ron Goulart
Gravetapping |
Posted: 12 Apr 2015 12:52 PM PDT
Ben Boulden:
Sometime in 1992, probably late in the year, I devoured the first three novels in William Shatner’s Tek series: TekWar (1989), TekLords (1991), and TekLab (1991). At the time, as a teenager, I was certain they were as original and exciting as anything ever published. As I’ve aged, become jaded by life, my opinion has changed a smidge; there probably are stories more original, more exciting. And, even worse, the Tek books will never be canonized, but—even after these truths were revealed—I still enjoy them. They are a sweetly inviting piece of candy—all sugary and sweet with no aftertaste, or calories. Maybe a shadow of guilt, literati induced guilt, but thankfully it passes with the first page.
The first novel, TekWar, was published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons in hardcover. Ace reissued it as a mass market in 1990. Amazingly, I have read it three times. It introduces former police detective Jake Cardigan who was convicted of corruption. He was sentenced to fifteen years in the “Freezer,” which is a cryogenic suspended animation penitentiary. The world continues, but the convict sleeps it away. Jake is given parole after four years when an influential private detective agency, Cosmos, successfully lobbies for his release.
Cosmos wants Jake for his contacts in Mexico. A man named Leon Kittridge, along with his daughter Beth, have disappeared in Chihuahua where their skycar reportedly crashed. Professor Kittridge is developing a device that easily, and remotely, destroys tek; an illegal virtual reality device that creates the illusion of a perfect life. Cosmos has sent three operatives to Chihuahua in pursuit of the Kittridges and none have returned.
TekWar is a humorous, almost tongue-in-cheek, futuristic private eye novel. The setting is 22nd century, but the science fiction takes a backseat to the hardboiled detective story. There are robots, flying cars, and, of course, tek, but the “science” is decoration. Very good decoration and the novel is better for it, but still decoration. Change out tek for smack and flying cars for Chevys and it is a 20th century piece.
The humor is built in to the science fiction element of the story, which gives it the feeling of, “don’t take this too seriously.” In an early passage the warden, through his robot proxy, wishes Jake well and of his certainty Jake learned his lesson and will never return to the Freezer—
“Or, for that matter, to any of the fifty-three other prisons and correctional facilities in the State of Southern California…”
A platinum haired silver painted receptionist, going through life changes, confesses to Jake she has recently been mistaken for an android—
“‘…so far three clients have confused me with servomechs and a new ‘bot on the custodial staff tried to dust and polish me.’”
The action and humor are the novels strong points, and overshadow its weaknesses—there isn’t much doubt how the novel will end, and Jake Cardigan’s motive is exposed by his annoying habit of talking to himself. A habit, in my memory, that is reduced in the later series novels. Mystery Scene Back Issue #140,Summer 2015 (Canada) |
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015
New Books: Greenfellas
From Mystery Scene:
YOU CAN TAKE THE BOY OUT OF NEW JERSEY…
by Robert Lopresti
When I decided to write about the Mafia I knew I would have to rely on the Garden State, where I was born. My current Northwest home is sadly lacking in Sicilian mobsters.
I figured my three decades in Area Code 201 would provide plenty of background for my story.
Greenfellas is a comic crime novel, with issues. On the day mobster Sal Caetano becomes a grandfather he hears on the news that climate change will make his granddaughter’s world a disaster area.
Sal vows to use his mob-honed skills to save the environment. This puts him in conflict with the law, his brother criminals, politicians, and even ecoterrorists.
How does this relate to New Jersey geography? Well, I decided the borders between the crime families were somewhat vague:
If the world were rational then all the cops working on organized crime in New Jersey would have maps on the wall with nice neat borders. Everything west of here belongs to the Zalzo family. Everything east of this line is D'Agosta territory. The space between? Napolito Land.
But the world isn't a rational place, and the mob doesn't go in for deep thinking, so the best their studious critics in O.C. can do is identify spheres of influence…
Certain towns are recognized as monopolies of one gang or another. And some neighborhoods are no-go areas, either because some boss's mother lives there or for reasons long forgotten. Basking Ridge was no-touch because a legendary head of the FBI's New York City office lived there a decade ago. He had long since retired to Florida but, in effect, his ghost still patrolled the town.
All this would be easier to track if the state, federal, and local police
O.C. units cooperated fully, but they aren't rational either.
I enjoyed placing my characters in favorite locales. Some bad guys live in my former house in Morris County (although I owned fewer deadly weapons). If any Hollywood producers are interested, I can show them the exact locale. And I assure them I am entirely willing to sell out.
One location I kept deliberately vague. I wanted to set a big picnic in honor of a dead mobster in Echo Lake Park in Mountainside. However, I hadn’t been there for more than a decade and didn’t trust my memory. So I invented Silver Lake Park. No one could argue about thatplace, because it doesn’t exist.
One of my first readers lives in New Jersey and she immediately asked: “Why did you change Echo Lake to Silver Lake?” She thought I had described the original down perfectly. Maybe I did.
Because, like a Taylor Ham sandwich or salt water taffy, New Jersey tends to stick with you a long time.
1. Tell us about your current novel.
(See above.)
2. Can you give a sense of what you're working on now?I
have a contract for a non-fiction book. Nothing to do with mystery, unfortunately. I hope you’ll be hearing about it in 2017.
2. Can you give a sense of what you're working on now?I
have a contract for a non-fiction book. Nothing to do with mystery, unfortunately. I hope you’ll be hearing about it in 2017.
3. What is the greatest pleasure of a writing career?
That’s easy. The moment when a story idea pops into your head. First there’s nothing there and then – bang! - There is. It’s obviously magic.
4. What is the greatest DISpleasure?
4. What is the greatest DISpleasure?
Waiting and waiting and – did I mention waiting? – for an editor’s verdict. That’s actually worse than a rejection.
5. If you have one piece of advice for the publishing world, what is it?
I wouldn’t bother. The publishing world has NEVER had the faintest idea of what it was doing. It has always been fighting the last war.
I wouldn’t bother. The publishing world has NEVER had the faintest idea of what it was doing. It has always been fighting the last war.
As for writers: don’t sign any long term contracts. Don’t get yourself sworn to a current business model, because in five years everything will be different (again).
6. Are there two or three forgotten mystery writers you'd like to see
in print again?
Raymond Paul. He wrote a short series of great historical novels about an Irish Lawyer named Quincannon in pre-Civil War New York. Each was based on a real murder of the time.
Does Jack Ritchie qualify as forgotten? One of the greatest authors of comic short mysteries. I have stolen tons from him.
Review:
Review:
“If Carl Hiassen and Al Gore had collaborated on RESERVOIR DOGS, it might have come out something like GREENFELLAS. Then again, it probably wouldn't. Robert Lopresti… has penned a comic crime novel in which a New Jersey mobster with a bad comb-over decides to use his resources to save the environment for future generations. The dialogue is crisp and the situations darkly funny.” - Steve Steinbock, ELLERY QUEEN'S MYSTERY MAGAZINE.
Blurbs (yours included):
A hilarious, albeit chilling, eco-Mafia novel -- a new species. Lopresti knows his mobsters, his New Jersey, and his science, and knows how to make it all sing.” -- SJ Rozan, Edgar-winning author (as Sam Cabot) of SKIN OF THE WOLF
“Robert Lopresti's GREENFELLAS has a great concept and vivid characters, both criminals and commoners. There's snappy patter and a fast-moving story, and it's funny, too. Elmore Leonard fans (and everybody else) should snap this up immediately.” --Bill Crider, bestselling author of the Sheriff Dan Rhodes mysteries
“A funny, fast-paced crime story whose serious points pack the wallop of a forty-five.”-Terence Faherty, Shamus-winning author of the Scott Elliott series.
"A very clever, extremely well-done romp that somehow manages to make the birth of a granddaughter, the Mafia and global warming all work brilliantly ensemble style. A fine, fun story that is not without serious depth and warmth. I loved it.” -Ed Gorman, Writer of the Sam McCain series
Mystery Scene Back Issue #140,
Summer 2015 (Canada)
Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chief - James Reasoner
THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2015
Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chief - James Reasoner
Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chief - James Reasoner
G.W. Braddock might not be an official Texas Ranger anymore, but that doesn't mean he's going to stop chasing down outlaw gangs! On the trail of a vicious band of killers and bank robbers led by the notorious Clete Fenner, Braddock finds himself with an unexpected ally: an ancient Indian who claims to be the last war chief of the Comanche. Their pursuit of the Fenner gang will lead them to a bloody showdown on the Texas plains, with the lives of innocents hanging in the balance!
It's an Outlaw Ranger novella this time around, 17,000 words of gritty action for less than a buck. There's no print edition for the moment, but my plan is to write another Outlaw Ranger novella later in the year and combine it with this one for the print edition. I'm enjoying this series and plan to keep it going for a while, as long as I can find the time to write them.
Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chief - James Reasoner
Now Available: Outlaw Ranger #4: The Last War Chief - James Reasoner
G.W. Braddock might not be an official Texas Ranger anymore, but that doesn't mean he's going to stop chasing down outlaw gangs! On the trail of a vicious band of killers and bank robbers led by the notorious Clete Fenner, Braddock finds himself with an unexpected ally: an ancient Indian who claims to be the last war chief of the Comanche. Their pursuit of the Fenner gang will lead them to a bloody showdown on the Texas plains, with the lives of innocents hanging in the balance!
It's an Outlaw Ranger novella this time around, 17,000 words of gritty action for less than a buck. There's no print edition for the moment, but my plan is to write another Outlaw Ranger novella later in the year and combine it with this one for the print edition. I'm enjoying this series and plan to keep it going for a while, as long as I can find the time to write them.
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