Review: Queen of the Panther World

Queen of the Panther World by Berkeley Livingston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A whimsical fantasy adventure with the weird inclusion of the author writing himself into the story as the hero. Berleley and his buddy meet a beautiful and mysterious woman at the zoo of all places and then are transported to the woman's world where her tribe lead by women riding panthers and are in a battle with a tribe lead by men who ride lizards. Several capture/escape set pieces drive the narrative and the women are aided by Berk and his friend who have the strength of several men. Not surprisingly the bosom buddies fall in love with a couple of beauties and pledge their honor in the ensuing battles. The author breaks the third wall referencing his submission deadlines and magazine publisher Ray Palmer, and several 1940s pop culture observations. Silly and fun in the tradition of the fantasy pulps of the times, I give this one three stars.

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Review: Portrait of a Dead Heiress

Portrait of a Dead Heiress by Thomas B. Dewey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The eleventh book in Dewey’s excellent Mac series finds the PI back in Chicago investigating an dubious suicide. The cast of characters include a heart-broken and shady doctor, a gay alcoholic artist, a corrupt cop, and young woman who works for a shifty retailer in a poor urban district. Dialog is colorful and concise showcasing Mac’s detection and interviewer skills. Interesting perspective on abortion in the pre-Roe v. Wade era , a plot point that is handled discreetly, being a somewhat taboo subject in it’s time. The dialog and complex plotting are the strengths of this short novel, although the murder motive felt a bit contrived. Of all of the bevy of paperback original private eye series of the ‘50s and ‘60s I would rank Dewey’s Mac as my favorite. Another solid entry.

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