Review: 13 French Street

13 French Street by Gil Brewer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brewer clearly had higher designs for his career in this early novel. The prose is tight and literary, brimming with impressive descriptions and similes. Brewer was no hack. Sexual obsession drives the plot, a topic that Brewer does as well, or better than most. What’s missing here is the insane plot twists that Brewer employed so well in his later novels. For example, I was expecting the narrators fiancé to show up at the worst possible time, but she never did. I’ve read better plotted Brewer, but never better written Brewer.

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Review: Passion Flayed

Passion Flayed by J.X. Williams
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

High literature it ain’t, but for a ‘60s sleaze book it’s pretty good. Sharp tongued Rita finds that she is only sexually attracted to men that she isn’t married to - not a good thing for her husband Brad, who struggles to save their marriage as Rita piles up the extramarital affairs. Rita’s lovers include a gruff construction boss, a sleazy psychiatrist, and a door-to-door salesman who all find her charms completely captivating, and who Rita fights off, but ultimately finds impossible to resist. The books strengths are the well written dialogue, and it’s weakness the lack of plot, and it’s forehead-slapping conclusion. This is one of Harry Whittington’s “missing 38” sleaze books that he wrote monthly in the mid 1960s.

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Review: Nightmare in New York

Nightmare in New York by Don Pendleton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mack Bolan is immediately wounded in a gunfight with Mafia assassins upon arrival in NYC and is rescued by three hippie-type chicks who nurse him back to health, unfortunately putting themselves into deep danger. Typical action book heroics ensue with Bolan making a series of assaults on the five mob families of NYC. The scene with Sam the Bomber and his wife was a nice touch, showing some of Bolan’s humanity and compassion. The final assault with Bolan infiltrating then destroying the mob compound on Long Island was a satisfying climax. In general a good entry in the series.

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Review: The Fist of Fatima

The Fist of Fatima by Paul Edwards
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This Robert Lory installment is an improvement over his previous effort The Laughing Death, this time John Eagle is engaged early in the book and his mission is personal. There were several interesting historical or geographic references that I was inclined to look up, including the 1973 attack on the Saudi Embassy in Khartoum, and the nomadic Tuareg people of the Sahara dessert. Eagle’s college roommate is killed by terrorists in an attack much like one one in Khartoum and Eagle vows vengeance. He travels to Libya and becomes allied with a band of Tuareg nomads that include the chief’s horny daughters, who find Eagle irresistible, and their jealous suitor. In true adventure book fashion Eagle must endure various challenges and fights to prove himself worthy during the trek across the Sahara to the mountain lair of the terrorists, the setting for the action-packed climax. This fourth book in this obscure series is more of an adventure novel rather than the previous action/espionage and is my favorite thus far.

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Review: Sheba

Sheba by Orrie Hitt
My rating: 1 of 5 stars

A quick and easy read, without much else going on for it. The prose is dumbed down to the point of annoyance, and the plot consists mainly of Sheba fending off, or drunkenly accepting, sexual advances from every character in the book who is not related to her. I've read several terrific Orrie Hitt books. This is one is truly a clunker.

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Review: Atlanta Deathwatch

Atlanta Deathwatch by Ralph Dennis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent hard-boiled private eye novel with an engaging '70s vibe that grabs you and won't let go. Jim Hardman is a strangely endearing PI with self-doubt issues and a tendency to work both sides of the law to further his interests. The story is expertly plotted and paced as the clues to the murder mystery fall swiftly into place. Hardman and his partner Hump are inclined to get themselves out of dangerous situations using cunning and stealth rather than shooting their way out - a plus in my opinion. I've heard good things about this series over the years and I'm glad to see that it's finally back in print. Recommended.

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Review: The First Mountain Man

The First Mountain Man by William W. Johnstone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first entry in the Preacher series, this one tells the story of how the mountain man called Preacher, a self-sufficient loner, goes against his druthers and helps a wagon train of Eastern greenhorns across the untamed West while being pursued by a violent band of outlaws and getting involved with various skirmishes with Indians. Johnstone knows the time period and places exceedingly well giving the novel a sense of authenticity. Preacher is a fascinating character and I loved the banter between the mountain men and the pilgrims. Johnstone's take on this fairly standard plot is a very good one.

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Review: Blaze! Bitter Valley

Blaze! Bitter Valley by Wayne D. Dundee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really like Dundee’s take on this series, adding some humor and playful banter between the gunslinging couple, and sex scenes that seem less gratuitous. The Blaze’s are recruited by a former prostitute who has recently married a rich ranch owner and has been “acquainted” with J.D. in the past, sparking some jealousy from Kate. It seems that the heirs to the ranch are not happy with the new wife and soon an elaborate murder mystery becomes the focus of the book. Solid entertainment and probably my favorite in the series thus far.

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Review: Slaughter At Buzzard's Gulch: Caz: Vigilante Hunter: A Western Adventure From The Author of "Mojave Massacre"

Slaughter At Buzzard's Gulch: Caz: Vigilante Hunter: A Western Adventure From The Author of "Mojave Massacre" by Scott Harris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This fast paced and compelling short novel tells the story of Caz, a compassionate bounty hunter, who finds himself in a violent battle with an saloon owner and his team of outlaws when he uncovers forced prostitution in the establishment. Caz is an interesting character and is complemented by a strong supporting cast that included Bess, a young reluctant prostitute, and Etta, a feisty boarding house owner. I liked this novel at lot and am looking forward to reading the further adventures of Caz.

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Review: The Hand of Dracula!

The Hand of Dracula! by Robert Lory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sure, it's silly, but it's a blast to read. An oddball team consisting of a wheelchair bound professor, who's quite an ass, an enormous Puerto Rican ex-cop, a shape-shifting, mind reading woman enslaved by Dracula, and of course the extremely violent Count who is always on the verge of being out of control, and who hates the professor and subverts his efforts when he can. The oddball team works loosely together to try solve a murder mystery with a wager between the Count and professor on the line. There's a lot of weirdness going on, a Manson-like cult, Mafia hit men, a nefarious funeral director and his brutish hunchback assistant, all of which make for a fun and crazy ride.

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