Hard Case Crime's Latest Release: The Knife Slipped

A longtime fan of noir, I'm a huge fan of Charles Ardai's brilliant publishing house, Hard Case Crime. It specializes in new releases from favorite authors like Max Allan Collins but includes a juicy lineup of books that haven't been on the shelves in decades from authors like Ed McBain and Mickey Spillane. And Ardai somehow unearths never-before-published material like Forever and a Death by Donald Westlake that will arrive in June 2017.

The house usually releases one title per month. This month's book is The Knife Slipped by Earl Stanley Gardner.

Here's its press release:

At the time of his death, Erle Stanley Gardner was the best-selling American author of the 20th century, and world famous as the creator of crusading attorney Perry Mason. Gardner also created the hardboiled detective team of Cool and Lam, stars of 29 novels published between 1939 and 1970—and one that’s never been published until now.

Lost for more than 75 years, THE KNIFE SLIPPED was meant to be the second book in the series but got shelved when Gardner’s publisher objected to (among other things) Bertha Cool’s tendency to "talk tough, swear, smoke cigarettes, and try to gyp people." But this tale of adultery and corruption, of double-crosses and triple identities —however shocking for 1939—shines today as a glorious present from the past, a return to the heyday of private eyes and shady dames, of powerful criminals, crooked cops, blazing dialogue, and delicious plot twists.

Donald Lam has never been cooler—not even when played by Frank Sinatra on the U.S. Steel Hour of Mystery in 1946. Bertha Cool has never been tougher. And Erle Stanley Gardner has never been better.

• First publication ever!
• Erle Stanley Gardner is one of the most popular American authors of all time, with over 100 million books sold
• Brand new cover painting by Robert McGinnis of modern-day pin-up icon Dita von Teese
• Brand new afterword by former Ellery Queen editor Russell Atwood about Gardner, Cool & Lam, and THE KNIFE SLIPPED 

Vintage Truck -- December Blog Post

December shows featuring a charitible component were the selections for my blog post over at Vintage Truck Magazine this month. Tis the season for giving, and it's impressive how much car shows and car clubs give back to their local communities. These aren't the kinds of stories that will ever make the news, of course, but I'll never tire of hearing about (or writing about) people doing the great small things that add up to a big impact in their corner of the world.

Review Aquaman #6

An enjoyable issue, Aquaman #6 has an action-oriented

agenda that has little to do with delving deep into angsty character development and more to do with finally returning to the sea. And that's just fine.

The issue closes the first arc with action in the form of Aquaman fighting Superman, as Arthur takes out his considerable frustration regarding his treatment by the surface world on Clark. Ever the gentleman, Clark takes best shots from Arthur and Mera in this issue and gets knocked on his rear. But there is a limit to Big Blue's patience, even though Arthur is right in his assertion that he was framed and something much more awful is really orchestrating events.

For more on this fun book, check out my review for Comic Book Resources.

Show Guide 2017

If you're a subscriber to Vintage Truck, Antique Power, or Vintage Fire Truck & Equipment, you receive the annual Show Guide as a supplement. (Non-subscribers can order a copy.) The Show Guide is a compilation of shows around the country (and Canada) that are devoted toward or simply welcome antique tractors or trucks or fire trucks and related equipment.

What's so special about that?

Event organizers can submit the information for their show for FREE! And if you've ever tackled the Herculean task of putting on a car show, antique power show, or service vehicle show, you know that every source of free publicity is a welcome relief for promotion budgets that are never big enough.

You can place your show in the 2017 Show Guide now. The deadline is November 4, so don't delay and please spread the word to other show organizers you know. Submit your information HERE. It's easy, and it's free.

September Truck-Friendly Shows

My latest blog post for Vintage Truck Magazine is live HERE.

Sorry not to have posted this sooner, there were some great shows around the country over Labor Day Weekend, and I hope you were able to attend one. Winter is coming, so get out and enjoy events with your club while you can.

Review Wonder Woman #4

The "Year One" storyline continues in Wonder Woman #4 as writer Greg Rucka reinvents the Amazonian games that produce the island's champion. And while the winner is no secret to readers, longtime fans will appreciate the script's fluid efforts to incorporate prior tellings of Wonder Woman's origins. Rucka has included nods to the golden and silver age, the television show, and the works of fan-favorite creators, including George Perez, Phil Jimenez, and Brian Azzarello.

Nicola Scott's art is a study in character development. Themyscira itself is a fully realized character, and Scott's thoughtful depictions of Amazonian society create a more comprehensive picture than has ever been attempted before. Why is that so vital to the story? Because the champion of the Amazons will not simply be chosen to return Steve Trevor to his people--once she leaves the island, she can never return. 

My full review is live on Comic Book Resources.

Review Scarlet Witch #9

The relationships between siblings in comics are often strained, and in Scarlet Witch #9 writer James Robinson and artist Joelle Jones use the events unfolding in "Civil War II" to push Wanda and Peitro to their breaking point.

Beautifully rendered by Jones and deftly scripted by Robinson, Wanda has emerged as her own person. And she'll make her own decisions as to whether or not to join in on the mayhem. The series has been one large journey of personal healing and discovery for Wanda, and with this issue, she demonstrates a new level of self-acceptance and self-confidence that she quickly puts to good use.

My full review is live at Comic Book Resources.