PaperBack: “Moment of Untruth”

Part of a series honoring the late author and blogger Bill Crider.



Moment of Untruth, by “Ed Lacy,” aka Leonard S. Zinberg (Lancer, 1967). As blogger J.F. Norris explains, this is “a sequel of sorts” to 1957’s Edgar Award-winning Room to Swing, which introduced Black New York City private eye Toussaint “Touie” Moore. And, as The Thrilling Detective Web Site’s Kevin Burton Smith writes, Moment “is almost as good” as its predecessor.

Cover illustration by Robert K. Abbett.

PaperBack: “Deadly Weapon”

Part of a series honoring the late author and blogger Bill Crider.



Deadly Weapon, by “Wade Miller,” aka Robert Wade and Bill Miller (Signet, 1960). This was the authors’ first novel to see print, originally published in 1946. It was also the only book to star their Atlanta, Georgia, private eye, Walter James.

Cover art by Robert K. Abbett.

PaperBack: “Hunter at Large”

Part of a series honoring the late author and blogger Bill Crider.



Hunter at Large, by Thomas B. Dewey (Permabooks, 1963). This standalone thriller, published originally by Simon & Schuster back in 1961, features a “simple” plot, according to a Goodreads reviewer. “Nevertheless, Dewey channels his best Mike Hammer in a man’s single-handed thirst for vengeance.”

Cover illustration by Robert K. Abbett.

PaperBack: “The Perfect Victim”

Part of a series honoring the late author and blogger Bill Crider.



The Perfect Victim, by James McKimmey (Dell, 1957).
Cover illustration by Robert K. Abbett.

PaperBack: “Ashenden”

Part of a series honoring the late author and blogger Bill Crider.



Ashenden: Or the British Agent, by W. Somerset Maugham (Avon, 1966). Published originally in 1922, this collection of roughly connected short stories was inspired by the author’s experience as a British Intelligence agent in Europe during World War I.

Cover illustration by Robert K. Abbett.

SEE IT NOW: In 1991, the British network BBC One adapted several stories from Ashenden into a four-part TV series. At least for the time being, you can watch those episodes on YouTube.

PaperBack: “Mark Kilby and the Secret Syndicate”

Part of a series honoring the late author and blogger Bill Crider.



Mark Kilby and the Secret Syndicate, by “Robert Frazier,” aka John Creasey (Pocket, 1960). This is the second of six novels Creasey wrote about Mark Kilby, an ex-British secret service agent turned “dashing private investigator.”

Cover illustration by Robert K. Abbett.