Some related links you may enjoy:
• ThrillingDetective.com on Paul Pine
• Mystery*File posts on Howard Browne
• Ed Gorman’s many blog posts on Howard Browne
• A TUMBLR page of art by LAUREL BLECHMAN
• LAUREL BLECHMAN’s personal gallery page
• Richard A. Lupoff’s Wikipedia page
Here are some blurbs we harvested from the webs for the first three Paul Pine novels from their initial appearances in the late 1940s:
HALO IN BLOOD
“A rough tale with a brilliant opening situation in which twelve persons participate in the burial of a nameless bum. This is as surprising and bizarre a gambit as I can remember.”
—Vincent Starrett in Chicago Tribune
“Paul Pine pulls no punches in solving this gory mass murder starring a dangerous female. It’s a supertoughie.”
—Saturday Review of Literature
“There is no gainsaying the swift pace, the excitement-packed pages and toughness of this thriller.”
—New York Sun
“Halo in Blood is never dull with its lightning action, plausible situations, believable characters, Paul Pine may well be added to the company of such private sleuths as Philip Marlowe and Same Spade. That’s high acclaim.”
—Chicago Sun
“A mystery of the first order that differs materially in the writing from the customary pattern. The writing is bright as a new dollar, and as up-to-the-minute as a stock ticker. From the moment Pine unexpectedly joins a funeral party for an unidentified murder victim to the climax, writer Evans [Howard Browne] has done a good job.”
—Philadelphia Bulletin
HALO FOR SATAN
“Seldom does a mystery work up to such a thrilling solution. The account of how tough, witty Paul Pine seeks a manuscript valued at many millions provides one of the most imaginative mysteries in years. A flawless puzzler.”
—Boston Post
“Paul Pine, who can be called a believable Sam Spade, gets into a deal that shocks even his shockproof nature. He’s in a typical spot—squarely in the middle and fighting hard to keep himself and his client in the clear. Halo for Satan is terrific. Evans [Browne] is doing an impressive job.”
—Philadelphia Bulletin
“Wonderfully different. It’s as exciting as all-get-out and the ending will—honestly—knock you off your fee.”
—Craig Rice in Los Angeles News
“Murderous and startling . . . unusual premise for “tough guy” mystery this one has rough stuff galore, snapping Mid-West atmosphere and surprise finish. It’s lurid and lively.“
—Saturday Review of Literature
HALO IN BRASS
“Exceptionally tough—and exceptionally good—opus peopled mainly by unpleasant characters and ending in fashion that may surprise all but keen-eyed.
—Saturday Review of Literature
|
