Juri writes:
"The major disappointment of the year was Paul Malmont's hyped THE
CHINATOWN CLOUD DEATH PERIL."
Coincidentally, I just read this one, and I don't agree--but I also
don't think I'd describe the book as "hyped." It's obviously a first
novel, but it's not a bad one for a first, and I found it a pleasing
read. Neither really "noir" nor "hard-boiled," it was nonetheless a
lot of fun, and I appreciated the earnest enthusiasm of the author,
which came through, I thought, in just the right dosage. I also liked
some of the period details, the story itself (fantastic but not
preposterous), and the various cameos. I wouldn't compare the book to
Chandler or Westlake, but I don't think its author would, either. I
will admit to being a big fan of Dent/Robeson, and I will also admit
that I can see how this book would not be well-received by someone who
isn't a big fan of the hero pulps.
I did have a few questions about some of the details, e.g.,
- Did Heinlein and Hubbard ever meet Dent and Gibson?
- Is there any truth to the animosity between Dent and Gibson?
- I assume that was Chester HIMES in the railway car--does that work
chronologically?
- Possible error: Lot of talk late in the book about Gibson and Dent
and the creation and writing of THE AVENGER--but I understood that, in
spite of the use of the Robeson house name, neither of them had
anything to do with that.
I'd be interested in hearing any other opinions on this book, though I
don't expect it's really in the sweet spot for this mailing list.
Best,
Mark Nevins
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