In 1957 Evan Hunter, writing as Richard Marsten, did "Vanishing Ladies"
(Perma-Books M3097) ("Original Mystery - Not a Reprint"). I haven't read it
yet, but the cover is pure Motel Noir - evening light; a bad girl (a really
good bad girl, if you take my meaning) in lipstick, heels, and not very much
of a purple dress, cocking a hip; a gunman in a suit a few yards behind her;
all backgrounded by just the kind of sleazy 50s motel we love, complete with
spotlit "Vacancy" sign. The caption-blurb says "The motel was a front for
crime and a setting for murder!", which strikes me as rather uncreative.
- John Woolley
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