I thought I sent out an earlier message on John Spain, but it
never showed up in my mailbox, so maybe I didn't. If you've
already received it, you can just delete this now.
I was led to read a book by John Spain (who was really Cleve
F. Adams) by a review in THE ANTHONY BOUCHER CHRONICLES,
VOLUME II. Here's the review, from November 8, 1942:
"Confidential agent William Rye breaks up blackmail and
murder in L. A. politics. Authentic hard school -- as close
to Hammett himself as anything in recent years." Well, who
wouldn't want to read a book like that? I had a copy around
the house, so I dug it out.
It might not be Hammett, but it's certainly "authentic hard
school." Bill Rye is a cynical op whose description will
probably remind you of Hammett's description of Sam
Spade
(or at least I was reminded). Rye works for a gent named
Callahan, who raised himself from penniless immigrant to
big-time operator and who now has plenty of political
power
(and enemies), along with plenty of family problems (a
straying wife, a wild weakling son). And now a woman shows up
claiming to be his long-lost illegitimate daughter. People
start getting killed, and the plot gets really complex. Rye
isn't above bribery and perjury when it comes to protecting
Callahan, and there's plenty of action, all done in the clean
Black Mask style. Highly recommended.
Here's what Boucher has to say about the sequel, DEATH IS
LIKE THAT, in his review of October 10, 1943: "The entire
surviving cast of DIG ME A GRAVE, starring cynical Bill Rye,
tangles with more L. A. murder and politics; the cast will be
much smaller next time. Better-than-average hard stuff, but
still more routine than the unforgettable first Spain."
As luck would have it, I also have a copy of this one. I'm
going to read it, as they say in fandom, Real Soon Now.
Bill Crider
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