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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