Strip for Murder by Richard S. Prather

Richard S. Prather wrote over three dozen Shell Scott novels as well as numerous short stories published in the likes of 'Manhunt' and 'Mike Shayne Mystery Magazine'. There was even a 'Shell Scott Mystery Magazine' that was published for a while in the 1960s. This novel was fairly early in the series, first published in 1956. The early books were a little inconsistent and one gets the idea that Prather was wrestling with just how he wanted his main character to be. Some were more hard-boiled like Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer and others tended toward the outlandish and comedic. But by the time this book was written, I would have thought the character had settled into a more or less consistent style. But now I’m not so sure.

Many readers regard this one as among the best of the Shell Scott novels. Here, Shell finds himself hired by a wealthy mother to investigate the background of a man who her daughter has married rather impulsively. Is it genuine love or is the guy a gold digger? To add to the intrigue, Shell discovers his predecessor on the case, another private eye, was found murdered. 

Shell’s investigation takes him to a nudist (‘naturist’) colony where he goes “undercover” so to speak as a health and fitness instructor. Of course, in the world of Shell Scott, the women (or ‘tomatoes” as he often refers to them) are almost always gorgeous and willing. The plot is still hardboiled but is interrupted plenty of times with screwball situations, such as his leading the entire nudist colony in calisthenics. His own corny sense of humor is on full display as well. (Sorry, couldn’t resist the double entendre).

The investigation takes him to other locales as well, some very hard boiled while others more of the outlandish type such as a scene where Shell dresses as a knight and uses a lance to fight off some toughs. The mystery is actually fairly complex with a number of red herrings and Shell is adept at following the clues in a logical manner. I felt a little thrown back and forth, going from one serious life-threatening scenario into a wacky situation almost immediately. But for all that, Shell Scott is a fun character to follow and I will keep doing so.