The Outlanders (The Lon Tobyn Chronicles) by David B. Coe

The second book in the “Lon Tobyn Chronicles” picks up approximately four years after the events of book one, "Children of Amarid". One of the main characters from that first book has spent much of those four years interrogating their only prisoner from the attacks of the neighboring lands of Lon-Ser. He convinces his friends in the Order of Mages that is in their best interest to attempt to form a peaceful coexistence with that land but others within the Order are not inclined to agree. The resulting internal struggle forms the beginning of much drama that unfolds in this second novel.

Once again, the author does an excellent job of world-building, this time concentrating on Lon-Ser which is a much more advanced civilization than the rather typical fantasy setting of Tobyn-Ser introduced in book one. Their use of mechanical and technological advancements would grant them a huge advantage in any conflict. But such advancements of course, do not prevent individuals from craving power and prestige and thus their political leaders often advance by assassinating their predecessors. 

This novel does suffer a tiny bit from “middle book” syndrome. While I enjoyed the settings, the characters, and the plot development, I knew there was a final novel still to come. So the climactic moments, while nicely done, were perhaps a little less climactic than what will likely be the case in book three.  Having said that though, I greatly look forward to that final novel to see how all these characters interact and whether or not peace will reign.

Bombshell by Max Allan Collins and Barbara Collins

In September of 1959, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev arrived in the United States for an extended visit and a summit meeting with President Eisenhower. As part of his trip, he visited Hollywood in Los Angeles on the 19th. Among the day’s activities, he was given a tour of the Twentieth Century Fox Studios and was taken on to the sound stage for the movie “Can-Can”. He met a slew of celebrities including Frank Sinatra, Shirley MacLaine and Juliet Prowse. However, when he was told he could not visit Disneyland due to concerns over his own safety and security, he exploded in anger.

This is all documented history. But what the public doesn’t know is that Khrushchev also met Marilyn Monroe, and together they uncovered a complex assassination attempt on his life. This novel covers that hitherto unknown thrilling aspect of his visit to the US, including a detour to Disneyland after all.

This novel grew out of a short story by Barbara Collins entitled, “Da Svidaniya, Khrushchev” which was published in 1997’s anthology, “Marilyn: Shades of Blonde”. The expanded version was written by Barbara and her husband, Max Allan Collins and originally published under their combined pseudonym, “Barbara Allan”. Now, it has been reprinted thanks to the good folks at Wolfpack Publishing.

This novel really took me by surprise. I confess my knowledge of both Khrushchev and Marilyn Monroe is minimal, mostly limited to the major headlines and public personas. I was also a little nervous about the seemingly absurd premise of the book. After all, how plausible is the idea of Marilyn Monroe overhearing an assassination plot and risking everything to lead Khrushchev to safety? At Disneyland of all places. But I must say, this story really gripped me. Absolutely delightful all the way through.

The story is told from the point of view of both of these icons as well as that of secret service agent, Jack Harrigan.  I found all of them to be fully engaging and realistic, especially the characterization of Marilyn Monroe. It really captures her accidental zany antics combined with a laser-focused purpose.  It’s hard to pull off a light-hearted but danger-filled pulpy thriller but these authors have done it superbly. And both authors’ knowledge of the era and celebrities of that time is on full display. Even Walt Disney gets in on the action.

All in all, this is a tremendously fun read. A page-turner to be sure.

Slaughter-House Five by Kurt Vonnegut

I’m not sure I am qualified to write a review for this novel. It’s been the subject of so many analyses and interpretation by the literati crowd and professorial reviewers that my comments will surely pale by comparison.  So rather than compete with some kind of attempt to impress with how it "affected me" I will simplify my analysis:

I liked it.

I have friends that absolutely loved it and friends that feel charitable when giving it only one star.  I can understand both points of view.  I think if I had read this in high school when many were forced to read and write a book report on it, then I would come close to hating it.  But at this point in my life and looking back at a 20+year career in the US Air Force I can appreciate its approach and style much better.   Especially the way the drama of the very real and horrific bombing of Dresden at the end of WWII is told in a semi-biographical way in a nonlinear order with events becoming clear through flashbacks (or time travel experiences) from the narrator who describes the stories of Billy Pilgrim, who in turn believes himself to have been in an alien zoo and to have experienced time travel.  

Boy, what a mishmash of a description.  Sorry about that but...so it goes.

Categorizing this novel is something else altogether.  I guess it’s science fiction and I guess it’s anti-war, and I know it’s a prime example of the literary device known as an “unreliable narrator”.  I also know that several of the other characters in this novel also appear in Vonnegut’s other novels but not always as quite the same character as they are here.

It sounds like a convoluted structure for a novel, especially with all the jumping around in time but I actually followed it pretty easily.  I’m glad to have finally read it, not only because I’ve always felt I “should” read at least one Vonnegut novel but also because reading it really got me to think.  I also understand it has been one of the most banned books in the US ever since publication and that always draws me to such a novel.

Not my usual cup-of-tea but I'm very glad to have read it.

Numbered Account by Christopher Reich

This is one of those books that, if I had only gone by the cover blurb (or cover art) or even a plot summary, I probably would have passed on by.  It sounds like a million other thriller books out there and unless you are really into financial thrillers or have read Christopher Reich books before, you may have chosen to pass it by too.

But I'm so glad I took a chance!  It wasn't without some reservation though, as this is not a small book; my paperback copy runs 753 pages.  But this is much more than "just" a financial thriller.  I wouldn't worry about getting bogged down with too much financial transaction and bank operations plot although you can't help but come away with an increased knowledge of Swiss banking practices, especially when it comes to depositor identifications.  There are quite a few characters here and we, along with the protagonist, aren't always certain where their loyalties lie or what their intentions are.  That alone kept me on my toes but then adding several layers of intrigue surrounding a take-over bid, an unsolved cold case murder, a nice romance, and even international terrorists make for a pretty complex and yet nicely interwoven plot.  

It's really difficult to believe this is the author's first published novel.  But the detail of Zurich, Switzerland, as well as the inner workings of a large Swiss bank makes it evident that the author knows a lot about what he is writing about.

If I have any criticism at all it would be that there may be too much going on here.  A couple of the plot elements seemed to be kind of stuck in there but that is really being nitpicky on my part.  It was definitely a page turner, and that's really the goal with a good thriller.

So now I've got to add another must-read author to my way too lengthy list.  Life could be worse.

Men's Adventure Quarterly, Vol 3 by Bob Deis & Bill Cunningham

The third edition of the Men’s Adventure Quarterly magazine is yet another fine addition to the stable. Whereas the first volume was devoted to Westerns and the second to Espionage, this third volume focuses squarely on vigilantes. All of the content, prose and artwork, is sourced from the men’s adventure magazines (MAMs) of the 1950’s, 60s’ and 70’s.

In addition to an editorial from both editors, Bob Deis and Bill Cunningham, a third is presented by famed comic book and prose author, Chuck Dixon. Three vigilante-style stories are presented in the first half of the magazine while it devoted the second half to the father of all action-oriented vigilante fiction, Mack Bolan, AKA “The Executioner”. A “book bonus” feature is presented for the first two Mack Bolan novels, "War Against the Mafia" and "Death Squad". These lengthy pieces are condensed from the original novels but appear just as they did in the pages of “For Men Only” magazine and “Men” magazine in 1969 and 1971, respectively. I’ve read both novels many years ago, but these condensed versions really capture the essence and most of the plots of those two books.

Of course, there is much more here than just the stories. The artwork alone is worth the cover price but there are also oodles of informative content about the authors, artists and publishers behind the work. A real highlight of this issue is as article written by Linda Pendleton, wife of The Executioner creator and author, Don Pendleton. Plenty of insights on the history of this iconic series is presented.

I’ll keep on reading these as long as they produce them. Absolute quality all the way around.

Swan Song by Robert McCammon

I've been wanting to get to this one ever since I "discovered" Robert McCammon's more recent historical fiction novels, starting with "Speaks the Nightbird". I knew from that novel and its sequels that he was an outstanding writer in general and had a gift for subtle horror.  I also knew his past career included some highly regarded full-on horror novels and after sampling "Mystery Walk" I realized this would be an author that would make my "completest" list (i.e. I have a burning hunger to read everything they've ever written, including their grocery shopping lists).

So this novel is a post-apocalyptic novel, huge in scope (and page count ~ 950 pages).  Nuclear war wipes out most of the world's population and survivors are forced to, well...try and survive.  Inevitably, this novel is compared to Stephen King's "The Stand" and fans will argue over which is better.  I choose not to argue with myself over that issue; nothing wrong with putting both up on that highest of pedestals.  But one can also make comparisons to just about any other post-apocalyptic novel or even such classic works as "Lord of the Flies".  

The novel is filled with unique characters, many of them playing tiny supporting roles that turn out to be vital to the overall tapestry.  The handful of major characters are each fascinating figures and whether or not they are fulfilling a "good" or "evil" role, the reader can still empathize with them. Many times we're not sure exactly who is a "good" character and who isn't, while at other times, it's crystal clear.  In fact, trying to determine where individual characters lie on the Jedi/Sith index is half the fun.

The novel covers the gamut of emotions.  At times the violence is raw, brutal, and horrific while at other times we're treated to the amazing beauty of characters' souls. At still other times, there are elements of the supernatural that enter the plot, elements of spiritual powers and faith against the force of evil.  The plot weaves brilliantly among different points of view, and, despite its length, I never felt it was too long or that the story dragged.  The ending is incredibly satisfying and after reading that last page, I felt like I had been holding my breath for the last hour and could finally release.  It's that kind of reading experience.

If you enjoy post-apocalyptic novels or end-of-the-world novels, then this is a must-read.  If you enjoy McCammon's writing in general, then this is a must read as it is considered one of his best.  For me, it's one more notch in my McCammon belt and I am so so happy that there are still many left to read.

Hot Lead - Most Wanted All Review Special by Justin Mariott

As part of the Hot Lead series of fanzines, Justin Marriott brings us an all-review special. It came out last year, in 2020 and was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise horrible year. It's a wonderful resource for fans of western fiction. More than 160 pages and over 200 reviews representing the vast history of the western paperback are all here for the taking. It is perhaps the best such resource of its kind in existence today.

The Forward to this volume, by noted comic book writer and western author Chuck Dixon sets the proper tone of enthusiasm for the genre as a whole.  Justin Marriott himself provides a thoughtful introduction while three more informative and addictive essays are also included: Paul Bishop examines ten of his favorite western authors, Howard Andrew Jones takes a deep dive into westerns in the Gold Medal line and Gary Dobbs provides a thorough analysis of Larry McMurtry’s Lonesome Dove Saga.   

The reviews themselves are organized chronologically with major divisions by “era” beginning in 1927 all the way to modern day westerns. You’ll find everything from stand-alone classics to western series, adult westerns, weird westerns, and even the comics. Each is granted a rating by the reviewer and of course, not all will agree, but there-in lies an extra bit of fun when reading them. I found more than a few that I at first disagreed with but the text of the review sells their rating and now has me thinking I might revisit them to see if my own opinion might change.

This is a fairly hefty product, especially considering the price. Most of the reviews are accompanied by black & white cover photos of the original publication and that in itself can be a fun way to browse.  One note of caution however: readers might well find themselves significantly expanding their wish lists for future reads so check your bank account before delving in.

** On a side note, I feel a little conflicted about reviewing this product at all since I have ten or so reviews in here myself. My words above reflect all the other content in the book, and I would feel the same even were I not included. Nevertheless, it was an honor and a privilege to contribute to the effort. **

The Eagles' Brood (Camulod Chronicles) by Jack Whyte

Once again I am marveling at this series known as “The Camulod Chronicles,“, the vast epic story of the Legends of King Arthur, but told as historical novels rather than fantasy.  This is a series to savor over time rather than rush through from one book to the next, tempted as I am to do so simply because of the fantastic storytelling and pure reading enjoyment.

This third volume starts a new “chapter” in the series as we have moved on to a new generation in the larger story.  The first two books are told from the viewpoint of Publius Varrus, but now we turn to events from his nephew’s perspective, Caius Merlyn Britannicus.  That’s right…the Merlin of legend is now the narrator of the story but this is not the long white bearded old wizard we often think of, at least not yet.  He is a warrior and leader of men, much like his cousin and best friend, Uther Pendragon.

This novel is a transitional book in the series as it takes us through the lives of the young Merlyn and Uther and ends with the discovery of a young 7-8 week old infant by the name of Arthur.  But more than that, the largely idyllic story heretofore of the building of the Colony of Camulod (Camelot) and the advancement of ideas and invention has morphed into the inevitable war torn strife of our heroes defending against the invading Saxons and others.  Much more about wars and battles in this one, and consequently more brutal than the first two, culminating in the final battles between Uther and Lot of Cornwall.  It’s also transitional in other ways as Merlyn’s encounters with influential people he meets during his travels alter his perspectives on religion, culture, and the motivations of countries.  He comes to realize, for example, that the invading Saxons, whom he has always thought of as inherently evil, are really no different than his own ancestors, the Romans, who also invaded the British Isles. No doubt these sorts of realizations will greatly affect his influence on Arthur.

I love the way the author presents a wonderful sweeping saga of a story, building in all of the familiar aspects of the legend but keeping it all at such a rich personal level.  A hint of magic does sneak into this one in the form of a few Merlyn’s dreams but they are more prescience than sorcery.  I really want to know how these same events unfolded from Uther’s perspective but alas I will have to wait, for Uther doesn’t get his own book until #7 in the series.  Meanwhile I greatly look forward to the next installment, The Saxon Shore, wherein I hope to discover just what sort of adventures Merlyn will be having with his new ward, baby Arthur.

Zorro - Volume 1 by Johnston McCulley

Don Diego Vega is the spoiled son of Don Alejandro Vega, the richest landowner in California and favorite of the governor. He’s a real dandy and despises anything that might be construed as work or that would require some amount of effort on his part. We know him better, of course, as Zorro, defender of commoners and indigenous peoples of California against corrupt and tyrannical officials and other villains. The early days of the Pueblo of Los Angeles was a cauldron of competing politics and devious motives. Dressed all in black and wearing a mask, Zorro relishes opportunities to one-up the mostly inept public officials who endlessly attempt to capture him. 

This volume opens with the very first novel in the Zorro cannon, “The Mark of Zorro.” This has been retitled after its original debut when it was known as “The Curse of Capistrano” first appearing in 1919 by American pulp writer Johnston McCulley. Interestingly, it was meant to be a stand-alone novel but the Douglas Fairbanks film adaptation in 1920 prompted more stories over some four decades. This volume collects two additional short stories: “Zorro Saves a Friend” and “Zorro Hunts a Jackal”.

I enjoyed these stories more than I expected I would. I worried that, like many pulp stories of that era, they might be rather dry due to the style differences from more modern works. Happily my concerns were for naught as McCulley writes in an easy-flowing, campfire-story-telling way that encourages the reader to keep turning the pages. The first novel, "The Mark of Zorro" was clearly meant to be the only story as it offers a complete account of Zorro’s adventures. It culminates in his ultimate success by exposing the corruption and winning the girl and even going so far as to reveal his identity to all. Subsequent stories have to deal with this and so they make it clear that only a select few, after all know that he is really Don Diego Vega.

A nice essay is included at the end of the book, written by Ed Hulse, wherein he takes a good look at how the Douglas Fairbanks film was conceived and its impact on the future of Zorro.

The stories differ from the movies and television series that readers may have seen but it was fun to read the original stories upon which they were based. Looking forward to more Zorro stories to come.

Last Days of Night by Graham Moore

This novel provides a fascinating portrayal of one of the most exciting times in world history, at least when it comes to scientific invention and the birth of technology.  It was enjoyable to read, to get to know the real-life characters, and at the same time learn about these historical events in a non-textbooky way.

The plot revolves around three main historical characters: Thomas Edison, George Westinghouse, and Nikola Tesla.  The inventor, the businessman, and the genius.  All three men were primary warriors in what became known as the “current war”, i.e. the battle over whether or not A/C or D/C would win out in the end.  In the middle of this tripod of giant historical figures is a young 26 year old recently graduated attorney named Paul Cravath, a name not familiar to me when I began reading this book but who I learned became one of the giants of the legal profession, largely due to his involvement in the “current war” and its successful resolution (depending on one’s point of view).

This is a pretty fast-paced novel with short chapters and a swift narrative style.  The facts are well-researched and the author provides a welcome section at the end wherein he separates facts from fiction.  There is also a nice little romance sub plot. But where the novel really shines is in how it is capable of transcending the simple facts of the events during the late 1800’s when electricity was harnessed and helps us to understand the nature and value of the inventive process.  A relatively brief 15 years in our history saw not only many new discoveries related to electricity, but also the birth of new ideas on how we would go about “inventing” in the future.  The notion of an eccentric lone inventor working in his personal lab quickly morphs into the business of inventing.  Really, it’s the beginnings of how technology is advanced today. 

This was what made me interested to read this book.  But in addition, thanks to having Paul Cravath as the protagonist character, I also got to witness the concurrent development of the legal profession, seeing it change quickly from a cottage industry into a legal “factory” with Cravath’s introduction of the idea of associate attorneys and building an entire legal firm.  Pretty cool.

I’ve read this author’s previous novel, "The Sherlockian" and enjoyed it a lot and I’ve also seen the “The Imitation Game” movie for which he was the screenwriter.   Clearly, much like the characters he writes about, Graham Moore is a name to watch in the future.

Highly recommended!

Zelda by Carter Brown

Earlier this year I was able to acquire a bunch of Carter Brown (Alan Geoffrey Yates) paperbacks for a fantastically cheap price.  To be honest I was mostly interested in the cover art by Robert McGinnis which have become collectibles all on their own.  But I happen to be one of those people who can’t stand to have an unread book in their house (which is a real problem considering my TBR shelves currently top 1800 books…owned but not yet read…) so I went ahead and plunged into this one, a random selection from the bunch.

This is reportedly the first of the Rick Holman series, although I have seen references to it being number two.  It was published in 1961, an era I’ve been reading quite a lot of recently although not necessarily by design.  Rick Holman is a Hollywood PI, a cool cat who tends to know more about what is happening than he lets on.  He is hired by one of Hollywood’s hottest glamour queens, Ms. Zelda Roxane to be a sort of keeper of the peace/bodyguard during a weekend retreat at her house where she has invited five men, including three ex-husbands to a blackmailing party.  Seems Zelda is short of cash and…well, it seemed like a good idea at the time.  One of the five men gets murdered and it is up to Rick Holman to solve the case.

Parts of this novel were exactly what I expected: a good mix of characters, some innocent, some dumb, some downright slimy, lots of titillating tease scenes, and oozing 1960’s culture.  At first it seemed to be a straight-forward crime story but then it morphed into almost a Hercule Poirot locked-room mystery story with Rick Holman even spilling the results of his investigation to the room full of suspects.  But in the end it morphed one more time into a twist ending that I didn’t see coming but endeared the character of Rick Holman to me quite nicely.

Happily, I still have about 20 more of these Carter Brown novels with McGinnis cover art to make my way through and I shall look forward to them for quick reads when the mood strikes me.