*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: A prime example of British gangster pulp. The novels of Darcy Glinto (Harold Ernest Kelly) are infamous. Full of gangsters and women of easy virtue, they were frequently banned and removed from circulation, and are now quite rare and sought after. Road Floozie was first published in 1941 – both author and publisher were found guilty of publishing obscene books at an Old Bailey trial the following year and heavily fined, the book characterised as ‘coarse and brutal’, and remanded in custody until payment had been made. The book’s synopsis tells you what you need to know: ‘The great civilization of the US has its seamy side along the open roads as well as in the confines of its cities. Eileen had to meet it, yield to it, or starve. She suffered the worst humiliations, the crudest brutalities. It soured her, but with her Irish blood she had to fight back.’ This second edition from 1950 is a nice copy with solid spine, just a 3 cm tear without loss down from top edge (and on flyleaf). Clean, clear pages and firm staples. 
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DARCY GLINTO: ROAD FLOOZIE Robin Hood Press 1950 2nd UK PB VG £60 SOLD