Tag Archives: Secondhand second hand books

Books Update: Those Darned Teenage Hoodlums – What Would Dr Wertham Do?

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45_he_illfixyouw 45_he_rockabillyw*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: As teenagers became a recognised stage of adolescence, concerns grew about their behaviour and ‘seduction of the innocents’, as campaigner and noted psychiatrist Dr Wertham famously/notoriously??put it. All the furore sparked a rash of books purporting to document teenage life, and we are pleased to have several of them added to our stock. Harlan Ellison’s 1963 novel Rockabilly documents the wild private life of a rock star. Carl Ruhen’s The Violent Ones, about New York gang girls, is an unusual Australian addition to the genre. Two books by Hal Ellson, I’ll Fix You and Tomboy have approving reviews by Dr Wertham, ‘…the authentic truth of real conditions , the moral truth of facing evil that exists right under our noses’, Justice, ‘A powerful condemnation of a society that robs children of their youth’ and the Christian Science Monitor, ‘He takes the whole shocking and brutal story and flings it down as a challenge’ amongst others. All four books are 1st PB.

 

Taster Books – Exclusively Available To Shop Visitors

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TasterBookwAs we sort through the many boxes of books waiting to be put out, occasionally we find one that is still readable, but in too poor a condition to sell. We put these out with a Taster Book slip, so that anyone who comes to the shop can choose one free with any other book purchase. This gives visitors a chance to try an author that may be new to them at no cost. Taster books aren’t listed, and unfortunately, aren’t available for mail order.

Books Update: Alias Binder And Jones

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*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: Four books from two, but apparently three, greats of Science Fiction. Confused? Read on….. Lords Of Creation and Menace Of The Saucers are by Eando Binder, which was actually the pen-name of Earl and Otto Binder (hence E and O Binder), but in fact by the time these were written, Otto had taken over all writing duties, still finding time to write for Captain Marvel and Superman as well. Space War and Twin World are by Neil R Jones, a writer little remembered today, but who was a huge formative influence on several major writers. He was the first to use the ideas of future history (later used by Heinlein and Cordwainer Smith), cryonics (inspiring Robert Ettinger, the ‘father of modern cryonics’ ) and cyborgs and robots (Asimov) as well as being one of the first writers to use the term astronaut. Space War and Twin worlds both concern Professor Jameson, the last surviving human, who was revived from suspended animation by the robot-like Zoromes. Both books are Ace Editions, with the added attraction of Gray Morrow cover art.
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Books Update: More Than A Suggestion Of Sleaze

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45_gb_playithardw 45_ar_gladtbbadw*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: Doomed Sinner, Wanton Bride, Too Hot To Handle and Naked Tales: with titles like these and suggestive cover art it’s not hard to see the appeal of these books. The sleaze novels of the 1950’s and 1960’s used covers and synopses hinting at risqué content as a means of increasing sales of formats such as romance and mystery. Occasionally cover art and content were deemed to have gone too far, resulting in prosecutions for obscenity, but the publishers were generally adept at pushing the boundary just far enough. We have added a salacious sample of sleaze in a range of grades and prices, most of which are 1st editions. The books pictured are Play It Hard (Gil Brewer), Perversity (Francis Carco), Manhandled (Whitman Chambers), Spotlight On Sin/Backwood Shack (a double book: Doug Duperrault/Harry Whittington), Hold Back The Night (Desmond Leslie), Glad To Be Bad (Adam Roberts)and Law Of Lust (Bob Tralins). As for the content – well you’ll just have to buy one to find out if it lives up to the hype (just as the original publishers hoped).

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Books Update: Cutting To The Chase

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45_jhc_hitand-run1959w 45_jhc_saferdeadw*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: James Hadley Chase was one of several pen names used by René Lodge Brabazon Raymond. A highly successful author, writing more than 90 novels as Chase, and with more than 50 made into films, it’s no wonder he was dubbed the king of thriller writers in Europe. We have added six books (four titles) by Chase to the Crime section. Highlights include Hit And Run, featured in 1st UK PB edition, with John Pollack cover art, Safer Dead in 1st UK HC edition, also with John Pollack cover art on the dustjacket, a 1st UK HC edition of The Double Shuffle, with dustjacket, and You’ve Got It Coming! in Panther and Corgi editions.

Books Update: Everything You Ever Wanted To Know About Bond

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45_sl_forbondloversonlyw 45_ka_jamesbonddossierw*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: The world of James Bond has captivated many readers and filmgoers, so it’s not surprising that there have been many books written about the man and his background. One of the most respected is Kingsley Amis’ James Bond Dossier (1st UK PB), which we are pleased to add to our Books section. It’s accompanied by For Bond Lovers Only (edited by Sheldon Lane, 1st UK PB), which features many black and white photos of Bond women, the man himself and some of his guns, as well as 007, James Bond, A Report (O F Snelling) the first major critical analysis of Fleming’s Bond novels, and the only one approved by Ian Fleming.

Books Update: Heinlein Restocked

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44_rh_assigneternityw*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: Robert Heinlein is one of our most popular authors. This previously depleted section has had the following titles added: Beyond This Horizon, Farmer In The Sky, Farnham’s Freehold, Red Planet, Rocket Ship Galileo, Starship Troopers, The Day After Tomorrow, The Past Through Tomorrow Volume 2, Waldo + Magic Inc, and most notably a 1960’s Signet edition of Double Star and a 1962 Digit edition (1st UK PB) of Assignment In Eternity.

Books Update: All New Old Authors

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*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: All new old authors …. by which we mean vintage authors which haven’t been listed by us before. The wide range includes prolific and occasional, versatile and niche writers. Falling into the prolific and versatile categories are Ben Barzman (Echo X), a Canadian who wrote only two Science Fiction novels, but also many screenplays, Sydney Bounds (The Robot Brains) who wrote eight Science Fiction novels in addition to many Westerns, horror, mysteries and childrens’ fiction (often using pseudonyms) and Leigh Brackett (The Big Jump), also a screenwriter and married to Edmond Hamilton. In a special category of prolific and innovative is Mark Clifton (Eight Keys To Eden), winner of the second Hugo award for best novel. His ground-breaking use of psychological insight into the common themes of Science Fiction was recognised when he was awarded the 2010 Cordwainer Smith Rediscovery Award for unjust obscurity. Horace Coon (43,000 Years Later), wrote many books, but this is one of his rare forays into Science Fiction. The same can be said of C B Gilford (The Liquid Man) who was another scriptwriter and author. Matthew Grant (Hyper-Drive) definitely falls into the niche category, appearing to have written only one Science Fiction novel, but despite that it is highly desirable. Laurence Manning wrote short stories and series for early pulps and The Man Who Awoke is one of those series published as a novel. Eric North (The Ant Men) was one among many pseudonyms of Bernard Cronin, who wrote novels, short stories, poems and a radio play. Finally, we have two works written as novelisations: Charles Chilton (Journey Into Space) based his work on the highly successful radio series of the same name that he produced, and Will Garth, probably Alexander Samalman, possibly Henry Kuttner (Dr Cyclops) based on the classic 1940 horror film of the same name.

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Books Update: Old Masters VI – Frank Herbert & Theodore Sturgeon

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*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: Frank Herbert is best known for the Dune Saga, but he wrote many other novels as well. This week we have added Dune itself (just fitting it into 2015 to mark its 50th anniversary this year), Dune Messiah and Whipping Star. All are in GD or VG grade. Theodore Sturgeon is another author with longevity; we have added a collection of short stories, A Way Home, and two novels, The Dreaming Jewels and Some Of Your Blood, an intriguing horror/mystery in Sturgeon’s inimitable style, which is in an exceptional FN grade.

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Books Update: Holmes And Away

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*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: The world’s most famous detective stars in our Crime update this week. Sherlock Holmes by his creator (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) in his very first adventure ‘A Study In Scarlet’ and ‘The Memoirs Of Sherlock Holmes’, as well as by other writers, including Robert Lee Hall (‘Exit, Sherlock Holmes’ Sphere 1st 1979), Michael Harrison (‘The World Of Sherlock Holmes’ NEL 1975) and Michael Kurland (‘The Infernal Device’ NEL 1st 1979). If it’s a triple-pipe problem for you choosing which to buy, it’s elementary — buy them all!

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Books Update: Wake Up And Smell The Paper

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45_ssb_murder-vdryw45_lc_followtsaintw45_wm_thebigguyw45_vc_adelfuriesw*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: 30th Century Comics have been greatly cheered by recent reports that sales of real (as opposed to virtual) books have stopped falling. Now comes yet more proof that you can’t beat a real book, with the news that a new fragrance, Paperback, has been released “with just a touch of the mustiness of aged paper”. Chemically speaking the scent that habitués of second-hand bookshops identify with is a mixture of acetic acid (think vinegar), rosin and a relative of vanillin. Here at 30th Century Comics though, we say why have hamburger when you can have steak? Our mega crime and spies update gives you the opportunity to own the real fragrance, with more than 40 books added. You’ll be spoilt for choice with a nice spread across the decades. From the 1950’s: Graphic Mystery novels, some with Oliver Brabbins cover art, such as Murder – Very Dry (Samm Sinclair Baker), or two other 1950’s novels, The Big Guy (Wade Miller) and Follow The Saint (Leslie Charteris). 1960’s works include James M Cain’s The Postman Always Rings Twice, Adam Diment’s The Dolly Dolly Spy and The Great Spy Race and Winston (Poldark) Graham’s Take My Life. In the 1970’s we have Victor Canning’s A Delivery Of Furies and two blaxploitation novels, Black Gunn (Larry Pryce) and Shaft Among The Jews (Ernest Tidyman), along with Zero Cool (Michael Crichton disguised as John Lange), The Big Hit (Ken Follett disguised as Symon Myles) and The Ace Of Spies (Don Von Elsner). Finally one book published in 1980, The Drowner by John D MacDonald. This is not an exhaustive list (although it’s been exhausting typing it!): check the Crime, Spies & Sleaze listing to see all the titles.

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Books Update: Old Masters V – Edmond Hamilton

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44_eh_battleforstarsw 44_eh_doomstarFNw*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: Edmond Hamilton is truly an Old Master. He wrote for Wierd Tales and many other science fiction pulps, and he’s credited with producing the first hard cover compilation of SF stories. He also wrote horror and crime fiction, and in the 1940’s he wrote for DC, particularly for Batman and Superman stories. He is especially esteemed by us at 30th Century Comics because he was highly influential in the development of the Legion of Super-Heroes. We have five books showcasing Hamilton’s larger-than-life, epic style: Battle For The Stars, Chronicles Of The Star Kings (2 novels in one:The Star Kings and Return To The Stars), City At World’s End, Doomstar and The Star Of Life.

Books Update: Superbooks!

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44_esm_supermanlsokw 44_mp_superheroesw 44_tw_captamtggsw*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: Five books with the common theme of Superheroes join the shelves today: Superman, Last Son Of Krypton (Elliot S Maggin), Superheroes (edited by Michel Parry), Super-Folks (Robert Mayer), The Avengers Battle The Earth-Wrecker (Otto Binder) and Captain America in The Great Gold Steal (Ted White). All books are 1st PB editions, apart from Super-Folks. Please note these are all text novels.

Books Update: A New Category!

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50_batmanpenguinw 50_crackedupw 50_eisnerhaunthgw*Comic Strip Books: Our newest Book category is unveiled today: Comic Strip Books. Doing exactly what’s said on the tin, these are paperback sized publications containing reprints of comic book stories or, occasionally, comic strip sequential art stories original to this format. A formidable starting line-up consists of three Batman collections (Batman, Batman Vs. The Joker and Batman Vs. The Penguin), Cracked Up, all three Star Hawks by Ron Goulart and Gil Kane, three Tarzan collections (1, 2 and 4), Tales From The Crypt (with a Frank Frazetta cover), The Illustrated Dracula, The Monkees Crazy Cartoon Book and last, but definitely not least, Will Eisner’s Spirit Casebook 1: True Haunted Houses & Ghosts.

 

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Books Update: Seven Of Five

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48_eb_5caravanw 48_eb_5finfarmw 48_eb_5okirrinagainw*Childrens’ Books: Seven scintillating Enid Blyton tales of pluck, resolve, stiff upper lips and plenty of backbone join the bookshelves today, as the Famous Five make a welcome reappearance, all in Hardcover with Dust Jackets, from the 1950’s and 1960’s. The ripping yarns include the Five variously falling Into Adventure, getting Into A Fix, going Off In A Caravan, going Off To Camp, On A Treasure Island, On Finniston Farm and On Kirrin Island Again. Summer holidays were REALLY long in those days!

Books Update: More Science Fiction Anthologies

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44_bnm_bp_tendsummerw 44_lm_worldsweirdaw 44_ia_beforegoldenagew*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: An eclectic selection of anthologies join our shelves today, including Isaac Asimov’s Before The Golden Age trilogy collected into one hardcover book, John W Campbell’s choice of stories from the famous Astounding pulp and a tribute to him (The John W Campbell Memorial Anthology, edited by Harry Harrison), as well as a collection of stories from another famous pulp, Weird Tales (Worlds Of Weird, edited by Leo Margulies) which has the additional attraction of Virgil Finlay cover and interior art. In addition there is The Year’s Best Science Fiction Novels (edited by Bleiler & Dikty: it’s a slim hardcover book, so none of the novels can be too long), The Best Science Fiction Of The Year #9 (edited by Terry Carr), 100 Years Of Science Fiction Book Two (edited by Damon Knight), The End Of Summer: Science Fiction Of The Fifties (edited by Malzberg & Pronzini) and Other Worlds, Other Gods (edited by Mayo Mohs).

Books Update: Old Masters IV – Harlan Ellison

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44_he_shatterdayw 44_he_paingodw 44_he_approblivionw*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: A fresh batch of Harlan Ellison’s works top up our bookshelves today, with a mixture of Horror and Science Fiction all in Ellison’s inimitable style. Books include Approaching Oblivion, Doomsman (in a double book with The Thief Of Thoth by Lin Carter), From The Land Of Fear, Paingod And Other Delusions, Shatterday, The Beast That Shouted Love At The Heart Of The World and The Time Of The Eye.

Books Update: Hank Janson With Style

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*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: Hank Janson was invented by Stephen Frances. His racy detective novels of the 40’s and 50’s, generally published on a monthly basis, filled the gap formed when American pulp fiction was banned from the UK, and were immensely popular. (In fact they were so racy that author, publishers and distributors were prosecuted for obscenity in 1954). The late 1950’s Alexander Moring imprint, with red and yellow stripes across the top of the cover was arguably the most stylish of all. The front covers either featured art by the brilliant, elusive Reginald Heade, or produced in his style. Interestingly, many Alexander Moring publications have Heade covers that have been modified, usually by the addition of just enough clothing on the young ladies to avoid another prosecution for obscenity. Today we release 19 of these distinctive books, all but one Alexander Moring publications. In Hank Janson’s world things are rarely what they seem, and in this case the final book was published by George Turton, but in the Alexander Moring style. Notable amongst these books are Sweet Fury (FN/VF), Avenging Nymph (VG/FN), Bring Me Sorrow (VG/FN), Cactus (VG), Devil’s Highway (FN), Don’t Cry Now (FN), Sinister Rapture (FN), Tension (FN) and Whiplash (FN).

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Books Update: Evocations of childhood

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*Childrens’ Books: Today we release some examples of the most well-loved and memorable childrens’ books. Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland is available in a 1933 hardcover edition, with stunning illustrations (colour plates) and pictorial board by A E Jackson. C S Lewis’ Narnia books are represented in both the Puffin editions with all illustrations by Pauline Baynes and Fontana Lions editions illustrated by Steven Lavis (cover) and Pauline Baynes (interior). Two Monica Edwards stories, Punchbowl Midnight and Spirit Of Punchbowl Farm have been added as well as The Lost World (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), The Moon Of Gomrath (Alan Garner) and a fine facsimile edition of Billy Bunter In Brazil.

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Books Update: In A Land Fafhrd, Fafhrd Away

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44_fl_swordsdeviltryw 44_fl_swordswizardryw 44_fl_knightknaveswordsw*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: Fritz Leiber’s Sword and Sorcery tales of Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser’s exploits in the land of Nowhen first appeared in 1939, continuing for another 50 years. Much applauded and loved, and often imitated, the stories were highly influential for many authors, including Joanna Russ (Alyx) and Terry Pratchett (Bravd and the Weasel). We have all seven titles of the series, in high grades (VF/NM or NM), the first six all being the Mayflower edition of 1979.

Books Update: Halloween Tomes – Saturday

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44_rgv_princedarknessw*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: COWER PUNY MORTALS FOR I AM THE PRINCE OF DARKNESS! Well, strictly speaking, today’s tome is Prince Of Darkness, an anthology of evil edited by Gerald Verner. Forewarned is forearmed, as the saying goes, and this book will let you face Halloween or any other occult occasion with sang froid rather than your blood running cold. Featuring works by Algernon Blackwood, John Buchan, Margaret Irwin, F G Loring, Cotton Mather (who chronicled the Salem witch trials), Sax Rohmer, Saki, Dorothy L Sayers, Montague Summers and Gerald Verner himself (who also wrote as Donald Stuart) the book covers Witchcults, Satanism, Sorcery and Lycanthropy. This is a very rare edition from 1960 in VG grade at £70.

Books Update: Halloween Tomes – Friday

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44_dh-c_torgybubastisw*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: As we approach the dread day of All Hallows Eve, we release a rare horror title, The Orgy Of Bubastis. As any fule kno Bubastis (now called Zagazig) is a city in Egypt that was a centre for the worship of the cat-headed goddess of the home, Bast. Many mummified cats have been found within the ancient city. Taking a lax approach to archaelogical and theological accuracy, Derek Hyde-Chambers’ story has a small group of actors reviving the worship of Bast with terrifying results. Featuring the worst example of feline taxidermy ever on the cover, this is the first UK edition of the book in paperback, in FN grade; a rarity at £55.

 

Books Update: Halloween Tomes – Weird Wednesday

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47_weirdtalesApril1933w47_weirdtalesMarch1948w47_weirdtalesMarch1953w*Pulp Fiction: Weird Tales was published in its first run from 1923 to 1954, generating a new genre, ‘weird fiction’. It struggled financially for most of its time, not helped by being almost closed down when a 1924 story caused outrage by mentioning necrophilia. Circulation figures for other pulps were considerably higher: Weird Tales never passed 50,000, compared to figures of 300,000 for titles such as The Shadow or Doc Savage. Nevertheless Weird Tales was highly influential, evidenced by its enduring fascination with collectors. It launched the careers of several influential artists (notably Virgil Finlay, Hannes Bok and Margaret Brundage, the only female cover artist of pulps) and numerous authors. When the title started it particularly featured H P Lovecraft, Robert E Howard, Clark Ashton Smith and Seabury Quinn. Later a host of newer authors honed their skills (and paid their bills) writing for Weird Tales: Robert Bloch, Ray Bradbury, Henry Kuttner, Fritz Leiber, C L Moore, Margaret St Clair and Theodore Sturgeon.

47_wtalesDec1938FinlayintwToday we release 24 Copies of Weird Tales spanning three decades, 1930’s to 1950’s. In addition to the cover artists already mentioned there are gems by Jon Arfstrom, Lee Brown Coye, Boris Dolgov, Joseph Eberle, Matt Fox, Frank Kelly Freas, John Giunta, Ray Quigley, J Allen St John, A R Tilburne and Bill Wayne. Two issues (December 1938 and November 1939) also have whole page internal art by Virgil Finlay. Featured writers not previously mentioned include Isaac Asimov, August Derleth, Alison V Harding, William Hope Hodgson, Frederik Pohl (writing as James Macreagh), Eric Frank Russell (writing as Duncan H Munro) and Jack Williamson.

Notable issues include April 1933 (GD £75), June 1937 (VG £75), March 1940 (VG £60), September 1940 (VG £60), the 25th anniversary copy from March 1948 (VG £50), November 1949 (FN £50) and March 1953 (VG/FN £50).

 

 

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Books Update: Halloween Tomes – Tuesday

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44_rl_witchingdracw 44_rl_dracreturnsw*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: During the 1970’s interest in Dracula was rekindled by a newly discovered link between Vlad the Impaler and Bram Stoker and a plethora of films, notably with Christopher Lee as the Count. Fitting right in to the milieu was the Return Of Dracula series by Robert Lory (officially joining our shelves for the first time, although he also wrote many Expeditor books under the house name of Paul Edwards), featuring the adventures of a (metaphorically) defanged, resurrected Count Dracula. A sliver of stake close to his heart, implanted by a telekinetic paralysed criminologist (who else?), prevented any evil-doing. Today we release the first six of the nine novel series: Dracula Returns, Dracula’s Brothers, Dracula’s Gold, The Drums Of Dracula, The Hand Of Dracula and The Witching Of Dracula. Something to really get your teeth into!

Books Update: Halloween Tomes – Monday

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*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: As the nights draw in and the mercury falls, Halloween looms. In keeping with our Halloween Week Updates we’ll be releasing spine-tingling books daily. We start with a wide selection, ranging from classics by Bram Stoker (Dracula and The Lair Of The White Worm) and Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu (Carmilla) to more modern, but equally chilling works such as James Darke’s Witches (The Escape, The Meeting and The Killing), Peter Saxon (Satan’s Child and The Torturer), Robert Bloch (American Gothic and Night-World) and a trilogy by Robert Stallman (The Orphan, The Captive and The Beast).

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Books Update: Nick Carter And Raymond Chandler

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*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: It was just after 10.30 and the shopowner was still switching on lights as I bid Farewell, My Lovely to the dame who had driven me here. The shop front was blue, with a High Window. The white shops on either side made it look like a skink tongue sandwich. The Little Sister had told me that The 13th Spy with The Eyes Of The Tiger would be there to discuss the case of the Killer In The Rain. I went in – a bell chimed as the door opened………..

…… Nick Carter had used the time since arriving at the shop to reconnoitre: the layout map from the Brain Boys had been as exact as ever, but even they, he mused, hadn’t been able to solve the conundrum of the man he was due to meet. John Dalmas or Philip Marlowe? Which was the real man – or were the rumours of a third identity – Raymond Chandler- true?…….

…….Spotting the Killmaster I headed for the Book section at the back of the shop. He moved like The Golden Serpent and was dressed smartly, in the latest fashion – no wonder the doxies fell like ninepins for him. He was holding The Judas Spy – the right book. I picked up The Lady In The Lake and looked him in the eyes……..

……..Could this world-weary and jaded man be the legendary PI he was expecting? Would he be able to trade information important enough to defeat the Commie menace? Only one way to find out. Nick gave the code phrase, “Operation : Moon Rocket”, and was pleased to hear ” A Bullet For Fidel” in response. The man gave Nick a quizzical look, arched an eyebrow and said “Well, Trouble Is My Business”.

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Books Update: Who Knows What Evil Lurks In The Hearts Of Men?

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*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: The Shadow knows, and now you can too, as we have ten novels based on the popular 1930’s pulp fiction character. The Shadow used a bewildering array of pseudonyms (Kent Allard, Lamont Cranston and Isaac Twambley among others), as did the authors of these books. The original writer was Walter Gibson, but most of these books are credited to Maxwell Grant, although in Grove Of Doom the author is confusingly given as Walter Gibson alias Maxwell Grant. (Maxwell Grant was in fact a house name, usually for Dennis Lynds). Titles include The Living Shadow, The Night Of The Shadow, The Shadow Strikes, The Shadow’s Revenge and Shadow Beware. Unusually we have ..Cry Shadow! in a Hungarian PB, printed for distribution in the US. Nearly all of the books are 1st US PB, grading GD or VG, with the majority published by Belmont.

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Books Update: Film and TV – Space, Earth & Ocean

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*TV/Film Tie-Ins: There’s something for adventurous landlubbers, would-be astronauts and mariners in this latest update. On land we have the Avengers in Heil Harris! (Emma Peel takes over the world!), Callan in A Red File For Callan, Dangerman in Hell For Tomorrow, and Invaders At Ground Zero (the first Tales for Tomorrow novelisation). In space we have two Space: 1999 books, Astral Quest and The Space Guardians, while on the ocean wave we have The Boatniks, the novelisation of a Walt Disney film featuring Phil Silvers.

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Books Update: Old Masters III – Michael Moorcock

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44_mm_tbaneblswordw 44_mm_teternalchampionw 44_mm_ticeschoonerw*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: Michael Moorcock is certainly one of the most productive and versatile Science Fiction and Fantasy authors around. We have added new titles to his already substantial section. Titles include A Cure For Cancer and The English Assassin (Books 2 and 3 of the Jerry Cornelius series: Book 4, The Condition Of Muzak is already available), The Bull And The Spear (Book 4 of the Corum series), The Land Leviathan and The Steel Tsar (Books 2 and 3 of the Oswald Bastable series, to go with The Warlord Of The Air already present), The Bane Of The Black Sword (Book 5 in the Elric series), The Ice Schooner and The Eternal Champion.

Books Update: A Huge Haul Of Horror

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*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: Taking advantage of the extra space on the bookshelves, we have added more than thirty horror titles, many of them anthologies. Authors/editors include Lady Cynthia Asquith, Algernon Blackwood, Ray Bradbury, Robert Bloch, John Burke, R Chetwynd-Hayes (Unbidden), Peter Haining (notably Dr Caligari’s Black Book), Edward D Hoch, Harry Ludlam, Eric Frank Russell (Dark Tides), Kurt Singer and Herbert Van Thal. There are also two listed under No Author, presumably because they are so bloodcurdling that no-one was prepared to admit to them.  So as the nights draw in, what better way to spend a long dark evening than enjoying a spine-chilling tale or two?

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Books Update: Mr Hitchock’s Gruesomely Ghoulish, Hideously Horrifying And Mysteriously Macarbre Murders

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*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: Not content with directing some of the most effectively terrifying films, Alfred Hitchcock lent his name to compilations of tales of chilling death in several collections often revealing a penchant for appalling puns. We have a number of books from each of ‘Alfred Hitchcock Presents..’ and ‘Alfred Hitchcock’s ..’ series of anthologies, as well as his ‘My Favourites In Suspense 1’. Featuring renowned authors such as Jerome Bixby, Robert Bloch, John Burke, Ruth Chatterton, Jonathan Craig, Roald Dahl, August Derleth, Hal Ellson, Brett Halliday, Edward D Hoch, James Holding, Damon Knight, Fritz Leiber and Arthur Porges and numerous others, you’re guaranteed a spine-tingling time reading these.

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Books Update: Sexton Blake Novels And Digests

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*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: Often dubbed ‘the poor man Sherlock Holmes’, there’s still no doubting the popularity of Sexton Blake, who has probably had far more fiction written of him than the world’s greatest detective. Our range has now been enhanced by the addition of six novels and more than twenty digests from the famous Sexton Blake Library. These are picture library sized, but mainly text. The series ran from 1915 to 1968, and our new influx of stock dates from the late 1950’s to the early 1960’s, following the 1956 revamp by W Howard Baker when the covers took on a more gangster/sleazy mode and were drawn by notable artists such as Reginald Heade (as on The Wicked Three shown below). Written by a ‘harem’ of notable writers including Wilfred McNeilly, W Howard Baker, Michael Moorcock (moonlighting as Desmond Reid), Peter Saxon and Jack Trevor Story, the longevity of the series is testament to the quality of the plotting and writing. And a factoid: one of Sexton Blake’s arch-enemies, was Zenith the Albino –  who is widely acknowledged to have inspired Moorcock’s morose hero Elric.
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Books Update: The Dennis Wheatley Library Of The Occult

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44_rhb_tnecromancersw44_jkh_downtherew*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: In the 1970’s Dennis Wheatley (author of To The Devil A Daughter and many more books in a similar vein) assembled a collection of books to act as a guided tour of the worlds of magic and mayhem. We have five books from this Library Of Occult: The Necromancers by R H Benson, The Gap In The Curtain by John Buchan, Down There by J K Huysmans, Voodoo by Alfred Metraux (a factual account, allegedly) and Harry Price Ghost-Hunter by Paul Tabori (a biography). Covering Ghosts, Necromancy, Prescience, Satanism and Voodoo these represent a good start for anyone wishing to broaden their knowledge of the occult (!).

Books Update: In The Tradition Of Conan

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*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Robert E Howard should be feeling very pleased, as all of these books are ‘In the tradition of Conan’. The heroes featured include Tark (Colum MacConnell), Odan the Half-God (Norvil Manning; actually Kenneth Bulmer), Cormac (Andrew J Offutt & Keith Taylor), ex-gladiator Prester John (Norvell W Page), Bran Mak Morn (David C Smith & Richard Tierney and Karl Edward Wagner) and Jamnar (Dave Van Arnam). Most of the covers display the hero’s mastery of the lost martial art of Skan Ti-Do (fighting whilst encumbered by a barely dressed woman), and more muscles than seem humanly possible, although they all seem to have found time to wax to display their musculature to maximum advantage. All of these books are 1st US PB and an added bonus is that Lord Of Blood (Dave Van Arnam) has a Steranko cover.

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Books Update: Madeleine Brent – ‘Mother’ Of Modesty Blaise

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45_mb_tcapricornstonew*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: No time for love in our Books department – no bodice-ripping Regency doorstops here, thank you – but for the author Madeleine Brent, we make an exception. Because ‘Madeleine Brent was a pseudonym for Peter O’Donnell, creator of Modesty Blaise, who used a variety of aliases in his long career as a jobbing author, and where the Madeleine Brent novels stand out is that their heroines are unusually skilled, preternaturally gifted, physically courageous, or all three. These tightly-plotted stories all have a strong adventurous/suspense  component, and it’s easy to imagine – if you have the Phillip Jose Farmer mindset of wanting to connect all the fictional realms – that Madeleine Brent heroines are ancestresses of the mysterious Modesty! From the boomerang-throwing Mitjikwin of “Golden Urchin” to the heiress-turned-music hall performer Bridie Chance of “Capricorn Stone”, these ladies are independent, intelligent, and highly entertaining.  We have five of the nine Brent novels available from a variety of publishers and in varying condition, so if we’ve managed to pique your curiosity, now’s a good time to try!

Books Update: Old Masters II – Bradbury And Heinlein

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*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: Once again we have added books to broaden the range offered by two very popular authors. There are four new Ray Bradbury titles, Dandelion Wine, I Sing The Body Electric, The Day It Rained Forever and The Small Assassin. There are 23 additional Heinlein titles, too many to mention them all, but highlights include Beyond This Horizon, Glory Road, Methuselah’s Children, Stranger In A Strange Land and Waldo + Magic Inc.

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Books Update: The Baroness

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45_pk_tecstasyconnw 45_pk_hardcoremurderw*Crime, Spies & Sleaze: The Baroness, written in the 1970’s with tongue firmly in cheek, features an aristocrat by marriage who takes multitasking to extremes: international playgirl, model, millionairess and superspy. In these books she takes on and defeats a dazzling array of foes including Dr Thing, sex-starved Otto Funke, neo-Nazis, savage Arab oil potentates, Russian viruses, and S.P.O.I.L.E.R.. We have all eight of the US editions, mainly in VG – FN grades.

Books Update: You Wait Ages For One Omnibus, Then Three Come Along At Once!

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44_jb_2ndhammerhorromnbw44_jb_hammerhorromn1w*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: Two mouth-wateringly rare Hammer Horror books join our shelves today, featuring John Burke’s gruesomely spine-chilling novelisations of classic Hammer films. The elusive Hammer Horror Omnibus features a double double bill: The Curse Of Frankenstein, The Revenge of Frankenstein, The Gorgon and The Curse Of The Mummy’s Tomb. The Second Hammer Horror Film Omnibus is even more elusive, but by a spooky twist of fate we have two on offer. This book also features tales from four films: Dracula – Prince Of Darkness, Rasputin – The Mad Monk, The Reptile and finally The Plague Of The Zombies. All are 1st UK PB editions; truly horror to make you drool. Prices reflect their rarity: the first Omnibus is VG at £75; both seconds are GD also at £75 each.

 

Books Update: Old Masters I – Asimov And Clarke

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44_acc_2001asow44_ia_tcavessteelw44_ia_prelfoundationw44_acc_tsandsmarsw*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: A great selection of books by two great authors, chosen to add to the titles already offered. From Isaac Asimov we have Prelude To Foundation, Foundation and Forward The Foundation, I, Robot and The Rest Of The Robots, The Caves of Steel and The Stars In Their Courses. From Arthur C Clarke we have 2001 A Space Odyssey, Rendezvous With Rama, Earthlight and The Deep Range. We also have three late 1950’s Corgi editions, Pebble In The Sky (Asimov) and The City And The Stars and The Sands Of Mars (Clarke).

Books Update: Tutti Frutti Childrens’ Books

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*Childrens’ Books: A variety of classics join the Children’s section today, including two more Enid Blyton adventures (Ring’o Bells Mystery and The Rilloby Fair Mystery), Moonfleet (Falkner), Wishing Water-Gate (Elinor Lyon), 101 Dalmations (Dodie Smith), What Katy Did (Susan Coolidge), Treasure Island (Stevenson) and Terry’s Only Term (Ethel Talbot). In addition we have a pair of Nathaniel Hawthorne stories collected as The Pomegranate Seeds and all three of the Earthsea tales By Ursula Le Guin, an unusual Captain W E Johns adventure, The Death Rays Of Ardilla and another Billy Bunter (Billy Bunter Afloat).

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Books Update: Qhe! – He’s Not From Barcelona!

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44_ww_the-richesw*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: W∴ W∴, otherwise known as William Bound, produced his Qhe! series in the 1970’s. Qhe – mystic, divine ruler of the tiny Himalayan state of Pashman, jet-set guerrilla, cosmic-Bond and superlover (well, there’s a surprise) fights the good fight with his uncivil servant Willard, a deadly snake-charmer in a pinstripe suit. We have the complete series, all four in FN or VF grade, and all 1st UK PB editions.

 

Books Update: Steampunk Fantasy

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44_sh_tkingdombtwavesw*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: Although this a comparatively modern novel/work, Stephen Hunt’s The Kingdom Beyond The Waves has been favourably compared to such disparate writers as Jules Verne, H G Wells, Charles Dickens, Philip Pullman and Ian Fleming. With antecedents like these it must be good! We have a signed, NM HC copy, with a FN dustjacket at £40.

Books Update: Cops & Robbers & Spies & Space (TV/Film)

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*TV/Film Tie-Ins: The expansion of the Book Section allows us to put out thisTV/Film update covering a wide range of genres. We have the first three novels by Martin Caidin that inspired the 6 Million Dollar Man, Cannon, Dangerman (two novels), Paul Temple (two novels) and the Men from U.N.C.L.E., including a rare copy of the The Corfu Affair. We also have the World of Tim Frazer (an accidental spy), the Memoirs Of A Thief (inspiration for the film Teresa The Thief), the second 1990 novel, Blue Blood, George Lucas’ Star Wars novel, a few Dr Who adventures and finally Two A Penny, based on a film starring Cliff Richard.

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Books Update: Science Fiction Hardcovers

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44_wmm_acantforliebHCw*Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror: Eight hardcover books join this expanding section. A mixture of anthologies (Space Opera – Edited by Brian Aldiss, Decade The 1960s – edited by Brian Aldiss and Harry Harrison, Low-Flying Aircraft – short stories by J G Ballard, The Future Makers – edited by Peter Haining), a collection of three novellas (Three For Tomorrow – edited by Robert Silverberg), a novel (a rare edition of A Canticle For Leibowitz – Walter M Miller, with a gorgeous front cover) and last, but definitely not least, a collection of Michael Moorcock novels, Stormbringer.