Bond and Tucker

5 Replies

Today, November 23, marks the birth of two writers whose work I have enjoyed and intend to read more.

First is Nelson S. Bond (1908-2006). Bond wrote mostly short fiction in the 1940s and 1950s, although he had a few novels serialized. Arkham House published several collections of his work in the mid-2000s. He is best remembered for the Lancelot Biggs, Spaceman series.

The other is Wilson Tucker (1914-2006). Tucker wrote both novels and short fiction. His best known novel was The Year of the Quiet Sun. He wrote a short story about a man on death row who claimed he would escape by walking through the wall. I loved the twist on the end of that one.

Both of these men wrote entertaining science fiction and fantasy and deserve to be rediscovered.

The West Gets Weird

3 Replies

Reach for the Sky
Jason M. Waltz, ed.
Rogue Blades Entertainment
ebook preorder $4.00
ebook available November 30, 2020

There’s been a resurgence of interest in weird westerns in recent years. I think cross-genre pollination is a good thing, and I’m in favor of this interest.  That’s why I quickly said yes to reviewing an ARC of Reach for the Sky, a new anthology from Rogue Blades Entertainment. Continue reading →

“The Roll-Call of the Reef”

3 Replies

Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch

Today, November 21, is the birthday of Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch (1863-1944). Quiller-Couch wrote ghost stories. The last time a collection of his was in print was when Ash-Tree Press published The Horror on the Stair and Other Weird Tales. That was back in 2000. I’m somewhat surprised that some other publisher hasn’t come out with a collection since. “The Roll-Call of the Reef” is currently available in The Third Ghost Story Megapack.

Tonight’s selection is a nice little tale about a friendship between the trumpeter of a cavalry unit and the drummer boy from the British marines. They were the only survivors of their respective ships, both wrecked on the same night. The trumpeter is unable to return to his duties because of his injuries. The drummer boy recovers and goes back to the service. But not before they become the best of friends who play their instruments together whenever they can.

The drummer boy isn’t heard from for a few years. When he does return, he’s now a young man. He and the trumpeter have one final duty to perform.

I’ll not say anymore about the ending except to say I rather liked it. The roll-call aspect was a nice way to handle things, I thought.

Ghost stories at Christmas aren’t really an American tradition (yes, I know it’s not Thanksgiving yet), but I’m going to try to read more through the rest of the year. I have a collection that has an E. F. Benson story in it that hadn’t been reprinted since its original publication.

A Birthday Post and a Sneak Peak at Coming Attractions

Leave a reply

Today, November 19, marks the birth of Mary Elizabeth Counselman (1911-1995). She died on November 13, six days shy of her 84th birthday. She wrote short fiction with much of her early stories appearing in Weird Tales. “The Three Marked Pennies” is probably her best known story.

I haven’t had time to read any of her work today, but I have two books sitting on my shelf from Valancourt Press that are on the docket for the holidays. Monster, She Wrote is a nonfiction book full of brief biographies of women who wrote horror and science fiction. It has launched a series of collections under that title, the second of which is The Women of Weird Tales. Several of Ms. Counselman’s stories are included.

I wrote a post a few years ago about women in the early days of the fantasy and science fiction fields, so the reviews of these books will act as followups to that one.

Benson and Foster

4 Replies

Yes, this is a new post. No, I’m not dead. I’ve just been very busy trying to wrap up parts of this semester from Hell before Thanksgiving and participate in NaNoWriMo. There hasn’t been much time for blogging or reading.

I do want to make note of two birthdays. The first is Robert Hugh (R. H. ) Benson (1870-1914). While not as prolific as his better-known brother E. F. Benson, Robert did write a few ghost stories and a couple of novels. Sadly, most of these aren’t available in electronic editions or at least reasonably priced electronic editions.

The other birthday is Alan Dean Foster (b. 1946). I was introduced to his works through Splinter of the Mind’s Eye. I soon was reading his original novels such as The Tar-Aiym Krang, Icerigger, Orphan Star, and The End of the Matter. His Humanx Commonwealth remains one of my favorite futures.

I’ve not had a chance to read anything by either of these gentlemen, but I did want to acknowledge their birthdays.

Halloween Greetings

2 Replies

This is bit late, but at least I haven’t missed the date completely. I have been traveling today and really haven’t had a chance to post anything of substance. I hope everyone has a safe Halloween evening.

The minion jack o’lantern pretty much sums up my thoughts after learning of Sean Connery’s passing this morning.

But things are gloomy enough. Have a safe and happy evening, everyone.

Le Fanu’s “Carmilla”

5 Replies

One of the best ghost story writers of the 1800s was Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. Fans of this type of literature are probably familiar with him, especially those who enjoyed an older style of writing.

“Carmilla” is arguably the best vampire story that predates Bram Stoker and Dracula. It contains some genuinely scary scenes. It also has strong lesbian elements.

I first read “Carmilla” back in high school, but that was so long ago that most of the details had fallen out of the holes in my head when I reread it for the first time last weekend. My memory was that I had really enjoyed it when I was a teenager, and I wasn’t disappointed this time. Continue reading →

A Visit From Dracula’s Ghost

Leave a reply

Dracula’s Ghost
Charles R. Rutledge
ebook $2.99

A while back, like just over a year ago, I reviewed Dracula’s Revenge by Charles R. Rutledge. It was a great novella with some nice surprises. Now he’s given us  a sequel, and it’s as good as the first, and it also has some nice surprises, although they are a little subtle, such as the name of at least one of the uniformed police officers who has brief appearance.

Jennifer Grail is still having nightmares from when she learned that Dracula was a real person, not a fictional character. That’s when more vampires show up. it turns out that Bram Stoker wasn’t the only one to fictionalize a real vampire.  And no, it’s not Varney. Although I won’t be surprised if he shows up in a later book. And if you think the female vampire on the cover is Elizabeth Bathory, think again. Although if she shows up in a forthcoming book, that would be cool. (I have no idea if Mr. Rutledge is going to write any more vampire tales, but I hope so.)

Jennifer turns to Carter de Camp for help. The new vampire in town is trying to resurrect Dracula.

This is a fast paced novella, and Rutledge puts as much action and character development in it as some writers would in a full length novel. There’s no padding or fluff. Just a rousing good tale, perfect for this time of year.

I had the pleasure of reading two other stories recently by Mr. Rutledge, both featuring Carter de Camp, one in the forthcoming Skelos #4 and one in Castle of Horror Anthology volume 4. Those stories didn’t involve vampires, but they were related in setting and what work of horror they related to. I’ve always enjoyed Charles’s work, but reading these three works, all of which I highly recommend, gave me a greater appreciation of just how good a writer he is. Check his stuff out. You’ll be glad you did.

Spending Time In the Palace of Shadow and Joy

2 Replies

In the Palace of Shadow and Joy
D. J. Butler
Baen
trade paper $16.00
ebook $8.99

I’d like to thank Mr. Butler for providing a copy of this novel. I won it a few months ago in a raffle he held.

This is a fantasy adventure that will appeal to fans of Fritz Leiber’s Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser, although this story isn’t quite as dark as some of Leiber’s tales and has more humor. The publisher’s advertising copy says its a far future adventure, but I’m not seeing the far future aspect of it.

Indrajit and Fix are two down on their luck guys who are hired to protect an actress and singer, Ilsa Without Peer. Isla is the last of her race, and she is something of a slave to a powerful man in the city. She performs at one of the premiere theaters in town, The Palace of Shadow and Joy. A risk contract (think insurance policy) has been taken out on her. The risk merchant who holds part of the contract wants them to provide additional security. He’s got ulterior motives.

Things go wrong very quickly.

Continue reading →