“Top of the Heap” is one of the more misleading HCC books, where the inability to pitch it directly means you gotta’ drum up a tag line and cover to match the genre.  …  But it’s still an enjoyable romp, one of the more lighthearted HCC books that doesn’t feel like you’re reading a dirty dimestore pulp, but rather something that, fifty years ago, would’ve flown into your collection as a sweet escape.

sometimes i am not happy with life, and i click here to feel fulfilled

This is almost a perfect book.  Max Phillips’ strings together characters and dialogue in such a beautiful way – just enough attitude, just enough playfulness, before slamming it back down to reality with some harsh words and truths.  If only ‘Fade to Blonde’ stirred up a little trouble instead of playing out like a light mystery, it would’ve given the tale the added dose of terror it needed to be perfect…

TO STIR UP TROUBLE CLICK HERE

When I first read Lawrence Block’s ‘Grifter’s Game,’ I had no idea what I was in for.  The setup plays straight enough, but the ending – still, reading it through a second time – is one of the darkest things I’ve read, and that initial time through the book it was quite a leap from where it started.  I loved it, but it was bleak stuff.  On my second trip through, some years later, the themes are a lot clearer in the story, and the plummet not so steep, but it’s still a devastating read…

READ MORE ABOUT THINGS I’VE READ

I read a review for a Chesbro’s “Mongo” books a million years ago in a short-lived comic book magazine called “Combo.”  I scoured used book shops to find these little gems, assured that the series – about a dwarf detective – would fulfill the weirdo niche I was hoping to dedicate myself to.  I found one at put it proudly on my shelf.  I still haven’t read it.  But I picked up some more Chesbro books along the way at used stores here and there.  And so… Veil is my first.  I’m choosing not to judge his other works by it…

AND OTHER REASONS YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO ME

The first book of the Strain Trilogy – called, uh, ‘The Strain’ – had fanboys automatically saying fanboy things and telling me that it was an awesome book when I would see them on the train or pass by them on the street.  It had a nice built-in audience thanks to director Guillermo del Toro.

Because it’s important, let’s take a moment to talk about my feelings toward del Toro…

SHOW ME ALL OF YOUR WORDS THIS INSTANT