tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post5356016068794011256..comments2024-03-27T11:26:20.466-07:00Comments on The Passing Tramp: "It's French this time, but don't let that dismay you": Red Warning (1933), by Virgil MarkhamThe Passing Tramphttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09830680639601570152noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-33649076198791950902012-04-15T11:07:16.927-07:002012-04-15T11:07:16.927-07:00John,
Red Warnign is like Blue Train on acid (to...John, <br /><br />Red Warnign is like Blue Train on acid (to indulge in cliche)!<br /><br />Tomcat, <br /><br />I think your review captured Markham's work well. I have two of his rarer ones, Rusby and Snatch, will have to review. Deadly Just and Dead Are Prowling regrettably are about impossible to find these days, I think we only published in UK.<br /><br />Pitro,<br /><br />Devil Drives is a POD book in English from Ramble House today. Worth reading, I think!The Passing Tramphttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09830680639601570152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-55666435249531248002012-04-15T07:39:49.122-07:002012-04-15T07:39:49.122-07:00Sounds like THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE TRAIN with the...Sounds like THE MYSTERY OF THE BLUE TRAIN with the jewel theft and strangling. I've only read THE DEVIL DRIVES by Markham. He's a difficult stylist that's for sure; it was a struggle to get through the book. THE DEVIL DRIVES also reveals Markham's love of the bizarre. It's solution to the locked room aspect is something I would've expected from Harry Steven Keeler or even Carolyn Wells - had she taken a hallucinogenic drug. Although I come across Markham's books every now and then (DEATH IN THE DUSK and THE DEVIL DRIVES were reprinted extensively in the US and are the most common) I've never seen a copy of RED WARNING anywhere. A quick search reveals at least three copies for sale. Uncommon, but not rare, I'd say.<br /><br />Pietro -<br /><br />I read THE WAILING ROCK MURDERS. It has a great Gothic atmosphere, but I didn't think much of the mystery itself. After reading all those Judge Peck books which it resembles in plot mood and character (Derleth's books were written in the late 1920s), Orr's book didn't have much effect on me.J F Norrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06473487417479127354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-5450879129977573062012-04-15T07:26:49.390-07:002012-04-15T07:26:49.390-07:00@Curt:
"...not an easy read, but an interes...@Curt: <br /><br />"...<i>not an easy read, but an interesting one</i>" seems to be the summation of Virgil Markham's work as it also perfectly describes the book I have read (thanks for the plug, by the way!). <br /><br />However, it did not compel me to go out and collect all of his books post-haste, but I won't look away if ever come across another one of his novels. Anyway, good and interesting review! <br /><br />@Pietro: <br /><br />I always feel a pang of envy when I read about bookstores in Asia and countries like Italy. Why do we get stuck here with pseudo-intellectual and emotional laden trash thrillers and the rare writer who does get it (like M.P.O. Books) wallow in obscurity?TomCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03415176301265218101noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-137677673775151256.post-12553396141793468102012-04-15T01:52:55.179-07:002012-04-15T01:52:55.179-07:00In Italy, more than sixty years ago, the novel &qu...In Italy, more than sixty years ago, the novel "The Devil Drives", was published, at two different editions by two small publishing houses, thed disappeared. I am not able to find it: it is very rare. A friend who read it in English was thrilled, and I remember that on that occasion he also spoke to me about a Locked Room by Clifford Orr (also this novel by that magic year that was 1932), The Wailing Rock Murders, according to him, magnificent.<br />These novels are not yet in Italy, but I don't despair because a publishing house alternative to Mondadori, Polillo, is publishing a lot of authentic beauties. For example, two weeks ago came out in bookstores, the latest in a long series, The Mardi Gras Murders, by Bristow & Manning.<br /><br />PietroAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com