After all the Gruber talk I sat down and read
_Murder '97_. Someone asked about Gruber's interest in
Horatio Alger (a boy's book author of the late 19th century,
specializing in tales of American enterprise, values, etc.).
Well, _Murder '97_ is focused on the engagement of HB
detective Simon Lash to track down the owner of a first
edition Alger novel. Quickly turns out that the book contains
evidence of a 50 year old murder, the client doesn't exist
and everyone in Hollywood wants the same book itself. All in
the first twenty five pages. Plot is so complicated that at
times it almost reads like a P.G. Wodehouse, except that when
Gruber wants to mystify things even further he just knocks
off a couple of more characters. Very good book. Lots of
asides on the sleazy economics of the used book trade and the
compulsive nature of the book collector.
Also read: _Tweak The Devil's Nose_ by Richard
Deming ....pretty decent book, although not in Gruber's class
and _The Frightened Man_ by Dana Andrews (Alfred
Leffingwell)....not very good medium boiled novel with silly
moments.
James
James Michael Rogers
jetan@ionet.net
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