Just got back from the Bouchercon in Las Vegas after a detour
for business to Chicago. In fact my only major complaint
about the time in Vegas was having to spend the first two and
a half days on the phone and on email with my job.
But, hey, considering the pulps and vintage paperbacks I
purchased, I still need that paycheck
Steve Stilwell had a goodly supply of mystery pulps and I
picked up two issues of the Ziff-Davis "Mammoth Detective"
with stories by Brett Halliday and William McGivern and
edited by Howard Browne. I don't have the issues at hand to
give a more complete listing as I shipped most of my
purchases rather than lugging them through three
airports.
Among the paperback finds: RUN FROM THE HUNTER By Keith
Grantland (Charles Beaumont) Gold Medal, 1957; THIS GUN FOR
GLORIA By Bernard Mara (Brian Moore) Gold Medal 1956; WHERE
THERE'S SMOKE By Stewart Sterling Dell Mapback #275, original
publication 1946; Ace Doublebook #415 FIRE ON THE STREET By
Stewart Sterling(Rep. from 1958) & DEAD CERTAIN By
Stewart Sterling (PBO1960); and a Pan edition of Keith
Roberts MACHINES & MEN (Original publication 1973). This
last is, of course, science fiction but I love Roberts and
was very pleased to find this copy.
I was informed by Bill Crider about the true authors of the
Gold Medals. I did not know Brian Moore had written several
in that line nor did I realize Beaumont had authored one
(this may be a collaboration). To confess my ignorance
further, I was unfamiliar with Stewart's Fire Marshal Pedley
series of which I now have two entries. I have seen Stewart's
name but had not read him. Frankly the flip side of the Ace
looks more enticing as it features House Dick Gil Vine, which
Crider tells me was also a series.
There were 1700 at this convention making it one of the
larger Bouchercons. I think Toronto in 1993 remains the
record holder in attendance with more than 2000. Despite the
size, the con had a very good feel. Multi-track programming
can be annoying, as when there were three
panels/presentations that I would have liked to have seen but
I was on another myself. Also on that panel was Jim Swain,
who really knows the world of casinos. I later attended his
session demonstrating several ways people have cheated
casinos through the years. He's an impressive fellow and I
picked up copies of his GRIFT SENSE and FUNNY MONEY, both
from Ballentine.
The Private Eye Writers of America awards dinner was a lot of
fun, even though none of the cabbies knew where the hell the
Little Theater of Las Vegas was.
Mine said he had been hacking for years and had never
had anyone ask to be taken there. Like so many others, we
drove past the hidden and dark street sign three times before
creeping along, we spotted it and turned to find ourselves in
a strip mall. "This ain't a street," my cabbie said, "It's a
God damned parking lot." Somehow it seemed an appropriately
PI-kinda start for the evening.
The Little Theater troup did a couple of numbers and founder
(and former Rara-bird) Bob Randisi made a surprising
entrance. Bob's awards plans had former PWA presidents
presenting the awards. When he asked Max Alan Collins to
present the award for best paperback original, Max reminded
him that he was a nominee "But I will announce the winner if
you insist." Bob quickly made a substitution. And the winner
was D. Daniel Judson's THE POISONED ROSE who in accepting
said his publisher (Bantam) "hated this novel." I heard later
he had been dropped by Bantam. Hopefully this award will
persuade Bantam to reconsider. Judson was also nominated for
Best First Novel. The winner of that award was Eddie Muller
for THE DISTANCE. Muller admitted he had been shocked by the
novel as it did not feature a private eye and in many ways
ran counter to all the conventions. He gave a very nice
acceptance closing with thanks to his late father, a longtime
San Francisco sportswriter who provided much of the
inspiration for the novel.
Best Hardcover novel--the top award--went to James W. Hall
for BLACKWATER SOUND. Originally a poet, Hall read a poem he
had written many years ago that was in the form of an award
acceptance. It was quite funny.
Even the fact that there were not enough tables and the line
was long for drinks and food did not dampen my enjoyment. I
found a reasonably comfortable window ledge and chatted with
S.J. Rozan when we were both not busy watching Stilwell throw
himself at yet another blonde. It was a good thing to see as
proof that he is recovering nicely from serious heart
problems.
Finally, Sue Grafton was honored with PWA's Lifetime
Achievement Award. After attending a string of 11 straight
Bouchercons, Grafton had skipped the last several. She said
the older she became the more she simply wanted to sit at the
keyboard and write. The award brought her back although she
said with eight more letters to go, she was by no means
finished with her achievements.
There's more to say about the convention but I've rattled on
long enough. I do have one request. Over the last several
days I have not received several digests of Rara-Avis. The
ones I missed are digests 456, 457, and 458. If anyone could
forward them I would appreciate it.
Richard Moore
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