BTAP #31: Artifacts by Gerald So

While Reggie Price had grown to an imposing six-four, two hundred-twenty pounds, I could see the twelve year-old in his eyes. His smile, even with two chipped teeth, was full of infectious charm. We'd been up about an hour when he jostled his wife, who had complained six times she getting airsick. "This is it, sweetheart. Just like on the map," he said. "This is it. We're rich!"

Finish reading Gerald So's electrifying adventure here.

Next week: "Nothing You Can Do" by Jason Hunt

Coming soon: Nik Morton's "I Celebrate Myself"

My Take On... (A Book Review Club Post)

Swords of Talera Book One of the Talera Cycle (2007) by Charles Allen Gramlich.

Why Get It: To join Ruenn Maclang in his quest to find his missing brother, Bryce, and explore the mysteries of the land of Talera.

Excerpt:

In a lull between successive waves, I ran across the deck and leaped down into the rowing-hold. I landed badly, sprawling across something soft, something dead. I scrambled away from the body and looked about. Oars had snapped like matchwood throughout the open hold. Arms and legs and necks were twisted to odd angles, but here and there amid the floating wreckage, beings lived. Even above the waves and wind I could hear their moans and screams.

Bottom line: Ok, I’m hooked. I’d never been much of a reader of fantasy novels making Swords of Talera a first for me—it was my initiation into the Sword and Planet genre. And what a pleasant initiation it was. Mr. Gramlich masterfully creates a vivid world with rich characters all while telling a gripping, action packed tale. I will be picking up Book Two to continue the adventures of Ruenn Maclang in this curious land.

More reviews on Swords of Talera:

Candy's Blog

Cedar's Mountain

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@Barrie Summy

The Iron Mask (1929)

I borrowed THE IRON MASK Starring Douglas Fairbanks from my mother-in-law, enjoyed it, and discovered it on the always reliable YouTube. MASK was Fairbank's last silent film and a sequel to 1921's The Three Musketeers. This version includes an introductory prologue spoken by Fairbanks, original subtitles deleted and 1952's narration voiced by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. added.



2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10

Other silent flicks posted on EPW:
The Navigator | A Trip to the Moon | Faust | Sherlock Jr. | The Great Train Robbery

Related topics:
Alexandre Dumas bio | Who was the "Man in the Iron Mask"?

BTAP #30: The Devil's Right Hand by Jack Martin

It was now his job to bring Dan Tanner, the man known as The Devil’s Right Hand, in for trial. Job or no job, Coogan was not about to take any chances with the gunslinger.

He crossed the saloon quickly, aware that eyes were turning to watch him, and pulled his Smith and Wesson from its holster.

Check out the rest of Jack Martin's thrilling western "The Devil's Right Hand" at BEAT to a PULP and don't forget Martin's debut novel, The Tarnished Star, is available to order here.

Next week: Gerald So's "Artifacts."

Coming soon: "Esther Meaney" by Patricia Abbott.

How One Thing Leads To Another

Little d and I were watching Star Trek’s "The Menagerie" and she enjoyed Jeffrey Hunter’s portrayal of Captain Pike. (Sidebar: I hate to tell ‘ya, Bill, my charmer thought he was better than your Kirk) I mentioned Hunter was killed in a hit-and-run accident. But after saying that, I started thinking maybe it wasn't right, so I went to the sometimes reliable Wikipedia and learned Mr. Hunter died from a cerebral hemorrhage at age forty-two. Scanning his bio, I ran across a tv show he starred in called Temple Houston. I had never heard of it and clicked on the link. The single season show was based on Sam Houston’s son, Temple Lea Houston. Having never heard of Temple, I followed the link to this...

Temple Lea Houston (August 12, 1860 – August 15, 1905) … was considered by many to be one of the country's most brilliant trial lawyers and was noted for his flamboyant and unorthodox dress and behavior. Houston was well educated and spoke French and Spanish fluently as well as seven Indian languages.

Once a judge persuaded Houston to represent a penniless horse thief and Houston promised, "I'll provide the unfortunate gentleman the best defense I can." Houston asked the judge for a private office in which he could confer with his client. Sometime later, a court official decided to check on Houston and the horsethief. He found Houston sitting alone in the room with the window wide open. Houston smiled and remarked, "I gave him the best advice I could."

Another remark for which he is famous is "Your honor, the prosecutor is the first man that I've ever seen that can strut while sitting down."

In 1899, Houston delivered the Soiled Dove Plea on behalf of a hopelessly guilty prostitute, Minnie Stacey, in a trial in Woodward, Oklahoma. That plea is considered by many attorneys to be an example of a perfect closing argument. [Wikipedia]

I couldn't stop there, I went on to the Soiled Dove Plea, and I have to admit, it was brilliant. You owe it to yourself to read the entire passage. In an eerie coincidence, Temple, like Jeffrey Hunter, died of a cerebral hemorrhage at a young age.

BTAP #29: Y Not by Travis Erwin

It was nearly a year ago that I happened upon Travis Erwin’s blog, following a link he had to Patrick Hemingway. Turns out, like me, he's a big Ernesto aficionado and we both devoured Patrick's reminiscence on his legendary father. I’ve been going back to One Word, One Rung, One Day ever since. Now, Travis kindly delivers "Y Not" to BTAP. I can’t help thinking Papa would enjoy this little slice of life with its colorful characters.

Next week: Jack Martin's "The Devil’s Right Hand"

Coming soon: Keith Rawson with "Marmalade"

Friday's Forgotten Books: The Camera Clue by George Harmon Coxe

The face, rather flabby and pinched-looking in death, held a curious look of surprise rather than alarm. From where Murdock stood, only the limp and shapeless set to the body spoke of death. Not until he stepped close and bent down beside Jerry Carter did he see the small, red-dish stain that had discolored the fabric over the heart.

Carter's murder starts off The Camera Clue (1937) and it's photographer Kent Murdock who solves the case with the assistance of his lovely wife, Joyce, and P.I. friend, Jack Fenner. Camera is the third entry in the Kent Murdock series, beginning with Murder With Pictures (1935) and concluding with The Silent Witness (1973). Murdock occasionally appears in the Fenner novels by Coxe.

Those of you who like old pulp mysteries in the Casey, Crime Photographer mold (Coxe's other creation), go no farther than The Camera Clue.

For more Friday's Forgotten Books, click over to Patti Abbott's blog here.