Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Longarm and the Pulp Master

I was sad to hear that James Reasoner's latest Longarm novel may be his last. This is a series I usually dipped into only when JR released a new one, knowing each slim volume would be packed with pure pulp adventure. My favorite is LONGARM AND THE PINE BOX PAYOFF. I asked Mr. Reasoner for a complete list of his stories and he was kind enough to send me the following:

#178 LONGARM AND THE GOLDEN DEATH
#185 LONGARM AND THE DRIFTING BADGE
#192 LONGARM AND THE MAN-EATERS

#207 LONGARM AND THE BRAZOS DEVIL
#208 LONGARM AND THE ANGEL OF INFERNO
#214 LONGARM AND THE RACY LADIES
#222 LONGARM AND THE BACKWOODS BARONESS
#228 LONGARM AND THE VOODOO QUEEN
#229 LONGARM AND THE BORDER WILDCAT
#242 LONGARM AND THE RED-LIGHT LADIES
#245 LONGARM AND THE VANISHING VIRGIN
#250 LONGARM AND THE CHAIN-GANG WOMEN
#253 LONGARM IN THE VALLEY OF SIN
#256 LONGARM AND THE DYNAMITE DAMSEL
#258 LONGARM AND THE PISTOLERO PRINCESS
#261 LONGARM AND THE GOLDEN GODDESS
#266 LONGARM AND THE WAYWARD WIDOW
#272 LONGARM AND THE SIX-GUN SENORITA
#277 LONGARM AND THE YUKON QUEEN
#279 LONGARM ON A WITCH HUNT
#281 LONGARM AND THE LADY LAWYER
#283 LONGARM AND THE OZARK ANGEL
#287 LONGARM AND THE BLACKMAILERS
#290 LONGARM AND THE DESERT ROSE
#294 LONGARM AND THE ARIZONA FLAME

#301 LONGARM AND THE BANK ROBBER'S DAUGHTER
#302 LONGARM AND THE GOLDEN GHOST
#309 LONGARM IN THE TALL TIMBER
#311 LONGARM AND THE DEVIL’S BRIDE
#315 LONGARM AND THE LOST PATROL
#320 LONGARM AND THE TEXAS TREASURE HUNT
#323 LONGARM AND THE SCARLET RIDER

#329 LONGARM AND THE RESTLESS REDHEAD
#332 LONGARM AND THE OWLHOOT'S GRAVEYARD
#342 LONGARM AND THE BAYOU TREASURE
#345 LONGARM AND THE HELL RIDERS
#350 LONGARM AND THE HANGTREE VENGEANCE
#352 LONGARM AND THE PINE BOX PAYOFF
#374 LONGARM AND THE SAND PIRATES
#379 LONGARM AND THE DEADLY FLOOD
#387 LONGARM AND THE PANAMINT PANIC
#390 LONGARM AND THE BLOODY RELIC

LONGARM GIANT #24: LONGARM AND THE OUTLAW EMPRESS
LONGARM GIANT #25: LONGARM AND THE GOLDEN EAGLE SHOOT-OUT
LONGARM GIANT #26: LONGARM AND THE VALLEY OF SKULLS
LONGARM GIANT #27: LONGARM AND THE LONE STAR TRACKDOWN
LONGARM GIANT #28: LONGARM AND THE RAILROAD WAR

26 comments:

Chris said...

That's a great, and impressive, list. James Reasoner is one of the best.

Cullen Gallagher said...

Just when I thought I had my TBR pile under control...

OK, that's a lie, by TBR pile has been anything but in control lately. But now you just ruined any chance I had of taming the list...time to hunt down these Reasoner Longarm books.

Dan_Luft said...

My first job was in the local used book store. I had no idea I was handling so much Reasoner, or Randisi with the Gunsmith series

David Cranmer said...

I 100% agree, Chris.

Cullen, My TBR is beyond control at this point but I keep adding.

Same here, Dan. I read James Reasoner, Bill Crider, Randisi, and Gorman years before I knew who was writing what.

Matthew P. Mayo said...

My TBR pile just fell over on me. I believe my legs are broken, but that's okay. As long as I can crawl to the computer and order up more of the books on this list....

Ed Gorman said...

I was going to say "And then James rested." But of course he hasn't rested. Thank God.

Jon said...

390! How far back does Longarm go?

David Cranmer said...

You ok, Matt? Hello? Anyone?

Well spoken, Ed.

I believe 1978 or '79, Jon.

Anonymous said...

Longarm Giant? There are Longarm Giants?!?!? At least 28 if them?? Oh no, no, no, no. I have much work to do... and considering the rest of the list, perhaps new bookshelves to build.

James Reasoner said...

Jon,
The first Longarm novel was published in 1978, and there's been at least one every month since then.

Rick,
There are actually 27 Longarm Giants, because one of the numbers (11 or 12, I don't remember which) was scheduled but wound up not being published. Odd, I know. The first ten or eleven Giants are crossovers between the Longarm and Lone Star series, but after Lone Star was cancelled, the Giants were Longarm solo adventures until I started writing them. I revived the crossover concept and used quite a few characters from long-defunct Berkley Western series. That was great fun for me as a writer.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the list. I was just going to ask for it after James mentioned the last one the other day.

Got a lot of catching up to do.

Jeff M.

David Barber said...

I'd not heard of this series but I'll certainly be looking out for them. Thanks, David.

Dave King said...

I've read some, but had no idea there were so many.

Barrie said...

That's an impressive list.

David Cranmer said...

Richard, I am going to become like Bill Crider and begin renting storage units.

You bet, Jeff. But you can still ask him for The Complete James Reasoner. That would be a staggering list for sure.

David, Try the PINE BOX PAYOFF. It is an excellent adventure to begin with.

Dave/Barrie, It certainly is an astounding list.

pattinase (abbott) said...

I had no idea there were so many. Go, James.

Charles Gramlich said...

Oh thanks for this. I have an earlier one but this is good to have.

Anonymous said...

So I decided to get a few of the earlier ones. Oh my. The prices on these things are, um, scary. $36 or so for most of them, for copies in good -to VG or new condition. Looks like the library, book exchange places or whatever will have to do.

James Reasoner said...

Rick,
Did you check ABE? I looked up the first half-dozen or so, and there are copies available for less than five bucks, including shipping.

AC said...

Great. More stuff I gotta read. Headed to the library tomorrow.

AC said...

Great. More stuff I gotta read. Headed to the library tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

I'm getting a hoot out of titles like The Wayward Widow and The Vanishing Virgin and definitely going to track them down.

Jason

James Reasoner said...

One of my editors on the series always wanted a reference to a woman in the title because he said those sold better. I don't know if that's true or not, but I got in the habit of it and continued even after he left, although I got away from that pattern in recent years.

Alyssa Goodnight said...

I like these covers! And your new banner too!!

David Cranmer said...

AC, Try DUST DEVILS by James Reasoner. Knowing what you like, I think you'll appreciate that one best.

Jason, BACKWOODS BARONESS is one title that gave me a good chuckle.

Alyssa, I asked my charmer to freshen up the banner and I agree she did a very good job. I may change the lettering to red but otherwise think it looks pretty sharp.

Lee Goldberg said...

Holy Crap.

And to think I'm tired after writing a miserable, pissant 13 MONKS. I am humiliated and humbled.

Lee