Once again Subterranean Press has published a book I thought would never see the light of day. Thanks to the lovely Beth Fedyn, I’m now the proud owner of this omnibus collection. Hellcats & Honeygirls collects three sex novels that Lawrence Block and Donald E. Westlake collaborated on four decades ago: A Girl Named Honey, So Willing, and Sin Hellcat. The genre these novels fit into is called “sleaze” (but Lawrence Block prefers the term “erotica”). However, Block and Westlake are too savvy to just churn out run-of-the-mill titillation. Their novels have inside jokes and comic plot twists that will cause you to laugh out-loud. These paperback originals have been out-of-print for dozens of years. Now they’re available again. Buy this book fast before it’s gone!
Gotta get this one.
It’s a honey of a book, Jeff, if you know what I mean.
Crap – it’s sold out already.
You might try the Barnes & Noble web site, Jeff. Sometimes they have books in the warehouse available for sale.
I ordered this one when first announced and enjoyed it thoroughly. I love reading these books that writers used to make a living while working on their serious stuff.
I had the same reaction, Randy! I got the sense that Block and Westlake were having fun writing these books.
Good deal – I got a new copy on ABE for $18.90!
Way to go, Jeff! I love ABE.
It’s been a while since you reviewed something I had any interest in buying – it was the A. Bertram Chandler – and this extends the streak, I’m afraid. The good news is I got an email from Tom Roberts at Black Dog Press about some nice things they’ve just released. That’s more my cuppa.
The A. Bertram Chandler book was last week’s FORGOTTEN BOOK, Rick. I’m a big fan of Black Dog Press, too!
This thing is going for between $65 to $95 on Amazon.
Maybe Subterranean Press will do a second edition, Drongo. HELLCATS & HONEYGIRLS appeals to a bigger market than the publisher expected.
I guess I didn’t realize so many of us have an appetite for “sleaze.”
I finished the first novel a couple of nights ago and it was a real flash from the past.
Glad you’re enjoying it, George. Thanks for the tip of the fedora.
Beth, when HELLCATS & HONEYGIRLS showed up at my door, I was surprised and delighted! You’re the best! Thanks again!
$65 to $95??? Wow. Subterranean needs to bring out a softcover edition!
Or the ebook version, Rick.
George, these are on Kindle but not as a collection. Each title’s e-book sells at $9.99
Thanks for the information, Michael! I also noticed that Lawrence Block is offering 37 of his novels in ebook format (and at discounted prices!) at openroadmedia.com/author_block.html
Bethy sent me a copy, too. I didn’t realize it’s becoming a hypermodern. I plan to read it as soon as holding a book is less difficult.
I figured the demand for HELLCATS & HONEYGIRLS would exceed the supply of copies, Bob. That’s why I urged everyone interested in the book to BUY IT NOW! Little did I know, Subterranean was sold out.
Did I say Bethy? My old trick of hitting two keys at once is making itself known. That’s Beth. The lovely and talented Elizabeth Fedyn, sweetheart of the regiment and heroine true.
Amen to that, Bob.
This book has everything going for it. Great authors, great title & SEX x 3. I predict another printing.
Enough people want a copy, Evan. I’m sure Subterranean Press will take notice.
Hard not imagine they wouldn’t let some of their burgeoning talent show. Wonder if these predate the kissoff to SF on Westlake’s part.
Most of Westlake’s sleaze was published between 1959-1964, Todd. Westlake was still publishing SF until 1967.
Those e-books are $10??? I thought the dang things were supposed to be cheap – $2 or $3 apiece. For $10 I’d buy a REAL book instead of a digital file.
I still find books to be more cost-effective than ebooks, Rick. Unless the ebooks are free.
I didn’t see it anywhere inexpensively, either; but if it’s sold this well, perhaps Subterranean Press will go to a second printing?
The folks at Subterranean are very responsive to customers, BV. If you contact them, they might find a spare copy of HELLCATS & HONEYGIRLS. Or, they may put you at the top of the list for the Second Edition.
Update – as of this morning (Saturday) you can still get a copy via ABE for $18.90.
/end update
Nice price, Jeff!
If you’re including straight-up fantasy in your Speculative Fiction SF, Westlake never stopped publishing SF (HUMANS).
I had the honor of speaking to Donald E. Westlake at a book signing after he spoke to an audience at the Buffalo-Erie County Public Library back in the 1980s, Todd. He was kind enough to sign some books (including the pseudonymous COMFORT STATION). Westlake didn’t say much about writing science fiction, but he did say he stopped writing Parker novels because he found he just couldn’t do it any more. He tried three times to write another Parker novel, but they all started to become funny. Westlake took the last Parker attempt and turned it into THE HOT ROCK. Decades later, Westlake must have discovered, to his surprise, he could write Parker novels again.