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If you’re a fan of the ACE DOUBLE series of mystery novels published from 1952 to 1963, you’ll want a copy of Sheldon Jaffery’s Double Trouble. Although we’re only talking about 130 books published over 11 years, the ACE DOUBLE series featured some excellent writers like Harry Whittington and Robert Bloch. The D-Series ran from 1952 until 1961, the F-series ran from 1961 to 1963, and the short-lived G-series started and ended in 1963. Jaffery provides an annotated list of all the books in the series and provides bibliographic information about each title. My only quibble is that Double Trouble doesn’t reproduce any of the covers from those wonderful ACE DOUBLES. Perhaps there were copyright issues. But, even without any cover reproductions, Double Trouble documents a series of paperbacks that still have the power to charm mystery readers.
Is a “Gismo” the same as a “Gizmo”? Inquiring minds want to know.
I bet you or Art or Bill could have supplied them with lots of covers.
The lack of cover artwork is my main quibble about DOUBLE TROUBLE, Jeff. Other than that, it’s a useful reference book.
I have this book, and it’s a handy reference. I don’t think some of the attempts at humor work very well, though, and there are a couple of minor errors (I can’t remember now what they are).
Yes, Bill, the attempts at humor are lame. In the Introduction, Sheldon Jeffery says that another bibliographer “needs to get laid.” That hit a sour note with me.
One of the Ace Doubles had one of my all-time favorite bad titles–Mambo To Murder.
Oh, yes, Ed! Good old D-109, MAMBO TO MURDER by Dale Clark (aka, Ronal Kayser). Classic!
I hadn’t realized Jaffery died. I met him at my one & only Pulpcon in Dayton in 1983, after which I read his Horrors and Unpleasantries: A Bibliographical History & Collector’s Price Guide to Arkham House.
The Wikipedia entry should be cleaned up, however.
Sheldon Jaffery was a great man. He was kind, funny, and a good writer. He loved all his grandchildren very much, but only saw two of them before he died.
You come up with some incredible facts, Jeff!
With no covers, this is a miss for me, that’s my primary interest at this point.
By the way, George, that expression “needs to get…” was pretty common in the 1950s as I recall, simply meaning someone cranky or grumpy.
Maybe if this book is reissued in a few years, the publisher will provide some cover artwork, Rick. I suspect copyright issues may be to blame for the missing artwork.
This review really brings back memories. I first met Sheldon Jaffery at the Cherry Hill, NJ Pulpcon in 1984. We became immediate friends and for the next 20 years we visited each other and hung out together at the Pulpcons.
I collect Ace Doubles and in the early 1990’s Sheldon was just about finished with the book but lacked information on several Ace Doubles. Fortunately I was able to lend him my copies, which just showed how much I trusted him as a friend because I learned long ago to never lend books. He inscribed my copy “For my favorite maniac–In dementia, Your Buddy, Sheldon”.
In 2003 he attended the Windy City pulp show in Chicago and seemed in great health. Within three months he was diagnosed with cancer and died suddenly before I could even visit him on my way to the July Pulpcon. Another great collector friend that I miss…
That was gracious of you to lend Sheldon Jaffery those ACE DOUBLES he lacked, Walker!
Did you flip the book over for the second cover and story?
Those ACE DOUBLES had a unique format and appeal, Patti. And, for those collectors who wanted a complete run of the ACE MYSTERY DOUBLES, there were only about 130 books to find.
George, is the cover of the Jaffery book by Servello? Kinda looks like his work.
The cover artist isn’t credited in my edition, Drongo. But, you’re right, it does look a bit like Servello’s work.