William Ard wrote 32 books in a decade. Ard died in 1960 from cancer. He was 37. Ard’s private eye novels gained praise from Anthony Boucher and other critics. Ramble House is now embarking on an ambitious project to reprint all of William Ard’s crime novels. The first volume, Perfect .38 presents two Timothy Dane private eye novels: The Perfect Frame and .38 (aka, This is Murder/You Can’t Stop Me). Francis M. Nevins’ Introduction outlines Ard’s short, prolific career. If you haven’t read any of William Ard’s fine crime fiction, this book is the perfect place to start.
I have this very volume. I do love Ramble House. Read the first novel, but not yet got into the second.
The first novel is told in the first person, Randy. Not Ard’s strongest suit. The second novel, .38, is told in the third person (which Ard uses for most of his novels) and is a better novel.
Someone (Crider?) once said – and I have to agree – that it is more entertaining to read Mike Nevins on Ard than it is to read Ard himself.
Ramble House does put out some great stuff, however.
Ramble House is one of my favorite small presses, Jeff. Their Harry Stephen Keeler titles are impressive!
Oh boy. Another book ordered. George, you’re a devil, but golly you give good blog.
That’s why Patti calls me “George the Tempter,” Rick. And thank you for that wonderful Anne McCaffrey review. I’ve begun digging the Pern books out of the basement.
Next week it’s Dragonseye and the Dragonquest trilogy.