Back in 1984, prolific fantasy and horror writer Charles L. Grant published the first of his Lincoln Blackthorne novels, The King of Satan’s Eyes. Grant’s hero, Lincoln Blackthorne, is a New Jersey tailor from the town of Inverness who goes on dangerous quests for magical talismans. Yes, these novels are take-offs on the Indiana Jones adventures. In The King of Satan’s Eyes, Lincoln Blackthorne searches for a deck of playing cards that promise immortality. In The Tail of the Arabian, Knight Blackthorne seeks the fabulously bejeweled tail of an Arabian horse, Knight, that is reputed to have mystical healing powers. In The Patch of the Odin Soldier, Blackstone looks for a valuable Viking artifact known as the Odin Soldier which has supernatural powers. In The Fangs of the Hooded Demon Blackthorne looks for a pair of ruby fangs that legend claims were once the fangs that once belonged to Dracula. Sure, these tales are silly but if you’re in the mood for fun you’ll find it in these books.
Is it just me, or are the titles of these books all deliberately awkward? One suspects that Grant’s tongue was firmly in his cheek, which makes them sounds very attractive to me – thanks George.
Sergio, you’re right about the titles of the Lincoln Blackthorne being parodies of the Indiana Jones series. Fun reading!
George, I loved almost all of Grant’s work. When not writing superb horror stories, he often gave in to his wry side to produce such books as the Lincoln Blackthorne series and the Kent Montana series. I’ve often wondered why no publisher ever snapped up his book LANCELOT AND BLANCHE, which he serialized in his magazine/newsetter HAGGIS.
Sergio, Grant often had his tongue in cheek as you can tell by some of his pseudonyms: Timothy Boggs, Lionel Fenn, Simon Lake, and Geoffrey Marsh. His all-time greatest title, IMHO, was 668: THE NEIGHBOR OF THE BEAST.
Jerry, I’m a big fan of Charles L. Grant’s work, too. He’s an underrated writer with the ability to write a variety of novels. I’d love to read LANCELOT AND BLANCHE!
I’ve read some of Grant’s horror stuff. These sound right in the Crider wheelhouse.
Jeff, Grant could right the scary stuff and this funny stuff with equal panache.
Having seen only a couple of the second printing covers of these, I had no idea they were written by Charles Grant, though I’m not sure that would have made any difference to me.
I wonder if Dave Lewis has read these?
Rick, the “Geoffrey Marsh” books would appeal to Dave Lewis.
Ain’t seen ’em, but they look fun.
I forgot all about the spate of Indiana Jones wannabes. That font sure got a workout for awhile.