FORGOTTEN BOOKS #365: DOUBLE IN TROUBLE By Richard S. Prather & Stephen Marlowe

double in trouble
Do you have a book on your shelves that you’ve had for decades but never got around to reading it? I’ve had Double in Trouble, a “collision” of private eyes Shell Scott and Chester Drum, since the 1960s. I’ve read plenty of Shell Scott novels and plenty of Chester Drum novels. But somehow I never got around to reading their shared novel until this week. The plot involves a Congressional Committee looking into corrupt unions. Murders occur. Shell Scott investigates in California and Chester Drum investigates in Washington, D.C. Their investigations collide and more shooting erupts. Prather and Marlowe alternate writing the chapters. I prefer the chapters written by Marlowe. If you’re looking for an unusual pairing of characters and an unusual private eye novel, Double in Trouble fits the bill.

18 thoughts on “FORGOTTEN BOOKS #365: DOUBLE IN TROUBLE By Richard S. Prather & Stephen Marlowe

    1. george Post author

      Sergio, Prather and Marlowe have very different writing styles. But both produce fun private eye novels. There were several reprint editions of DOUBLE IN TROUBLE so you should be able to track down a copy.

      Reply
  1. Jerry House

    I remember this one well, George — it was my first exposure to Chet Drum. I had been devouring as many Richard S. Prathers as I could find and snapped this one up as soon as it was released. What stuck with me then (and now) was the difference in each author’s approach to narration, somewhat jarring for a younger (and fairly naive) reader. While still preferring the Prather half, I also began searching out Marlowe’s books.

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    1. george Post author

      Jerry, I always liked the Chester Drum books with their international perspective. And who can’t enjoy those wacky Shell Scott adventures!

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  2. Bill Crider

    I read this one in the dim and distant past and don’t remember much about it other than that I liked it. I have a vague memory that Anthony Boucher reviewed it and said that it was one of the longest p.i. novels ever written, so you can tell how long ago that was.

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  3. Scott Cupp

    This one has been on my shelves at least 30 years. Ive read some Shell Scott and Chester Drum novels along the way. It will come around after I finish my move

    Reply
  4. Jeff Meyerson

    I liked this one too. I read it 40 years ago! I remember the alternating chapters, even the back and forth when the two have a fistfight. I’ve always meant to look for more of Marlowe’s Drum books.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Jeff, I picked up the Chester Drum books whenever I found them. The international settings made them very different from the run-of-the-mill private eye novels.

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    1. george Post author

      Barry, you’re right about the amount of plot kluges in DOUBLE IN TROUBLE. That might explain why Prather and Marlowe didn’t write another novel together.

      Reply
    2. Wolf Böhrendt

      Barry, thanks for the link to that group “Golden Age of Detectives”, it sounds really nice and reminds me that I used to read everything that was available when I was young …

      Now I’m much more selective because there really is not enough time to read everythGot any really good new April Fool’s jokes?

      The ones collected on snopes.com aren’t so brilliant.

      Reply
      1. Wolf Böhrendt

        Sorry for the mistake, I was too quick:

        … there really is not enough time to read everything available – there’s just too much being published, and I’m afraid that it will get worse with ebooks taking over the known world.

  5. maggie mason

    I don’t think I’ve read either author. The book sounds fun, but I’m so backlogged. I also don’t read as fast or as much. Not sure why. I’m reading and enjoying the new Catriona McPherson, but it’s going slow. She’s a hoot in person, and this takes place at least in part at a jam packed bookshop. the title is Quiet Neighbors, and as far as I know it’s a stand alone.

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    1. george Post author

      Maggie, I love bookstore novels so I’ll seek out QUIET NEIGHBORS. I have the same problem you have: so many books, so little time!

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  6. Richard R.

    I’ve read both authors, and prefer Shell Scott to Chester Drum. Bill Pronzini also did a book in this style, Twospot, with Colin Wilcox. I liked it much better than this one.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Rick, I’ll have to track down TWOSPOT. I thought I had a copy but I can’t find it so I’ll just have to find a copy online. Thanks for the tip!

      Reply

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