This anthology from 2001 features writers I consider among my favorites. Ed Gorman and Marty Greenberg put together 439-pages of great story-telling. What I really like about this anthology is the length of the stories. Cain, Westlake, Block, MacDonald, Spillane, and Whittington showcase their talents in these longish stories. If you like what you see in Pulp Masters you’ll probably enjoy the two previous anthologies by Gorman and Greenberg: American Pulp and Pure Pulp. These are top-notch stories!
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Introduction by Ed Gorman p. vii
• The Embezzler by James M. Cain p. 1
• Ordo by Donald E. Westlake p. 81
• Stag Party Girl by Lawrence Block p. 142
• College-Cut Kill by John D. MacDonald p. 192
• Everybody’s Watching Me by Mickey Spillane p. 256
• So Dead My Love by Harry Whittington p. 330
When I was young I liked those “hard boiled” detective stories – and I have to confess I liked and was even fascinated by Mickey Spillane, though his world view now looks really strange to me …
Used to rummage through all second hand bookstores in London to find his novels …
Wolf, most of these hard-boiled detective stories project sensiblities of another era. But they are fun to read from time to time.
“Ordo” is certainly good…I read it in Westlake’s two-novella collection ENOUGH:
http://socialistjazz.blogspot.com/2012/02/donald-westlake-week-ffboverlooked.html
As I recall, the Spillane was serialized (!) in the first issues of MANHUNT.
Todd, there’s plenty to like in PULP MASTERS. “Ordo” is an underrated Westlake novella.
At about 70 pages each, if I average out the works/pages, these are novellas in my opinion. An interesting lineup, but only partially to my liking.
Rick, affordable copies of PULP MASTERS can be had on the Internet for a pittance. Well worth a penny!
Gee, I haven’t seen you in. ..minutes. (I just left George on the computer checking on his students.)
I don’t have this one. I know I read the Block and possibly the Westlake. I’ll have to look for a copy.
Jeff, many thanks for assisting me in getting computer access at the Marriott! PULP MASTERS is a superior anthology.
I have this one buried in a box somewhere. I’ve only read three of the stories and look forward to the others.
Jerry, my copy of PULP MASTERS was buried in my basement. I was delight to discover it, again!