Yes, I’m that “George Kelley” who wrote the Introduction to RAFFERTY/TO FIND A KILLER, the latest omnibus volume in the Stark House series of Lionel White novels.
I’m a huge fan of Lionel White’s work. White’s the King of Caper Novels and perhaps best known for Clean Break which Stanley Kubrick’s 1956 film, The Killing, is based on.
Back in 1979, I had ambitions of writing an article on Lionel White for Billy Lee and Bill Crider’s PAPERBACK QUARTERLY. But I didn’t have all of Lionel White’s books (no Internet to find and buy them!) so I took the bold move of writing to one of White’s publishers to see if I could contact the writer.
And, surprisingly, Lionel White replied! We corresponded for a few months. White sent me some of his books I lacked, and he was kind enough to answer some of my questions about his writing process.
Sadly, I was in transition from living and working in Wisconsin to living and moving to New York State and events put my Lionel White article on the Back Burner…until now!
Greg Shepard, Editor and Publisher of STARK HOUSE, asked me if I would write an Introduction to RAFFERTY/TO FIND A KILLER. I agreed, reread the books, and then remembered I had corresponded with Lionel White back in 1979. Did I still have those letters?
Sure enough, a search of my snail mail files from that era produced the Lionel White letters. I included them in my Introduction and I hope fans of Lionel White and his work will find new insights into the author.
Ted Hertel, who will be reviewing RAFFERTY/TO FIND A KILLER for GUILTY PLEASURES, had this to say after he read my Introduction: “That’s a fascinating set of correspondence from White — it seems that you, like me, never throw much of anything away (and more importantly, you can find it. I’m not so lucky!). Anyway, I just wanted to let you know that I spotted it and enjoyed it. A great contribution to the history of mystery.”
Rafferty (1959) tells the story of a powerful union boss who appears at a Congressional Hearing and finds his empire about to topple. The underworld connections, the women, the status, the money, the schemes, the wife and children, are all threatened as the dominos of command and wealth start to tumble. GRADE: B+
To Find a Killer (aka, Before I Die) is a novel from 1964 where a cop devises a perfect plan to kill his wife…but White supplies some cunning surprises! GRADE: B
That is so cool that you corresponded with White! I never heard that story. I also don’t throw anything away, like a 1996 postcard discussing PAPA OOM MOW MOW vs. SURFIN’ BIRD with Dave Barry, but this is more impressive. Now I have to read the intro and the books.
Jeff, thanks for your kind words! Yes, I corresponded with some writers back in the 1970s. Fortunately, I not only saved the Lionel White letters, I filed them in my 1979 mail folder. It took a little searching to find the Lionel White letters, but I was happy I did. I’m hoping fans of Lionel White will find some surprises in my Introduction!
Excellent. Another Stark House to get to and get.
Todd, STARK HOUSE has been one of my favorite small presses for years. Now, I’m delighted with being part of it!
How fun to see your name on the cover! And very cool that you kept that correspondence and could lay your hands on it. While I’m okay with the ideas of decluttering that are so popular today, there is some stuff that is worth hanging on to.
Carl, I learned to save most things from my parents. They were children of the Depression and were very thrifty and frugal. And, they saved a lot of stuff!
George, that’s such a neat story—and I love how it comes full circle with you writing the introduction to a reprint of two of White’s books.
Deb, I was ecstatic when Greg Shepard asked me to write that Introduction. I’m sure he was surprised by the result. And I hope other Lionel White fans find my Introduction very different!