Hugh Pentecost created several characters for his mysteries. I wrote about Uncle George a few weeks ago (you can read my review here). Then there’s Pierre Chambrun who runs a luxury hotel where some one seems to get murdered with regularity. Another Pentecost series revolves around Julian Quist, head of a high-powered public relations firm. Quist’s clients always seem to be involved in murder and Quist and his team have to find a way to clear them…and find the real killer.
Die After Dark (1976) starts out with Quist approached by a friend who plans to run for the Senate seat from New York State…but may be involved in the death of a woman he entertained romantic intentions about. The divorced woman was found stabbed multiple times. Quist and his team need to discover who the woman had sex with before she was murdered.
Like all the Hugh Pentecost mysteries I’ve read (about a dozen) the story unfolds with alacrity and the pages turn quickly as Quist discovers more facts about the murdered woman and her past. If you’re looking for an entertaining, quick read, Die After Dark is your ticket to satisfaction. GRADE: B
Julian Quist series:
Don’t Drop Dead Tomorrow (1971)
Champagne Killer (1972)
Beautiful Dead (1973)
The Judas Freak (1974)
Honeymoon with Death (1975)
Die After Dark (1976)
The Steel Palace (1977)
Deadly Trap (1978)
Homicidal Horse (1979)
Death Mask (1980)
Sow Death, Reap Death (1981)
Past, Present, and Murder (1982)
Murder Out of Wedlock (1983)
Substitute Victim (1984)
The Party Killer (1986)
Kill and Kill Again (1987)
Quist was Pentecost’s “mod” detective and dressed accordingly, which makes this part of his character dated. (Pentecost also bowed to then-current trands in creating his detective John Jericho, a famous painter and social justice warrior.) Despite my irritation at Quist’s flamboyant persona, the books — as are all the Hugh Pentecost/Judson Phillips/ Philip Owen books — are fast moving, interesting reads; each can be enjoyed on their merits of plot, pacing, background and character. I fnd it impossible to go wrong with a Hugh Pentecost story.
Jerry, I’m with you on these Pentecost books: fast, easy, involving reads! I have at least a dozen more Pentecost/Phillips books on my shelves waiting to be read. No Philip Owen books…
George, he used the Philip Owens pen name only once, for MYSTERY AT A COUNTRY INN (1979).
Jerry, good to know. I might have seen MYSTERY AT A COUNTRY INN from time to time at various Library Book Sales…but passed on it since I didn’t recognize “Philip Owens.” But next time…I buy!
Never read a Quist book, but I have noticed the “dated” quality Jerry mentions in some of Pentecost’s other books.
Jeff, I think Pentecost and/or his editors were trying to “stay current” with characters like Quist. But “current” turns into “dated” fairly quickly.
I have never read a Pentecost book. Funny how certain authors elude you with no real reason.
Patti, at one time, Pentecost books were everywhere, just like Perry Masons and Agatha Christies. Now, not so much. There are 66 Hugh Pentecost books.
Never heard about Pentecost but have to admit that I limited my consuption to just a few US mystery authors – the standard program.
One problem was that you couldn’t get them at the library “Amerikahaus” because they only had “qualified literature” and paying for a book which you would read only once? No way!
There was so much interesting Science Fiction available …
Wolf, Hugh Pentecost was one of those prolific authors who began writing for pulp magazines and transitioned to hardcover and paperback mysteries.
I have never read Pentecost and can’t remember the last time I spotted one of his books at our large used books sales or in a thrift shop. However, I bet if I went into my basement and started searching that I would eventually find an unread paperback. It would be wonderful to have enough shelving for all your books. A friend stopped by the other day and asked me if I was moving when he saw several boxes in my hallway. Some people don’t understand.
Kent, I understand completely! I have plenty of shelving–all full–and over a hundred of boxes of books. Of course, every time I open one of these boxes, it’s like Christmas!