Gil Brewer was a prolific writer who labored under the struggle with his alcoholism. These two novels were published in the famed Fawcett GOLD MEDAL series. David Rachels, in his informative Introduction, says Gil Brewer wrote Flight to Darkness (1952) in three days fueled by booze. Flight to Darkness centers around Leda, a treacherous and manipulative woman, who plays mind-games with the tortured narrator. Flight to Darkness a psychological thrill ride into Hell. 77 Rue Paradis (1954) is a variation in the Gil Brewer oeuvre because it’s basically a spy novel. It features the usual betrayals and double-dealing that are standard in spy fiction, but Gil Brewer adds his patented psychological stress and mental mayhem. If you’re a Gil Brewer fan, this new STARK HOUSE omnibus is a must-buy. If you’re a fan of high-octane noir, you’ll enjoy Flight to Darkness/77 Rue Paradis. My review of Gil Brewer’s Nude on Thin Ice/Memory of Passion can be found here. My review of Brewer’s Redheads Die Quickly can be found here. GRADE: B+ (for both novels)
I loved REDHEADS DIE QUICKLY. Brewer definitely had a very dark side.
Jeff, I’m convince Brewer had depression and “treated” it with alcohol.
Another writer I have always meant to try and never seem to get to.
Patti, if you’re in the mood for some noir fiction, Gil Brewer is the go-to guy.
I routinely buy these Stark House Noir Classics, and this one is sitting around here somewhere. “Flight to Darkness” is one I read years ago and the other one isn’t familiar. One of my favorite Brewer titles is “The Vengeful Virgin”, reprinted several years ago by Hard Case when they were doing mostly mass market stuff. Nobody who wrote as much and as quickly as these pulpsters did can be consistently reliable, but Brewer is one of my favorites.
Michael, I have a copy of THE VENGEFUL VIRGIN around here somewhere. I’ll have to track it down and read it. I agree with you: Gil Brewer wrote some terrific noir!
Not really a pulpster.
I might have read one or more of these 50 years ago but don’t remember.
Any way the covers of the pulps (including Carter Brown and Spillane) were all very similar – show some cleavage!
George, I think you wrote about these covers and the artists behind them once – if not, do it soon! 🙂
Wolf, I have some books that discuss paperback cover artists to review in the months ahead. I have reviewed some paperback artwork books like: http://georgekelley.org/over-my-dead-body-the-sensational-age-of-the-american-paperback-1945-1955-by-lee-server/
and
http://georgekelley.org/forgotten-books-314-danger-is-my-business-by-lee-server/
Thanks, George!
PS:
If I had enough time I’d try to read all your past posts – and maybe even all the books that you mentioned … 🙂
Wolf, thanks for the kind words! Much appreciated!