FRIDAY’S FORGOTTEN BOOKS #859: THE ICE-COLD NUDE and BLONDE ON THE ROCKS By Carter Brown

Between 1954 and 1984 Alan Geoffrey Yates published 215 “Carter Brown” novels. Although the 52 Al Wheeler books were the most popular series, I’m fond of the 28 books in the Danny Boyd series, too. Summer is a great time to play Catch-Up on long-running series so I decided to read a couple Carter Brown mysteries from the Sixties starting with The Ice-Cold Nude.

Billed as “New York City’s toughest private eye,” Danny Boyd is both tough and smart. Boyd also shares the same smugness that saturates Al Wheeler and is inordinately proud of his profile. In The Ice-Cold Nude Boyd is hired to investigate a theft of a diamond tiara during a Beauty Contest in California. As usual in a Carter Brown novel, the bodies mount up as Boyd gleans clues from the suspects in the heist. After a Near-Death Experience, Danny Boyd solves the case with panache. GRADE: B

I’m also fan of the 35 Rick Holman mysteries Yates wrote. Rick Holman specializes in solving “problems” of Hollywood stars and celebrities. Rick considers himself as an “industrial consultant.” Most of the time Holman’s clients are Hollywood bigshots: producers, actors, and directors. Sex and drugs are often involved, with blackmail, extortion and large sums of money added to the mix.

In The Blonde on the Rocks, starlet Della August hires Rick Holman to discover why she’s been blacklisted in Hollywood. She hasn’t worked in six months and frequently receives whispered threats on her phone. Show business detective Rick Holman follows a trail of murder and extortion to discover who is behind the plot to ruin Della August. Are you a Carter Brown fan? GRADE; B+

Publication Order of Danny Boyd Books:

The Ever-Loving Blues / Death of a Doll(1956)
Eve, It’s Extortion / The Victim / Walk Softly, Witch(1956)
Tempt a Tigress(1958)
Suddenly By Violence(1959)
Terror Comes Creeping(1959)
The Dream Is Deadly(1960)
Graves, I Dig! / Cutie Wins a Corpse(1960)
The Wayward Wahine / The Wayward(1960)
The Myopic Mermaid / A Siren Sounds Off(1960)
The Sad-Eyed Seductress / The Seductress(1961)
The Savage Salome(1961)Revised edition of Murder is My Mistress
Angel!(1962)
The Ice-Cold Nude(1962)
Lover Don’t Come Back!(1962)
Nymph to the Slaughter(1963)
The Passionate Pagan(1963)
Silken Nightmare(1963)
Catch Me a Phoenix(1965)
The Sometime Wife(1965)
The Black Lace Hangover(1966)
House of Sorcery(1967)
The Mini-Murders(1968)
Murder Is the Message(1969)
Only the Very Rich(1969)
The Coffin Bird(1970)
The Sex Clinic(1971)
Manhattan Cowboy(1973)
So Move the Body(1973)
The Early Boyd(1975)
The Pipes Are Calling(1976)
Savage Sisters(1976)
The Strawberry Blonde Jungle(1979)
Rip-Off(1979)
Kiss Michelle Goodbye(1981)
The Real Boyd(1984)

Publication Order of Rick Holman Books:

The Ever-Loving Blues / Death of a Doll(1956)
The Swingers(1961)
Zelda(1961)
A Murderer Among Us(1962)
Murder in the Key Club / Murder in the Harem Club(1962)
Blonde on the Rocks(1963)
The Jade-Eyed Jungle / The Jade-Eyed Jinx(1963)
The White Bikini / The Ballad of Loving Jenny(1963)
Wind-Up Doll(1964)
The Never-Was Girl(1964)
Murder Is a Package Deal(1964)
Who Killed Dr. Sex?(1964)
The Girl from Outer Space(1965)
Nude with a View(1965)
Blonde on a Broomstick(1966)
No Tears from the Widow(1966)
Play Now… Kill Later(1966)
Deadly Kitten(1967)
Long Time No Leola(1967)
Die Anytime, After Tuesday(1969)
The Flagellator(1969)
Streaked-Blond Slave(1969)
The Hang-Up Kid(1970)
A Good Year for Dwarfs?(1970)
Where Did Charity Go?(1970)
The Coven(1971)
The Invisible Flamini(1971)
Pornbroker(1972)
The Master(1973)
Phreak Out(1973)
Negative in Blue(1974)
The Star-Crossed Lover(1974)
Ride the Roller Coaster(1975)
Remember Maybelle?(1976)
See It Again, Sam(1979)
The Phantom Lady(1980)
Wicked Widow(1981)

THE CLASSIC RHYTHM + BLUES COLLECTION: 1964-1967

The Classic Rhythm + Blues Collection is another set of Time-Life CDs. I’m listening to the 1964-1967 volume because those were the years that I was inseparable from my transistor radio. And these were the songs I was listening to hour after hour.

Most of the songs on these CDs were Motown hits. The Four Tops, Jimmy Ruffin, The Supremes, The Miracles, The Temptations were all wonderful Motown acts who produced hit record after hit record for a decade.

Sprinkled in with with the Motown songs are some R&B classics like Percy Sledge’s “When A Man Loves a Woman” and Lou Rawls’ “Love is a Hurtin’ Thing.”

Back in the day, I knew the words to all of these songs–after all, I heard them a hundred times! Just listening to this music takes me back to my teenage years which seemed much more hopeful than the Present. Do you remember these songs? Any favorites here? GRADE: A

TRACK LIST:

1-1Four TopsI Can’t Help Myself Written-By – Brian HollandEdward Holland, Jr.Lamont Dozier
1-2Percy SledgeWhen A Man Loves A Woman Written-By – Andrew Wright (4)Calvin Lewis
1-3Jimmy RuffinWhat Becomes Of The Brokenhearted Written-By – James Dean (3)Paul RiserWilliam Weatherspoon
1-4The SupremesYou Can’t Hurry Love Written-By – Brian HollandEdward Holland, Jr.Lamont Dozier
1-5The MiraclesThe Tracks Of My Tears Written-By – Marvin TarplinWilliam “Smokey” Robinson*, Warren Moore
1-6Fontella BassRescue Me Written-By – Carl William Smith*, Raynard Miner
1-7The ImpressionsPeople Get Ready Written-By – Curtis Mayfield
1-8The SupremesWhere Did Our Love Go Written-By – Brian HollandEdward Holland, Jr.Lamont Dozier
1-9Martha Reeves & The VandellasDancing In The Street Written-By – Ivy Jo HunterMarvin GayeWilliam Stevenson
1-10The TemptationsMy Girl Written-By – Ronald WhiteWilliam “Smokey” Robinson*
1-11James BrownPapa’s Got A Grand New Bag Written-By – James Brown
1-12Otis ReddingI’ve Been Loving You Too Long (To Stop Now) Written-By – Jerry ButlerOtis Redding
1-13The SupremesBack In My Arms Again Written-By – Brian HollandEdward Holland, Jr.Lamont Dozier
1-14The TemptationsBeauty Is Only Skin Deep Written-By – Edward Holland, Jr.Norman Whitfield
1-15The Ramsey Lewis TrioThe “In” Crowd Written-By – Billy Page
2-1Eddie FloydKnock On Wood Written-By – Eddie FloydStephen Cropper*
2-2Mary WellsMy Guy Written-By – William “Smokey” Robinson*
2-3Lou RawlsLove Is A Hurtin’ Thing Written-By – Ben RaleighDave Linden*
2-4Four TopsReach Out, I’ll Be There Written-By – Brian HollandEdward Holland, Jr.Lamont Dozier
2-5Marvin GayeI’ll Be Doggone Written-By – Marvin TarplinWilliam “Smokey” Robinson*, Warren Moore
2-6Stevie WonderUptight (Everything’s Alright) Written-By – Henry CosbyStevie WonderSylvia Moy
2-7Wilson Pickett634-5789 (Soulsville, U.S.A.) Written-By – Eddie FloydStephen Cropper*
2-8Junior Walker & The All StarsShotgun Written-By – Autry DeWalt
2-9James BrownI Got You (I Feel Good) Written-By – James Brown
2-10Joe TexHold What You’ve Got Written-By – Joe Tex
2-11Sam & DaveHold On! I’m Comin’ Written-By – David PorterIsaac Hayes
2-12The TemptationsAin’t Too Proud To Beg Written-By – Edward Holland, Jr.Norman Whitfield
2-13Little MiltonWe’re Gonna Make It Written-By – Billy Davis (2)Carl William Smith*, Gene BargeRaynard Miner
2-14The Isley BrothersThis Old Heart Of Mine (Is Weak For You) Written-By – Brian HollandEdward Holland, Jr.Lamont Dozier
2-15Wilson PickettIn The Midnight Hour Written-By – Stephen Cropper*, Wilson Pickett

WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #232: H. P. LOVECRAFT’S THE SHADOW OVER INNSMOUTH Adaptation and Artwork By Gou Tanabe

I enjoyed Gou Tanabe’s graphic adaptations of Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness (you can read my review here) and THE CALL OF CTHULHU (you can read my review here) so I ordered Tanabe’s H. P. Lovecraft’s The Shadow Over Innsmouth (2023).

“The Shadow Over Innsmouth” is one of Lovecraft’s most iconic stories. It has all the dread and horror you could ask for in Cthulhu Mythos story. A narrator tells of a town in Massachusetts that embodies the word “creepy.” As the story unfolds, more and more details about the weird residents and the threat Innsmouth presents becomes apparent.

“The investigation ultimately concluded with the arrest and detention of many of the town’s residents in concentration camps as well as a submarine torpedoing nearby Devil Reef, which the press falsely reported as Prohibition liquor raids.” (Wikipedia) Lovecraft slowly ratchets up the suspense (and chilling aspects) as the secrets of Innsmouth are revealed.

Once again, Gou Tanabe’s wonderful artwork illuminates Lovecraft’s tale. GRADE: A

THE OLD GUARD 2 [Netflix]

I liked The Old Guard from 2020 (you can read my review here) but this sequel is dull and tedious. The opening scene features  Charlize Theron (playing Andy, the former Immortal) kicking off The Old Guard 2 by storming an Italian mansion where secretive arms dealers with impressive weapons wait for a rumble.

As a distraction, Andy dispatches Joe (Marwan Kenzari) and Nicky (Luca Marinelli)–the franchise’s adorable queer couple–to lure some of the minions into a wild car chase. James Copley (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Andy’s former adversary turned teammate, raids the mansion with her. Lots of shooting…and sword-play (very silly in my estimation)!

The plot of Immortal vs. Immortal didn’t grab me. The fight scenes interrupt an interminable, meandering series of dialogues about the Meaning of Life and the Purpose of Existence. Yawn.

Uma Thurman is wasted as an Immortal with a complicated plan. There’s a lot of blah, blah, blah punctuated by some routine action scenes. Don’t waste your time with this sequel. GRADE: D (for dud)

MOOD MACHINE: THE RISE OF SPOTIFY AND THE COSTS OF THE PERFECT PLAYLIST By Liz Pelly

Katie and Patrick laugh at me when I buy music CDs. They listen to 100% of their music on streaming services like Spotify, iTunes, and Pandora. Diane and I do listen to Sirius/XM Radio when were driving around but at home, we’re CD listeners.

Liz Pelly’s informative Mood Machine: The Rise of Spotify and the Costs of the Perfect Playlist (2025) tells the story of how a tiny, obscure Swedish music streaming service became one of the dominate music platforms in the world. Music streaming has become the norm for millions of listeners with playlists, personalized, and autoplayed services.

“In 2021, a couple of executives form the in-house Warner Music Group data science team explained, in a video, that the comp was then processing information about its roughly 4.5 billion streams per day, all of which power insights to ‘help inform where we’re going to invest in new Artis and content types…’ In other words, the major label was collecting an obscene amount of date every day, and then using it to presumably power algorithms that would tell it what artists to sign in the future.” (p. 90-91).

Of course Spotify, iTunes, and Sirius/XM Radio were doing the same thing. Even back in 2013 when Spotify made its big investment into producing in-house playlists, the effect was the ability of Spotify (and other streaming services) to change the way people listen. “It was not long just about providing all the music in the world, but about purporting to know what you anted to listen to, when you wanted to listen to it, to provide the perfect playlist at the perfect moment.” (p. 92)

The most shocking chapter in Mood Machine is “The First .0035 Is the Hardest.” .0035 of one cent is the royalty Spotify pays singers and groups to play their song. Needless to say, Spotify is paying a pittance for this music while making billions in profit. Studies show the median musician earned between $20,000 and $25,000. You could make more money working at McDonalds.

Liz Pelly, who has covered the music industry for over a decade, shows how a small group of music streaming services controls what millions of subscribers listen to and which singers and artists are shut out. This is a chilling book. Do you listen to music streaming services? GRADE: A

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Introduction — vii

The Bureau of Piracy — 1

“Saving” the music industry — 11

Selling lean-back listening — 24

The conquest of chill — 39

Ghost artists for hire — 57

The background music makers — 68

Streambait pop — 79

Listen to yourself — 92

Self-driving music — 106

Fandom as data — 117

Sounds for self-optimization — 125

Streaming as surveillance — 137

The first .0035 is the hardest — 149

An App for a boss — 151

Indie vibes — 172

This is… Payola? — 185

The lobbyists — 197

The new music labor movement — 204

Conclusion –217

A Note on Sources — 237

Acknowledgements — 239

Notes — 243

Index — 267

Frigidaire 35 Pint Dehumidifier with Wi-Fi (Energy Star) FHDD3534W1

Our 10 year old GE dehumidifier stopped working so we ordered a Frigidaire 35 Pint Dehumidifier with Wi-Fi (Energy Star) FHDD3534W1 from HOME DEPOT. A few days later, Diane received a text that said the dehumidifier arrived. We picked it up (38 pounds!) and brought it home.

I read the instructions, unpacked the unit, and plugged it in. A very quiet motor started and 24 hours later, I dumped 35 pints of water into my sump. Our large basement holds a lot of humidity so it takes two Frigidaire dehumidifiers to handle it. Last year we bought our first Frigidaire dehumidifier (you can read my review here) and it worked so well, we bought another one. Do you use a dehumidifier? Do you have a favorite? (GRADE: too soon to tell, but our other Frigidaire dehumidifier is a solid B+)

PHIL SPECTOR [HBO MAX]

I grew up listening to Phil Spector’s music. At one point in his career, he was the most influential record producer in the business. Spector produced The Beatles’ last album.

“Phil Spector is renowned for his groundbreaking “Wall of Sound” production technique and his work with numerous iconic artists. Some of his biggest hits include “Be My Baby” by The Ronettes, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin'” by The Righteous Brothers, and “He’s a Rebel” by The Crystals. He also produced hits like “Da Doo Ron Ron” by The Crystals, “Then He Kissed Me” by The Crystals, and “Unchained Melody” by The Righteous Brothers, among others.”

 But Phil Spector had a Dark Side. He had a hot temper and he loved guns. Those two flaws led to Phil Spector being charged with the shooting death of Lana Clarkson.

On the morning of February 3, 2003, American actress Lana Clarkson was found shot dead inside the Pyrenees Castle, the Alhambra, California, mansion of record producer Phil Spector. The movie, Phil Spector, written and directed by David Mamet, presents the lawyers who defended Spector in this case. It stars Al Pacino as Phil SpectorHelen Mirren as defense attorney Linda Kenney Baden, and Jeffrey Tambor as defense attorney Bruce Cutler.

The movie focuses primarily on the relationship between Spector and Linda Kenney Baden, his defense attorney in 2007 during the first of his two murder trials for the 2003 death of Lana Clarkson in his California mansion, and is billed as “an exploration of the client–attorney relationship” between Spector and Kenney Baden.

“The film is controversial for fictionalizing aspects of the case and for neglecting significant evidence that was presented by the real life prosecution, leading to accusations that the movie was created as an advocacy piece in Spector’s favor. Spector was not involved with the film, and disputed its historical accuracy. Although it is based on real people and an actual event, it opens with an unusually worded disclaimer that states: This is a work of fiction. It’s not ‘based on a true story.’ It is a drama inspired by actual persons on a trial, but it is neither an attempt to depict the actual persons, nor to comment upon the trial or its outcome.”

I’ll watch anything with Helen Mirren in it. Al Pacino creates a believable Phil Spector. GRADE: B

COOL ROCK [2-CD Set]

The relentless Sun cooked Western NY last week. Fortunately, we’ve backed off the 90 degree temps and are hovering around the 80s. Time for some refreshing Summer songs like the ones on Cool Rock.

Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes’ “Up Where We Belong” always pleases me. Same with the Thompson Twins’ “Hold Me Now.” I remember when Rosette’s “It Must Have Been Love” got heavy airplay on the radio (and on MTV).

Where would Summer music be without Ambrosia’ “Biggest Part of Me” and Toto’s “Africa”? They are mainstays in Hot Weather each year.

I’m a fan of Chris DeBurgh’s “Lady in Red” and Dan Hartman’s “I Can Dream About You.” Many of these compilation CDs include filler in the form of One-Hit Wonders or obscure songs. But Cool Rock consists of readily identifiable songs with a Summer vibe. How many of these songs do you remember? Any favorites here? GRADE: B+

TRACK LIST:

1-1Joe Cocker & Jennifer WarnesUp Where We Belong3:55
1-2Naked EyesAlways Something There To Remind Me3:41
1-3Club NouveauLean On Me3:58
1-4Thompson TwinsHold Me Now4:42
1-5Glass TigerDon’t Forget Me (When I’m Gone)4:05
1-6Teddy PendergrassLove T.K.O.5:00
1-7Kool And The Gang*–Joanna4:22
1-8Christopher CrossThink Of Laura3:22
1-9TiffanyI Think We’re Alone Now3:47
1-10Joey ScarburyBelieve It Or Not (Theme From Greatest American Hero)3:11
1-11RoxetteIt Must Have Been Love3:51
1-12Culture ClubTime (Clock Of The Heart)3:42
1-13The MotelsSuddenly Last Summer3:38
1-14The TubesShe’s A Beauty3:58
1-15Ashford & SimpsonSolid5:07
1-16Sergio Mendes*–Never Gonna Let You Go4:15
1-17Wilson PhillipsHold On4:24
1-18Ambrosia (2)Biggest Part Of Me4:09
2-1TotoAfrica5:01
2-2REO SpeedwagonCan’t Fight This Feeling4:10
2-3Chris DeBurgh*–Lady In Red4:16
2-4Tina TurnerPrivate Dancer4:00
2-5Cutting Crew(I Just) Died In Your Arms4:34
2-6John WaiteMissing You4:27
2-7Little River BandCool Change5:14
2-8Corey HartNever Surrender4:55
2-9BlondieCall Me3:32
2-10Spandau BalletTrue5:35
2-11Marty BalinAtlanta Lady (Something About You)3:27
2-12Mr. MisterBroken Wings4:45
2-13VangelisChariots Of Fire3:29
2-14Dan HartmanI Can Dream About You4:09
2-15Taylor DayneLove Will Lead You Back4:37
2-16James Ingram & Patti AustinBaby, Come To Me3:35
2-17Al GreenLet’s Stay Together3:18

WEDNESDAY’S SHORT STORIES #231: ALFRED HITCHCOCK’S DARING DETECTIVES Edited by Robert Arthur

I’ve been reading “Alfred Hitchcock” mystery anthologies for decades (check out the list below). Alfred Hitchcock’s Daring Detectives (1969) includes an excellent blend of stories. I particularly enjoyed Stuart Palmer’s “Green Ice,” a Hildegarde Withers gem. The police struggle to find the thief of a value green diamond. Miss Withers shows them the way to solve the crime.

Also fun is Erle Stanley Gardner’s “Adventures of the Irate Witness” where Perry Mason fakes out the Prosecution. And, I’m a fan of August Derleth’s Solar Pons series. “Adventures of the Grice-Paterson Curse” involves a series of mysterious deaths. Solar Pons sees the pattern that no one else does.

Who doesn’t like a good spy story? Michael Gilbert’s “The Headmaster” involves the murder of a British agent and it’s up to Calder and Behrens to even the score. I’ve read a lot of Ellery Queen but somehow missed “The Adventure of the Seven Black Cats.” An infirm woman fears someone is trying to murder her so she buys a series of black cats–even though she hates cats. Ellery Queen becomes intrigued and investigates.

Alfred Hitchcock’s Daring Detectives is one of the best mystery anthologies I’ve read lately. How many Alfred Hitchcock anthologies have you read? GRADE: A-

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

  • “The Day the Children Vanished”: by High Pentecost — 3
  • “Through a Dead Man’s Eye”: by Cornell Woolrich — 30
  • “The Disappearance of Mr. Davenheim”: by Agatha Christie — 57
  • “Green Ice”: by Stuart Palmer — 71
  • “The Grave Grass Quivers”: by MacKinlay Kantor — 88
  • “The Case of the Irate Witness”: by Erle Stanley Gardner — 104
  • “Adventures of the Grice-Paterson Curse”: by August Derleth — 120
  • “The Headmaster”: by Michael Gilbert — 140
  • “The Adventure of the Seven Black Cats”: by Ellery Queen — 153
  • “The Wicked Cousin”: by Leslie Charteris — 174
  • “The Footprint in the Sky”: by John Dickson Carr — 193

Hitchcock fiction anthologies chronology

A chronological list of Hitchcock fiction anthologies.

In general, only the first new edition of each American and British title is listed. The country, format (paperback or hardback/hardcover) and date of publication is shown in parentheses.

1940s

1950s

1960s

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

https://the.hitchcock.zone/wiki/Hitchcock_fiction_anthologies_chronology