THE MAGPIE'S SHADOW

 

THE MAGPIE’S SHADOW

A George “Magpie” Collins Mystery

By Len Driscoll

Blowing Glass Media

157 pgs

 

In this, his third Magpie Collins mystery, writer Len Driscoll offers up the thief-turned-private eye his most complex and deadly case. Society dame, Mrs. Evelyn Hartwell comes to Collins in the hopes he can retrieve her stolen jewels. They were taken from the bedroom safe during a charity gala she and her husband were hosting at their stately downtown mansion. Aside from being priceless items, Mrs. Hartwell informs Collins that the pieces taken belonged to her mother and grandmother and have sentimental value that can’t be measured in dollar bills.

Collins takes the case and soon learns that among the guests at the soiree was young Charles Weatheby, the son of Judge Weatherby; a man who has no love for the Hartwells due to a past business transaction gone sour. No sooner is the Sydney shamus investigating the household staff and other attendees, then Charles supposedly commits suicide via an overdue of drugs. His death seems too convenient at a time when Collins was beginning to uncover clues that pointed to serious mob involvement. Collins instincts tell him the lad was murdered to keep him quiet.  

In “The Magpie’s Shadow,” Driscoll weaves a taut thriller that pulls the reader along with the hero until it becomes all too apparent that the simple theft was merely the first link to a citywide opium smuggling ring and municipal corruption. It is a dandy of a mystery and page turner. As with his previous two Collins books, Driscoll continues to showcase a pre-World War II Australia and that is a joy to discover. Don’t miss this one.

WILD, WILD, WESTERNS

 

WILD, WILD, WESTERNS

The Art of Ron Lesser Vol 3

Edited by Robert Deis, Bill Cunningham & Tim Hewitt

Subtropic Productions – Pulp 2.0

152 pgs

 

Writing a review for an art book is daunting to say the least. With a traditional story novel, one can describe the plot, characters etc. etc. etc. Whereas with an art book, we humble reviewers can only use words to tell you about amazing, stunning, breathtaking visuals that are the product of one man’s talent. Yeah, it’s a challenge, but allow us to rant just a wee little bit and hopefully we will get our point across. 

Ron Lesser was born in 1941 and most of his life, this Manhattan native, was an illustrator and painter that specialized in paperback covers, comic books, magazines and film posters. From the mid 70s to the early 90s, Lesser was among the premier illustrators contributing painted book covers for publishers like Double Day, Dell, Avon, Bantam, Ace, Fawcett, Pyramid and dozens of others. Today most of his original paintings are done for art galleries. 

Men’s Magazines historian Bob Deis and design guru, Bill Cunningham, have begun producing beautiful volumes of Lesser’s work showcasing hundreds of his published works. In this third volume, dedicated to Lesser’s western art, they are joined by Tim Hewitt, another fan and authority on the artist’s career. 

What they have assembled is over a hundred pages of some of the most beautiful and memorable paperback covers and posters ever illustrated depicting the western genre. From outlaws, to gunfighters, cavalry men to Indian warriors, they are all here within these pages. Captured in a unique style that wondrously manages to capture both the authentic realism of the era and its idealized mythic romance. Going from page to page, we couldn’t help but marvel at Lesser’s skills throughout. Still, the editors saved the best for last in featuring his most recent work; paintings of Indians riders against rugged sun-drenched landscapes. 

“Wild, Wild, Westerns,” is a rare glimpse into the world of American illustration history by one of its greatest craftsmen.