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.

MURDER MOST DELICIOUS

 

MURDER MOST DELICIOUS

By Danielle Postel-Vinay

Harper Perennial

290 pgs

 

New York based Olivia Beech is suffering the worst days of her young life. Once one of the most admired Master Sommeliers (wine-taster) in the world, a bout of Covid took  away her sense of taste and left her floundering. When a famous Parisian Chef invites her to come and possibly work for in his bistro. She hops the next flight to the City of Love only to have that chef drop dead in front of her within minutes of their meeting; a victim of poisoning. Talk about bad luck. 

Which is where this fantastical cozy does an abrupt detour in the guise of a florist named Chantal. The nosy and flamboyant Chantal owns a shop a few blocks from the bistro. Having arrived in time to see the chef collapse, Chantal immediately spirits Olivia away from the police. She delivers her to the home of a former French detective named Augusta Dupin, supposedly a direct descendant of the famous C. Auguste Dupin immortalized in the stories of Edgar Alan Poe. Both Augusta and Chantal are members of the Gros-Caillous Neighborhood Watch, a quaint section of the city located in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower. It is an informal club made up of several shop owners who live and work within a small quarter of the famous metropolis. 

And therein lies the charm of Postel-Vinay’s tale. Like most successful mysteries, the real prize here is not so much the crime as the eccentric, unique and loveable characters invented to solve it. There are a half-dozen, all delightful, loyal to one another and all  dedicated to prove a helpless American girl innocent and capture the real killer. It’s a task complicated by the fact that their one experienced investigator has suffered from agoraphobia and has been unable to step out of her house in five years. Augusta depends on the others to gather her clues. 

“Murder Most Delicious,” is a literary entree of goodness much like the many French dishes and treats described throughout the novel. Enough that we’re disappointed Ms Postel-Vinay didn’t offer up an appendix of recipes. Still, her murder dish is most satisfying with the right amounts of clues, mis-directions and colorful suspects. All in all, she delivers a truly delightful read. Here’s hoping we haven’t seen the last of the Gros-Caillous Neighborhood Watch.