Dorothy B. Hughes Books

'The new crime and espionage series from Penguin Classics makes for a mouth-watering prospect' Daily Telegraph Los Angeles, the late 1940's. A serial killer stalks the foggy streets at night ... Dix Steele, a former fighter pilot, moved to L.A. after the war, looking for a new life. But the city is gripped by fear of a murderer in its midst. Dix, however, is not scared. And when he bumps into his old friend Brub, now a detective on the trail of the culprit, he is excited to follow the police's progress. A dark and terrible truth is revealed, in a noir novel like no other.

An intriguing biography of an author who knew worldwide popularity thanks to the success of his Perry Mason stories, which, of course, became one of the best-known detective series on TV in the USA and in Great Britain. Erle Stanley Gardner was an unusual man who wrote 131 works of fiction, including 82 full-length Perry Masons.

It was Fiesta time in Santa Fe. Death was dancing on every street...Carnival time--but Sailor wasn't there to celebrate. He had to settle a score. Sailor had no nerves; it was pay off or drop dead. After he'd taken care of the Sen, he'd get out quick and live the easy live across the border in Mexico. A sexy silver blonde, a hard-boiled detective from Chicago homicide, a weasel-faced Senator, a black-eyed Indian child beauty, and Pancho, who spun the merry--round, all figure in this brilliant mystery, charged with sudden violence and an unexpected outcome.

"Death was waiting at the end of his Luger. To avenge a friend and murder a ghost. Kit came back to New York to track down his buddy's killer. It had to be murder: Louie wasn't the suicidal type. One person stood in the way of revenge--The Wobblefoot. He was watching. So one false step meant curtains. But Kit was willing to take any risks for a friend--even murder in cold blood."-- From back cover

Set against the backdrop of Hollywood, the story follows producer Vivien Spender, who obsessively seeks the perfect actress for his film adaptation of The Magic Mountain. His pattern of discarding starlets leads to their downfall, but Kitten Agnew, the latest candidate, is bound by her contract and senses danger during a train ride with Spender. As tension mounts, the narrative builds towards a gripping conclusion. This reprinted thriller showcases Dorothy B. Hughes's sharp prose and psychological suspense, reflecting the darker side of the film industry while offering classic mystery appeal.

Espionage, adventure and a hard-boiled heroine not to be trifled with - this classic noir will have you gripped from start to finishJulie Guilles is in trouble. Whispers of the Blackbirder reach her - a sinister figure who, for the right price, can promise safe passage across the border to New Mexico.