Reception: Classic

The Continental Op: complete Classic of the greatest characters in storied history of detective fiction

Related Posts
Harry’s World

PI Harry Kenmare is a prehistoric private detective in an unfriendly and infinitely unjust modern world. His life revolves around drinking, fine food, smoking, and fast women, preferably the ones he has to pay for, in cash. So what better Read more

Carnacki the Ghost Finder, The Voice in the Night, and Other Horrors: The Best Weird Fiction and Ghost Stories of William Hope Hodgson

ne of the leading names in classic weird fiction, William Hope Hodgson remains an influential and powerful storyteller, remembered chiefly for his nautical horror stories and for his occult detective, Carnacki the Ghost-finder. Hodgson’s career – cut off prematurely in Read more

The Continental Op: complete Classic of the greatest characters in storied history of detective fiction
Date:
Period:
Type:
Genre:
tropes: ,
Lenght:
Author:
Reception:

Before Sam Spade, before Philip Marlowe, before Mike Hammer, before Lew Archer, and before nearly every hard-boiled detective in mystery fiction, there was the Continental Op.

Who was he? No one knows, since Dashiell Hammett never gives his name. Through these two dozen stories we see the Op solve crimes, usually murder, while being shot at, assaulted, and dishing out punishment better than he receives it.

This collection includes the very first Continental Op story, “Arson Plus”.

kindle link below, for a paperback even more complete version you can find one here

Return of the Thin Man

Return of the Thin Man
Dates: ,
Type:
Genre:
trope:
Lenght:
Author:
Narrator:
Reception:

“This first unabridged appearance of two Nick and Nora Charles ‘novellas’ by Hammett should be an occasion for delight, and it is.” —The Wall Street Journal

Dashiell Hammett was a crime writer who elevated the genre to true literature, and The Thin Man was Hammett’s last—and most successful—novel. Following the enormous success of The Thin Man movie in 1934, Hammett was commissioned to write stories for additional films. He wrote two full-length novellas, for the films that became After the Thin Man and Another Thin Man. Bringing back his classic characters, retired private investigator Nick Charles and his former debutante wife Nora, who return home to find Nora’s family gardener murdered, pulling the couple back into another deadly game of cat and mouse. Hammett has written two fully satisfying Thin Man stories, with classic, barbed Hammett dialogue and fully developed characters.

Written in the style of a screenplay treatment, The Return of the Thin Man is a hugely entertaining read that brings back two classic characters from one of the greatest mystery writers who ever lived. This book is destined to become essential reading for Hammett’s millions of fans and a new generation of mystery readers the world over.

Red Harvest (The Continental Op)

Red Harvest (The Continental Op)
Date:
MainCategory:
Period:
Type:
Genres: ,
tropes: , , ,
Lenght:
Seriesize:
Author:
Narrator:
Reception:

The steadfast and sturdy Continental Op has been summoned to the town of Personville—known as Poisonville—a dusty mining community splintered by competing factions of gangsters and petty criminals.

The Op has been hired by Donald Willsson, publisher of the local newspaper, who gave little indication about the reason for the visit. No sooner does the Op arrive, than the body count begins to climb . . . starting with his client. With this last honest citizen of Poisonville murdered, the Op decides to stay on and force a reckoning—even if that means taking on an entire town.

Red Harvest is more than a superb crime novel: it is a classic exploration of corruption and violence in the American grain.

The Thin Man

The Thin Man
Date:
MainCategory:
Period:
Type:
Genres: ,
tropes: , ,
Lenght:
Author:
Narrator:
Reception:

Nick Charles seems to find trouble wherever he goes. He thinks his sleuthing days are behind him when Julia Wolf, a former acquaintance, turns up dead. Nick—thanks to some persuasion from his enchanting wife, Nora—finds himself falling back into old habits and making a few polite inquiries.

The prime suspect, Julia’s lover and boss Clyde Miller Wynant, has vanished without a trace. Everyone is after him, but Nick is not so sure Wynant is the culprit. And when another dubious figure bursts into their bedroom, waving a loaded handgun, it seems Nick and Nora’s adventure is only just beginning.

Nick and Nora Charles are among Dashiell Hammett’s most alluring creations: a rich, glamourous couple who solve homicides in between wisecracks and martinis. At once knowing and unabashedly romantic, The Thin Man is a murder mystery that doubles as a sophisticated comedy of manners.

The History of the Runestaff (Dorian Hawkmoon)

The History of the Runestaff (Dorian Hawkmoon)
Date:
MainCategory:
Type:
Genre:
Lenght:
Seriesize:
Author:
Receptions: ,

Charting the adventures of Dorian Hawkmoon, a version of the Eternal Champion, it takes place in a far-future version of Europe in which the insane rulers of the Dark Empire of Granbretan (the name given to what was once Great Britain) are engaged in conquering the continent.

Written between 1967 and 1969, it is considered a classic of the genre, and has proven highly influential in shaping subsequent authors’ works.

 

The Dragonbone Chair (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn)

The Dragonbone Chair (Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn Book 1)
Date:
MainCategory:
Type:
Genre:
Lenght:
Seriesize:
Author:
Narrator:
Receptions: ,
Protagonist:

From master storyteller and New York Times-bestseller Tad Williams comes the first book in the landmark epic fantasy saga of Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn.

With The Dragonbone Chair, Tad Williams introduced readers to the incredible fantasy world of Osten Ard. His beloved, internationally bestselling series Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn inspired a generation of modern fantasy writers, including George R.R. Martin, Patrick Rothfuss, and Christopher Paolini, and defined Tad Williams as one of the most important fantasy writers of our time.

This edition features a brand-new introduction from Tad Williams’ editor as well as the original introduction from Williams himself!

“One of my favorite fantasy series.” —George R. R. Martin
“Groundbreaking.” —Patrick Rothfuss
“One of the great fantasy epics of all time.” —Christopher Paolini

BOOK ONE: THE DRAGONBONE CHAIR

A war fueled by the powers of dark sorcery is about to engulf the peaceful land of Osten Ard—for Prester John, the High King, lies dying. And with his death, the Storm King, the undead ruler of the elf-like Sithi, seizes the chance to regain his lost realm through a pact with the newly ascended king. Knowing the consequences of this bargain, the king’s younger brother joins with a small, scattered group of scholars, the League of the Scroll, to confront the true danger threatening Osten Ard.

Simon, a kitchen boy from the royal castle unknowingly apprenticed to a member of this League, will be sent on a quest that offers the only hope of salvation, a deadly riddle concerning long-lost swords of power. Compelled by fate and perilous magics, he must leave the only home he’s ever known and face enemies more terrifying than Osten Ard has ever seen, even as the land itself begins to die.

After the landmark Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn trilogy, the epic saga of Osten Ard continues with The Heart of What Was Lost. Then don’t miss the sequel trilogy, The Last King of Osten Ard, beginning with The Witchwood Crown!

also a short story, The Burning Man, that takes place a few hundred years before Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn, you can find it here

and a short novel : Brothers of the Wind set a thousand years before the events of Williams’s The Dragonbone Chair, the tale of Ineluki’s tragic boast and what it brings is told by Pamon Kes, Hakatri’s faithful servant. Kes is not one of the Sithi but a member of the enslaved Changeling race

The Star Kings [The Two Thousand Centuries] Enhanced, Improved, Pulp Edition – original illustrations

The Star Kings [The Two Thousand Centuries] Enhanced, Improved, Pulp Edition - original illustrations
Date:
MainCategory:
Type:
Genre:
Lenght:
Author:
Reception:

romance and Thrilling Space Opera!

“… roistering adventure, two beautiful heroines, one of the most likable villains you could ask for … color and imagery … a final world-smashing slug-fest …good fun.” Analog/Astounding.

She was Lianna, ruler of the Kingdom of Fomalhaut. He was Zarth Arn, prince of the Mid-Galactic Empire, scion of the ruling house of Star Kings. Only these two stood between peace and a war of galactic conquest. And one of them was an impostor.
“Epic … lyrical … conceived on the grand scale.” New York Herald Tribune.
The Star Kings is the supreme work by the master of romantic space opera, Edmond Hamilton. John Gordon, a war vet restless in the humdrum of an office job, is offered a chance for adventure when he is contacted via dreams by Zarth Arn, a scientist-prince living two hundred thousand years in the future, and asked to exchange bodies for a week.

Zarth will research the present, while Gordon experiences the galaxy-spanning future of the star-kingdoms–200,000 years from now. There is only one stipulation: Gordon must give his word that under no circumstances will he reveal his true identity to anyone of Zarth’s time.

Moments later, John Gordon is hurtled through time to the Earth of two thousand centuries hence–into Zarth Arn’s laboratory and body. But, before the week is over, Gordon is summoned to the throne world of Throon by Zarth Arn’s father, ruler of the Mid-Galactic Kingdom. Unable to reveal his identity without breaking his pledge to Zarth Arn, Gordon is forced to play the role of the young star prince, and finda himself i caught in a strange triangle between two women: the intelligent, dynamic Lianna, ruler of the Star-Kingdom of Fomalhaut, whom Zarth’s father has ordered him to wed (and with whom Gordon swiftly falls in love), and warm, tender Murn (who Zarth Arn loves). G

alactic civilization is facing it’s greatest crisis, a war of conquest by Shorr Kan, tyrant of the League of Dark Worlds, and before John Gordon can even orient himself to this far future universe, Zarth Arn’s father is assassinated, with Zarth himself framed for the killing. Saved by Lianna, the pair flee on a galaxy spanning quest for the secret of the Disruptor, the one weapon that can defeat the Dark Worlds an preserve the freedom of the stars. And if they succeed, Gordon knows he must return to his own time, losing Lianna, the woman he loves, forever–or deliberately marooning Zarth Arn 200,000 years in the past, separating him from Murn, the woman he loves, forever.

Part of Edmond Hamlton’s breathtaking future history series, “The Two Thousand Centuries.” (New, improved edition with spelling errors corrected, a long introduction about the author, space opera, and the book; plus all the original magazine illustrations.) Cover design: J.L. “Frankie” Hill.

The Complete Interstellar Patrol (Annotated): A pulp space opera omnibus

The Complete Interstellar Patrol (Annotated): A pulp space opera omnibus
Date:
MainCategory:
Type:
Genre:
trope:
Lenghts: ,
Seriesize:
Author:
Reception:

Edmond Hamilton is considered as one of the creator of space opera subgenre of science fiction with E.E. “Doc” Smith,

In 1928, Edmond Hamilton published Crashing Suns in Weird Tales magazine, at approximately the same time that E.E. Smith’s Skylark of Space was published in Amazing Stories, giving both men the distinction of creating the genre of space opera. Hamilton, however, was the first to create a series, writing further stories in his Interstellar Patrol Series in 1929 and 1930, then writing a final one in 1934.

Here in one volume is every Interstellar Patrol story Hamilton published, including the novel Outside the Universe. What the stories lack in characterization and scientific plausibility, they more than make up for in enthusiasm, spectacle, and sheer breakneck pacing.

  • This iktaPOP Media omnibus includes new introductions that give the stories genre and historical context.

Lensman serie by Edward Elmer Smith

Lensman serie by Edward Elmer Smith
Date:
MainCategory:
Type:
Genre:
Lenght:
Seriesize:
Author:
Narrator:
Reception:

E.E. “Doc” Smith is considered as one of the creator of space opera subgenre of science fiction with Edmond Hamilton,

The lensman serie was a runner-up for the 1966 Hugo award for Best All-Time Series, losing to the Foundation series by Isaac Asimov

Triplanetary: Science fiction novel and space opera by American writer by E. E. Smith: Embark on a thrilling space odyssey with Triplanetary, a science fiction novel and space opera by E. E. Smith. Set in a vast and epic universe, this captivating story follows the adventures of daring heroes, interstellar battles, and the struggle for control of the galaxy. Prepare to be transported to a world of high-stakes action and cosmic wonders.

Key Aspects of the Book Triplanetary:
Expansive Universe: Triplanetary introduces readers to a vast universe filled with intricate planetary systems, advanced civilizations, and cosmic phenomena. E. E. Smith’s world-building creates a rich tapestry of diverse worlds and cosmic forces that captivate the imagination.
High-Stakes Adventure: The novel is a thrilling space opera, packed with pulse-pounding action, interstellar battles, and heroic quests. It follows the journeys of courageous protagonists as they face daunting challenges, grapple with moral dilemmas, and strive to protect their worlds from the forces of evil.
Epic Cosmic Conflict: Triplanetary explores the struggle for power and control in a grand cosmic conflict. It delves into the clash between opposing factions, each with their own agendas and ambitions, showcasing the epic scale of the narrative and the far-reaching consequences of their actions.

The sixth is not linked with the rest on amazon and can be found here. There is also a sidestory : The Vortex Blaster 

Immerse yourself in the gripping world of science fiction and space opera with E.E. Smith’s monumental work, “Triplanetary.” This novel is not just a space adventure; it’s a journey into the vast cosmos, where interstellar sagas unfold, and the fate of worlds hangs in the balance.

The Skylark of Space

The Skylark of Space
Date:
MainCategory:
Type:
Genre:
Lenght:
Seriesize:
Author:
Narrator:
Reception:

The Skylark of Space is considered to be one of the earliest novels of interstellar travel and the first example of space opera. Originally serialized in 1928 in the magazine Amazing Stories

Brilliant government scientist Richard Seaton discovers a remarkable faster-than-light fuel that will power his interstellar spaceship, The Skylark.
His ruthless rival, Marc DuQuesne, and the sinister World Steel Corporation will do anything to get their hands on the fuel.

When they kidnap Seaton’s fiancee and friends, they unleash a furious pursuit and ignite a burning desire for revenge that will propel The Skylark across the galaxy and back.