PimPage: An Occasional Feature in Which I Call Interesting Books to Your Attention

I read James Reasoner's Under Outlaw Flags when it was published, and it remains a favorite of mine (not to mention a great idea for a movie). I read an advance copy of Julius Katz and Archie, and since I've been a fan of the short stories, I figured the novel would be equally entertaining. It certainly was. You can't go wrong with either of these, both of which are now available as e-books. Highly recommended.

The Only Thing We Have to Fear . . . .

io9: "A briefcase-shaped press kit touting Acura's product placement in the film Thor caused a bomb scare and evacuation at a bus station in downtown Ann Arbor, Mich., after a writer for buff book Automobile tossed it in a dumpster."

PimPage: An Occasional Feature in Which I Call Interesting Books to Your Attention

I can't resist a good pirate tale, and Ed Gorman and Tom Piccirilli have written a dilly here. It's got sword fights, a pirate named Crimson (surely they're having a little fun with us Burt Lancaster fans here, since Crimson's a woman, who, in my opinion, looks like Geena Davis with red hair and not at all like Burt), storms, scurvy dogs, and . . . . well, let's put it this way: This might start off like a typical pirate tale, but it sure doesn't wind up that way. Originally published by Subterranean, it's now available as an e-book. Check it out here.

Sixkill -- Robert B. Parker

As I've mentioned many times, I read the first Spenser novel when it appeared, and I haven't missed one since. Sixkill is #39 in the series, and the final one written by Robert B. Parker.

The title is taken from the name of a Cree Indian, bodyguard to a movie and TV star named Jumbo, who may or may not have killed a young woman (think Fatty Arbuckle). Sixkill is fired when Spenser beats him in a short fistfight and shows up at Spenser's office. He's in sad shape, and it's up to Spenser to show him how to become the man he was meant to be. Hawk is conveniently out of town, so Spenser takes Sixkill to the gym and gets to work. I have a feeling you know how this part of the story turns out.

Meanwhile, Spenser continues to work on the case of the young woman's death in spite of threats from some heavy-duty tough guys. I have a feeling you know how that part of the book turns out, too.

All the elements are familiar. Spenser's actions are predictable. So what? It's like the Nero Wolfe series. If Wolfe didn't count the bottle caps or go to the plant room or wear his yellow 'jammies, I'd be disappointed. Parker makes the familiar fun. The prose is dandy, and the dialogue is as much fun as ever.

There's some talk about death in the book, and the remarks become especially evocative now that Parker's gone. Parker and Spenser had a great run. I'm really going to miss them.

No Comment Department

After June 1, it'll be possible to hire a prostitute using an iPhone app.

Hat tip to Mel Odom.

Today's Vintage Ad

50 Classic Plays Every Student Should Read

50 Classic Plays Every Student Should Read

Once Again, Texas Leads the Way

KHOU.com: Travel + Leisure Magazine has listed Houston as the No. 1 city in the country for hamburgers.

PaperBack

Arthur C. Clarke, Childhood's End, Ballantine, 1953

Once Again, Texas Leads the Way

KPTV Portland: "A nude statue on display in a yard is causing quite a stir in one Texas neighborhood.

The statue of David was put up by homeowners who recently moved into the neighborhood. No one has asked them to remove it -- yet -- though some families believe the statue is offensive and needs to go.

'It's there. It's right there,' neighbor Alina Hatcher said of the statue's 'assets.' 'You don't have to look for it. You don't have to stare hard. It's right there.'"

Hat tip to Art Scott.

New Story at BEAT to a PULP

BEAT to a PULP :: Nobody's Listening :: Linda Schenck

The Decline of Western Civilization Continues Apace

Consumers take their lives into the cloud - Ericsson: "35 percent of US Android and iPhone users interact with such non-voice apps as Facebook on their smartphones before even getting out of bed"

The 20 Best Works of Travel Literature

The 20 Best Works of Travel Literature

Today's Western Movie Poster

It's a Living

Senior citizens arrested for pushing heroin | CharlotteObserver.com & The Charlotte Observer Newspaper: "There is a new trend in drug dealing in Brunswick County where silver-haired women are pushing heroin."

Chron.com: Houston has earned the distinction of being the nation’s leader in a dubious category. The Bayou City leads the United States in dog attacks on Postal Service letter carriers.

Criminal Genius of the Day

The News Tribune: "A Clarkston man who has been indicted by a federal grand jury wrote about robbing a Lewiston bank and ordered bomb-making materials under the name of Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh."

Crime of the Week

Man reports mysteriously switched kitchen faucet to Flint police | MLive.com: "A man told police on Monday that someone mysteriously switched the faucet of his kitchen sink, according to a larceny report filed with Flint police.

The man told police he went into his kitchen at 9 p.m. Sunday and noticed a different faucet installed at the home on Colonial Drive near Fleming and West Carpenter Roads."

PSA

Yourhome.ca: "Woohoo! Dig those bare buttocks and boobs. May 14 is, believe it or not, World Naked Gardening Day"

At Seepy Benton's house, every day is World Naked Gardening Day.

Abbott & Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde