Saturday, August 17, 2013

PRO-FILE: DAVE ZELTSERMAN

Ed Gorman's blog: PRO-FILE: DAVE ZELTSERMAN
Max Allan Collins (along with Matthew V. Clemens, his able collaborator) ventures into serial killer territory with What Doesn't Kill Her.  It's set in Cleveland, which gives Collins a chance to make a reference to the Cleveland Torso Murderer, about whom Collins wrote in one of his Eliot Ness novels. But this isn't a torso murderer at work.  It's a very clever killer who's managed to avoid detection for many years.  

Collins takes a different approach to the hunt for the killer.  A young woman who survived his attack on her family because he wanted her to tell his story hasn't spoken for many years and has been institutionalized.  When she sees a story of murders similar to those of her family, she knows that the killer is still at work, and she's determined to find him.  She breaks her silence and starts to work, with the help of the members of a Victims of Violent Crimes support group.  At the same time, a young cop who knew her in high school is also investigating the crime.  He believes he has evidence that a serial killer is at work, though it's not easy to convince his superiors that the evidence is valid.

This is a fast-moving story with attractive lead characters that you'll be rooting for all the way.  The members of the support group are also a very likable crew, bound together by a common goal and their separate violent pasts.  All this, and Collins has a real shocker in store for you at the end.  Check it out.

Gator Update (Acupuncture Edition)

Video: Albino alligator in Brazil receives acupuncture treatment

Song of the Day

▶ Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper 1976 [Studio Version]cowbell link in description - YouTube:

Quicksand!

Busted: These myths about life are all nonsense 

Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.

Historic mugshots reveal the cunning faces of England�s Nineteenth Century bad girls

The wanted Victorian women: Historic mugshots reveal the cunning faces of England�s Nineteenth Century bad girls 

Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.

Once Again Texas Leads the Way

khou.com Houston: French Fry Heaven serves fries, a whole menu of fries, nothing but fries.

Today's Vintage Ad


This Is Not from The Onion

Court OKs Barring High IQs for Cops

Donald Wollheim and the Ace Double Novel

Donald Wollheim and the Ace Double Novel

PaperBack



Don Tracy, Fun & Deadly Games, Pocket Books, 1968

17 Problems Only Book Lovers Will Understand

17 Problems Only Book Lovers Will Understand

Once Again Texas Leads the Way

CouchBunker: Charles Alan invents world's first bulletproof sofa with 30-rifle vault underneath couch cushions

Hat tip to Jeff Meyerson.

10 Fantasy Authors Who Fight The Patriarchy, Gender-Stereotypes, And Possibly Dragons

10 Fantasy Authors Who Fight The Patriarchy, Gender-Stereotypes, And Possibly Dragons

50 Science Fiction/Fantasy Films That Everyone Should See

50 Science Fiction/Fantasy Films That Everyone Should See

17 Heart-Stopping Foods At The Iowa State Fair

17 Heart-Stopping Foods At The Iowa State Fair

Cartoon of the Day

link

Petroglyph Update

Ancient rock etchings found in Nevada could be oldest in North America 

California Conquest

1952 CALIFORNIA CONQUEST TRAILER CORNEL WILDE - YouTube: