the kubla khan caper

Rounding out our random sampling of the Shell Scott series, via this stack of paperbacks, is The Kubla Khan Caper by Richard S. Prather.

Cover by Ron Lesser

Not to worry, I've got another pile of random pulp fiction set aside to be scanned (and, of course, photographed next to GG Allin Doll) for next month.

(PS: As always, larger versions, as well as covers of books that have found their way on to the blog previously, can be seen here.)

the trojan hearse

Next up, and the next to last Shell Scott spine seen in this pile of pulp fiction, is The Trojan Hearse by Richard S. Prather.

Cover by Barye Phillips

(PS: This chick's outfit is fierce!)

(PPS: As always, larger versions, as well as covers of books that have found their way on to the blog previously, can be seen here.)

the cockeyed corpse

Continuing our somewhat random stroll through the Shell Scott series, via this pile of pulp fiction, tonight's entry is The Cockeyed Corpse by Richard S. Prather.

Cover by Barye Phillips

PS: Interested parties can see a saucy McGinnis cover here, and even saucier cover for a Dutch edition by Henri Sonda here.

(PPS: And as always, larger versions, as well as covers of books that have found their way on to the blog previously, can be seen here.)

dead heat

Next up in our survey of this stack of Shell Scott paperbacks is Dead Heat by Richard S. Prather.

Cover by Ron Lesser

On an unrelated topic, I like her tankini. (And the idea of dressing like a woman I saw on the cover of a pulp novel.) I will be keeping my eye out for a similar version in advance of our Summer vacation.

(PS: As always, larger versions, as well as covers of books that have found their way on to the blog previously, can be seen here.)

kill the clown

Continuing our survey of this stack of thrifted paperbacks, tonight's entry is Kill The Clown by Richard S. Prather; AKA the first Shell Scott book I read.

Cover by Mitchell Hooks

That was a few years ago so the details are a bit fuzzy but mostly I remember thinking it would have made a good b-movie. (I'm a sucker for a good masquerade ball.)

(PS: As always, larger versions, as well as covers of books that have found their way on to the blog previously, can be seen here.)

take a murder, darling

As of tonight's entry, Take A Murder, Darling, we've reached the halfway point of this pile of pulp fiction featuring Richard S. Prather's most famous character, Shell Scott.

Cover by Barye Phillips

(Which essentially has nothing to do with the book or the cover, I just thought I'd point it out.)

(PS: As always, larger versions, as well as covers of books that have found their way on to the blog previously, can be seen here.)

three's a shroud

Tonight's entry, the fifth in our stroll through this stack of Richard S. Prather paperbacks, is Three's A Shroud. Not a novel per se, but a collection featuring three Shell Scott short stories: Blood Ballot, Dead Giveaway & Hot Rock Rumble.

Cover painting by Roy Lance

(PS: As you may have noticed, this is the first of the bunch thus far not featuring art by Barye Phillips. Not surprisingly, I was unable to turn up any information on this artist either.)

(PPS: As always, larger versions, as well as covers of books that have found their way on to the blog previously, can be seen here.)

pattern for panic

Continuing our jump around Richard S. Prather's Shell Scott series, via this stack of thrifted paperbacks, tonight's entry is Pattern For Panic.

Cover by Barye Phillips

I'm not sure if the pattern for panic referenced in the title is connected to the Mexican blanket depicted on the cover in any way but, personally, I find this a pattern for relaxation. Mainly since I thrifted an almost exact replica a few years ago that we keep in our car for impromptu picnics and trips to the beach.

(PS: As always, larger versions, as well as covers of books that have found their way on to the blog previously, can be seen here.)

darling, it's death

Tonight we continue our survey of this stack of pulp fiction, jumping ahead to the sixth entry in the Richard S. Prather / Shell Scott series (at least according to the Wikipedia page linked above), Darling, It's Death.

Cover by Barye Phillips

Sadly, I have no more information to share about the cover artist than I did in our last entry but interested parties can check out an alternate Barye cover here; an alternate alternate Barye cover here; a Robert McGinnis cover here; and, while we're at it, a kitschy foreign edition here.

(And as always, larger versions, as well as covers of books that have found their way on to the blog previously, can be seen in the Pulp Fiction Project set in my Flickr photostream, here.)

bodies in bedlam

Tonight's entry, the second in our stroll through this stack of Richard S. Prather paperbacks, is Bodies In Bedlam; also the second entry in the Shell Scott series, as well as the second in this series (but not the last) to feature cover art by Barye Phillips.

Cover by Barye Phillips

From what I can tell, Phillips enjoyed a long and prolific career as an illustrator but I've yet to find any biographical information to share on the artist. (Except, of course, the part about him enjoying a long career as an illustrator.) However interested parties can peruse numerous other examples of illustrations penned during said career here.

(PS: And as always, larger versions, as well as covers of books that have found their way on to the blog previously, can be seen in the Pulp Fiction Project set in my Flickr photostream, here.)