Friday's Forgotten Books, Friday, July 11, 2014-FEMME FATALES

Last night, I lost all my blog links so I may have missed a few posts here. Please let me know.  I will be in and out today.

 

Ah, yes, femme fatales. Not only are they fine to gaze upon they are also a crime writer's best friend. Make a list of your favorite hardboiled and noir movies and you likely find a fatale femme in many if not most of them.

  I mentioned "gazing upon"them. Well, in a unique twist there's a 1957 movie in which the femme sets a small town ablaze and nobody has even seen her for a long, long time.

The movie is "Decision at Sundown" and it's one of the justly famous Randolph Scott westerns directed by Budd Boetticher. The hallmarks of these pictures were the low budgets, the excellent scripts and the  inability to sometimes tell the bad guys from the good.

Here we have Scott returning to ruin the wedding of the powerful man Scott believes stole his wife before she disappeared. Scott was in the war and when he returned he found she'd run off with the man who was about to be married.

Scott has reasoned in his loneliness, rage and misery that his wife was so ashamed of what she'd done that she couldn't face the judgment of the townspeople let alone that of her husband.

Scott plans to spoil the man's wedding by killing him, pushing him into a gunfight. The Sheriff tries to run him out of town but Scott and an old friend hole up, Scott waiting for the right moment. 

What could have been a standard cowboy story becomes a fascinating drama as Scott gradually learns that the "innocent" wife he so loves had always cheated on him. The powerful man was only one of many.

We are near the end of the second act before Scott learns that his grief and madness--and Scott does a good job of portraying both--has been for a woman he knew nothing about.

A true femme fatale.

Ed Gorman is the author of both the Dev Conrad and Sam McCain series. You can find him here

THE HOT SPOT, Charles Williams

I read an awful lot of novels with multiple POVS, with fancy jumps in time and place, with a magician's hat of tricks. So sometimes it is very, very nice to reach back to say 1953 and read a straight forward narrative that succeeds on its good plot, great characters, and most of all, great writing. THE HOT SPOT filled that bill.

Madox is not the type of villain you find in most current books. He's a drifter, just looking for a cushion, or an easy way out of his dead-end job working for a car dealer in a small town. When he pulls off a heist that will give him this cushion, things appear to go wrong immediately until the boss's wife throws him a safety line. He's not sure why (is it just for the sex?) but he grabs it and worries about the why of it down the road. That's the kind of guy he is.

He quickly falls for the female accountant next door who has troubles of her own, and it is her troubles that eventually bring Madox down.

This is a beautifully written story told in the first person. The femme fatale deviates from the typical one in that he is never lured in by her sexuality ( in fact he criticizes her "blousiness" at ever turn) but rather by the gift of her alibi and her situation as the boss's wife. It is the girl he loves that brings him the most misery.

So who is the femme fatale? Highly recommended.

Lawrence Block, Mona (Gold Medal #1085, 1961)

I'm sure we all have our own mental picture of a "femme fatale" in a noirish book or movie, whether it is Barbara Stanwyck in Double Indemnity or a more recent version.  In some cases the woman fleeces the innocents.  In others, the more interesting ones to my mind, the "victim" is like Joe Marlin here, our narrator and a self-proclaimed con man.  It's somehow more satisfying when the conner gets conned himself.

Mona (reprinted by Hard Case Crime as Grifter's Game, a better title) was, I believe, the first mystery by Block published under his own name.  Even though you might think you know where the book is going Block manages, even at that early date, to ring some changes on the theme. If the setup seems far fetched, well he tells you that himself.  Marlin flees a hotel bill in Philadelphia and lands in Atlantic City but as he can't check into a good hotel without luggage he grabs a couple of monogrammed suitcases at the train station, only to discover a whole lot of heroin inside.  Later that day on the beach he "accidentally" meets a beautiful if unhappily married young woman and they fall for each other.  Much to Joe's surprise (but not the reader's) her husband is...well, read it yourself.

Once Marlin discovers he's been had Block changes the usual scenario for something you probably won't see coming.  It certainly made for an ending I didn't expect.  As always, the book is tremendously readable.  One of the best parts for me was reading about life in 1960.  You could stay in the very best hotel in Philadelphia for ten dollars a night.  The prices in general are eye-opening.  Everyone smokes, everywhere - on an airplane, in a restaurant while eating, you name it.

This might not be the typical femme fatale story but it is one well worth your time, especially for fans of Lawrence Block, which should include all of you.

                                                                                                                   Jeff Meyerson
The FEMMES FATALES

Brian Busby, NO PLACE IN HEAVEN, Laura Warren
Bill Crider, A TOUCH OF DEATH, Charles Williams
Randy Johnson, SO YOUNG, SO WICKED, Jonathan CraigGeorge Kelley, FATALE, Jean-Patrick Machette
 B.V. Lawso, THE CHINESE FEMME FATALE, Anne E. McLaren
Evan Lewis, THE VOICE, Cleve F. Adams
Todd Mason, BEYOND THE NIGHT: SIX TALES, Cornell Woolrich
J.F. Norris, TWISTED CLAY, Frank Walford
James Reasoner, THE BITCH, Gil Brewer
Ron Scheer,THE LADY DOC, Caroline Lockhart



And other reviews

Joe Barone, HELL HOLE, Christ Grabenstein
Martin Edwards, WHERE EVERY PROSPECT PLEASES, Robertson Halkett 
Curt Evans, THE ORIGIN OF EVIL, Ellery Queen
Rick Horton, THROUGH SPACE TO MARS, Roy Rockwood 
Nick Jones, THE ART OF NEIL GAIMAN, Hailey Campbell
Margot Kinberg, A BLUNT INSTRUMENT, Georgette Heyer
Rob Kitchin, DOG ON IT, Spencer Quinn
Gerard Saylor, THE THIN MAN, Dashiell Hammett 
Kevin Tipple,/Barry Ergang, NOT SLEEPING, JUST DEAD, CharlesAlverson

Songs That Remind Me of Summer

Phil's Garden in July

Scariest Real Life Femme Fatales

Here is my pick.

Myra Hindley

From Wikipedia
The Moors murders were carried out by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley between July 1963 and October 1965, in and around what is now Greater Manchester, England. The victims were five children aged between 10 and 17—Pauline Reade, John Kilbride, Keith Bennett, Lesley Ann Downey and Edward Evans—at least four of whom were sexually assaulted. The murders are so named because two of the victims were discovered in graves dug on Saddleworth Moor; a third grave was discovered on the moor in 1987, more than 20 years after Brady and Hindley's trial in 1966. The body of a fourth victim, Keith Bennett, is also suspected to be buried there, but despite repeated searches it remains undiscovered.
The police were initially aware of only three killings, those of Edward Evans, Lesley Ann Downey and John Kilbride. The investigation was reopened in 1985, after Brady was reported in the press as having confessed to the murders of Pauline Reade and Keith Bennett. Brady and Hindley were taken separately to Saddleworth Moor to assist the police in their search for the graves, both by then having confessed to the additional murders.
Characterised by the press as "the most evil woman in Britain",^[1] Hindley made several appeals against her life sentence, claiming she was a reformed woman and no longer a danger to society, but she was never released. She died in 2002, aged 60. Brady was declared criminally insane in 1985, since when he has been confined in the high-security Ashworth Hospital. He has made it clear that he never wants to be released, and has repeatedly asked that he be allowed to die.

Telegraph.co.uk

Myra Hindley

 

Myra Hindley and her husband, Ian, killed quite a few children in England in the 1960s. The nefarious couple gained fame as the perpetrators of the ‘Moor Murders,’ named for Saddleworth Moor, a location in the northern part of the country where some of their victims were buried. Myra, the future serial killer, met her partner in crime just after he was released from prison (always a good sign in a relationship). Ian made her prove her absolute love for him by involving her in rape and murder, and thus turning her into one of England’s most vicious and famous femme fatales.

Read More: 10 Real Life Femme Fatales Through the Ages | http://guyspeed.com/10-real-life-femme-fatales-through-the-ages/?trackback=tsmclip

Telegraph.co.uk

Myra Hindley

 

Myra Hindley and her husband, Ian, killed quite a few children in England in the 1960s. The nefarious couple gained fame as the perpetrators of the ‘Moor Murders,’ named for Saddleworth Moor, a location in the northern part of the country where some of their victims were buried. Myra, the future serial killer, met her partner in crime just after he was released from prison (always a good sign in a relationship). Ian made her prove her absolute love for him by involving her in rape and murder, and thus turning her into one of England’s most vicious and famous femme fatales.

Read More: 10 Real Life Femme Fatales Through the Ages | http://guyspeed.com/10-real-life-femme-fatales-through-the-ages/?trackback=tsmclip

Songs That Remind Me of Summer

KEVIN AT SEVEN

I think Kevin is a pretty amazing kid. Of course, I'm his grandmother. This post is to help me remember him at age seven but I would love to hear what you or your kids were like at seven too.

 There have been lots and lots of lego kits in Kevin's seven years. He can't be persuaded to take them apart once built. His pleasure, immediately, was in following the directions rather then free-form styling.

Kevin's favorite thing to read right now is CALVIN AND HOBBES. He likes comic strips and does a few of his own. 

Kevin is interested in art in general.

He is a selective eater and chocolate ice cream cones and warm pretzels are his favorites. 

One of his favorite TV shows is RABBIDS INVASION and we are waiting for the first books to appear in two weeks. 

Kevin loves board and video games of every kind and won a trophy for coming in third place in chess.

                             Sportswise, Kevin likes to skate, swim, bike and ski. As yet, the charms of baseball have eluded him.

One of his very favorite activities is making up games to play. Understanding the rules is sometimes difficult for we adults.

We love you so much, Kevin. Stay the smiling, sweet, generous, eclectic boy you are. And thanks to Josh and Julie for making a grandson that is so special.

Tuesday Night Music; MY MAN

It may be corny now but back in the mid-sixties I bet this record played when couples had sex more than any other.

Who Is Your Choice for the Greatest Femme Fatale in a Movie?

 I have always had a deep fondness for Kathleen Turner's performance  in BODY HEAT. No, this is not a forgotten movie but it's nice to remember these two actors at the peak of their careers--doing what each did well. Hurt made a great victim and Turner a great femme fatale.

How about you? Who's your favorite movie femme fatale?

Opening Credits: BAYWATCH

The Darkest Book You've Read

Phil says the darkest book he's ever read is THE DINNER by Herbert Koch. For me, it would be THE ROOM. Close runnerups would be WINTER'S BONE and THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK.

What would you choose?

On Writing Joyce Carol Oates

BOOK OF MORMONS

Haven't been at a modern musical where people enjoyed themselves more than at this one in many years. It is so cagily pitched to both mock a religion yet respect its practitioners. It's impossible to see how they got it so right. These are the guys who wrote SOUTH PARK so you know they are vulgar, edgy, profane, but this manages to be a heart-warming musical. Having the young elders go to Uganda was a streak of genius too because it allowed for fish out of water, fabulous African music, and faces that contrasted sharply.

Can't remember a better time in a theater. See it if it comes your way.

Saturday Night Music: Maroon Five PAY PHONE

Friday's Forgotten Books-Abreviated Fourth Version

Joe Barone, THE OLD FOX DECEIVED, Martha Grimes
Brian Busby, CANADA, Brian Moore and editor of LIFE
Bill Crider, THE READER"S GUIDE TO BARSOOM AND AMTOR, Van Arnam et all
Ed Gorman, Sarah Weinman, Dorothy HughesCurt Evans, Josephine Tey
Rick Horton, THE WOMAN IN QUESTION, John Reed Scott
Jerry House, HOUND DUNNIT, edited by Asimov et al
Randy Johnson, PEACEMAKER RAWHIDE, Clifford Blair
Nick Jones, ASTRO CITY CONFESSION, Busiek, Anderson and Ross
Margot Kinberg, THE HEALER, Antti Tuomainen
Rob Kitchin,THE GIGOLO MURDER, Mehmet Murat Somer
B.V. Lawson, FOURTH OF JULY mysteries
Evan Lewis, RING AROUND ROSIE, William Campbell Gault
Steve Lewis/Allen J. Hubbin, THE RUSSIA HOUSE, John LeCarre
Brian Lindenmuth, CRUISERS, Craig Nova
Todd Mason, SUPERNATURAL FICTION WRITERS: CONTEMPORARY FANTASY AND HORROR 2nd Edition, edited by Richard Bleiler 
Richard Robinson, BIBLIOHOLISM, Ton Rabe
Gerard Saylor, FIFTY TO ONE, Charles Ardai
Ron Scheer,  TALES FROM CORRAL FENCES, John Duncklee; DESIRE OF THE MOTHS, Eugene Manlove Groves
Kevin Tipple, RED, WHITE AND BLUE MURDER, Bill Crider
TomCat, THE CAMERA CLUE, George Harmon Coxe

Final Scene: TWIN PEAKS

Theme Song: ARTHUR'S THEME

Popular Books with Bad Endings

THE HUFFINGTON POST chose these. 

I am going to go with ROOM by Emma Donaghue. When an author puts you through the grinder as this book did, you need to come away with more hope for a good future for its characters than this book provided. Although the ending may be authentic to life, it's not satisfying as fiction. Even a more vague ending would have been better.

What's your choice for an unsatisfactory ending to a good book? 

Tuesday Night Music: Paul Williams

Forgotten Movies: WAKE IN FRIGHT

This is without a doubt one of the most disturbing movies I have ever seen. You can't look but you can't look away.

A schoolteacher, drafted to teach in a one-room school into a nowhere town in Australia, is on his way to the airport to fly to Sidney for vacation when he is waylaid in a town called Yabba, filled almost entirely with men who gamble, drink, hunt and fight. He is a different sort of man, at least at first.

This film was lost for the 40 years since its release in 1971. Although critically acclaimed at the time, the Australian audience hated it for its rude, blunt, nasty depiction of men without women in the outback. Highly recommended if you have the constitution for a lot of the above.