Robert Colby (–2006)

Robert Colby was among many who wrote cheap dime store novels in the early sixties. Not as well known as many of his peers, but a fine writer nonetheless.

The story is so well written that the reader is deep into it without blinking. It's a tale about a beautiful woman (Bonnie Duggan) who ensnares a rich tycoon (Floyd Wyckoff) in a con. He thinks they're merely headed to Florida for a few crazy nights between the sheets. After all, Bonnie "was the real deal, the genuine wanton.".
He doesn't know what he's in for. Neither does his estranged son (Bryan Wyckoff) who comes to his aid despite not having spoken to his father in five years. The good guys are the good guys in this book and
the bad guys (and gals) bad. You don't need a scoresheet to figure it out. Recommended reading.… (mais)

A terrific pulpish detective novel. Rod Striker and Myra Bailey are private investigators in Miami. A rich older lady who happens to be a multimillionaire hires Striker. Seems her niece, the irresistible Kim, met a shark who runs strip joints and gambling boats. Now she can't get rid of Tarino whose threatening her fiancé and her aunt. The aunt wants Striker to take the mobster In a back alley and teach him a lesson. Kim is in an electric field all her own. Even her touch was electric. She admitted she was a bit nympho and proved it. This is a well- written and well crafted story that reads very quickly. Private
investigators, mobsters, heiresses, gunfights, and other intrigue are all
here. One of the interesting storytelling devices that Colby uses is that
about midway through the book he switches viewpoints and tells the
tale from Myra's point of view. All in all, one great read.
… (mais)

This book starts in the middle of the action and then gives you the background. However, once you get past the confusing beginning, there's quite a story here. Two guys in the navy ( Gordy Steadman and
Todd Corwin) meet a girl ( Julie) at a dance. She alternately dates both and they both fall for her. After a whirlwind romance, Gordy marries her. While he's away on assignment, Julie is killed in what's said to be a hit and run, but the circumstances are strange and the eyewitnesses (the Lanskys) are forced to leave town. Seems the car involved
belonged to a family ( the Vollmers) that owns the town and everyone in it.

Gordy returns from active duty overseas to find out Julie's dead and, when he investigates, his shooting is declared a suicide. Todd now investigates, but no one has the balls to tell him what went on except for a former cop who got forced into retirement for asking too many questions.

Todd manages to meet the Vollmers and stay at their cottage, but he can never be sure if they know who he is or his
connection to the people who were killed.
Gail Vollmer is the voluptuous daughter. Her stepmother Joy is just two years older than her, likes the same men, and often sunbathes without a stitch on. She
is an animal just waiting to be uncaged. Matt Vollmer, the brother, jokes around with loaded guns. Yet, Todd knew that, if they meant to kill you, they would and nothing could stop them.

Recommended
… (mais)

Stanley Royce, a producer, takes the month of August off to stay in a Malibu apartment (Pacific Tides) and review scripts. The small apartment bldg had a star attraction and that was Star Osborne who had the apartment below Royce. Rod and Muriel Lindquist had another apt there. Muriel had let herself go to fat although she wasn't bad from the waist up. There were two bachelors and Laura Bishop rounded out the apartment population.

Star doesn't like sweet. She likes gruffness
and, when she comes onto Royce, she tells him that he may never make it out of these woods. She was lust made visible. She was not so much a woman as a consuming force. All the women hate her and the
men go nuts over her. If she didn't make trouble, it wouldn't be for lack of trying. Royce tastes Star and when he tells her the next morning that he's not coming back for seconds, all hell breaks loose.
Someone is brutally murdered and all the people in the apt bldg are suspects. Great thriller/ whodoneit. A very enjoyable read that withstands the passage of time.
… (mais)