Varick Vanardy (1865–1922)

Interesting collection of six pulp fiction/dime novel stories: "Nick Carter, Detective," The Counterfeiter's Gold Tooth, or Nick Carter's Crooked Correspondent," "Nick Carter's Mysterious Case, or The Road-House Tragedy," "Nick Carter's Beautiful Decoy, or The Diamond Duke of Chicago," "Nick Carter's Enemy, or Bringing a Murderer to the Gallows," and "Nick Carter and the Professor, or Solving a Scientific Problem." Nick Carter seems to have slayer strength, even though he is not a vampire slayer. He is a master of quick disguise and dialects. And, of course, he is extremely clever. Considering that the audience seems to be teenage boys, lots of big words are used. Character development does not get in the way of the action, which is fast-paced. Fun to read. Possible authors of these particular stories are John Coryell, who wrote the first Nick Carter; Frederick Marmaduke Van Rensselaer Dey, who wrote most of them; Frederic William Davies, or Eugene T. Sawyer.… (mais)