3.08.2009

Sultry Sunday #23 - The weekly "Pop Sensation" crossover

OK, Rex Parker here, back from being sick / at the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament. Yes, my life is exciting, thanks for noticing. Today, I actually feature books that contain good writing. For once.

-----

Paperback 204: Ace G-512
(1st ptg / 1st ptg)

Title: The Girl Who Had to Die / The Blank Wall
Author: Elisabeth Sanxay Holding
Cover artist: Uncredited / Uncredited

Yours for: $11


Best things about this cover:

  • There was this floating head that liked to eat sailboats, which made the tall, dark, mysterious man on the beach very sad. The end.
  • What is it with the rainy day covers on all these Holding novels? Dreary and decidedly unhot. More skin, please.
  • Actually, on third or fourth look, the streaks look less like rain than like the trim on some elaborate fur hat. Or a really, really bad haircut.

Best things about this other cover:

  • This is one of my favorite pieces of crime fiction ever written. Ever. Seriously, it's that good. And unusual. Super suspenseful, with really complex and interesting characters. Women that aren't just femmes fatales. Just great. Provides a fascinating glimpse into domestic life during WWII (i.e. while the husband is away at war). Wish it would stay in @#$@ing print!
  • More lazy art. Etch-a-sketch posing as op-art. And I think the guy from the other cover just walked through the book and ended up here. That lady is not a very good hider.

Page 123~ (from The Blank Wall)

"Here's something you might be glad of," he said, and held out three little capsules, bright yellow.

~RP

6 comments:

GeekGirl said...

I'd wondered where you'd gone! All of these novels are WAY before my time, but I still laugh at your interpretation of them and their crazy artwork.

Anonymous said...

The creepy guy in "The Blank Wall" looks like this singer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0

BikerPuppy said...

I like how her lipstick is the only color on the first cover. Reminds me of the little girl's red coat in Schindler's List (never figured out why it was red). Totally stands out.

The second cover immediately made me think of Ah-Ha's 80s video for "Take on Me." They are clearly from different worlds. (Hers is a world where women's boobs can poke your eye out.)

StuckInABook said...

Did you know that The Blank Wall was recently republished by the wonderful Persephone Books? www.persephonebooks.co.uk - the covers couldn't be more different, as Persephone's are all uniform grey!

Mack said...

Also check out Start House Press http://www.starkhousepress.com/for other titles by her.

-José Antónimo- said...

It's funny how Raymond Chandler actually created the lyrics for a Hip-Hop song when asked to write about the novel.