BG64: Chartered Love by Conrad DawnThe introduction by Gary Lovisi explains this novel was originally published in 1961 by sleazehouse Novel Books (#3506); so you know going in to limit your expectations. Nonetheless, it has a lot going for it. Dawn apparently knew the territory of scavenger operations and treasure hunters, and sold me on the authenticity of his narrative. There is plenty of detail, clever twists, and plenty of action to keep you turning pages.

The aspect that keeps things tethered in the second-tier arena is lack of character development. The leads are moderately fleshed out, while the supporting cast is nothing more than roles with names. Skewed toward the male readers of its era, Captain Darrow is a borderline toxic macho-man and the love interest—and financier of the treasure hunt—Elizabeth McCain is likewise stereotroped into her shipboard attire and manner.

Not quite in the league of most of Black Gat’s earlier reprints, Chartered Love, is still worth a few hours of your reading time. It’s an exciting, adventurous treasure hunt told by an author who knows the ropes and the waves.

Present day prison novels and memoirs are loaded with violence and assault. The convicts must band together for survival against rival gangs and their keepers. So I was particularly interested to read Odlum’s novel, first published…

Private Investigator Lee Baron relocates to his Florida past to take over his now deceased father’s one-man agency. He explains his approach to a couple of local cops who think he’s holding out on them: “My…

Melody Frane had it all, and she had nothing. She was strikingly beautiful, seventeen, and dirt poor; wandering from town to town working the fields under the tutelage of her drunken, promiscuous mother. Not a promising…