Another collection of Harry Whittington’s stories from Stark House, this one composed entirely by pulp fictions starring PI Pat Raffigan. The volume begins with a stellar introduction to the series by David Laurence Wilson, that highlights the lead story, a novelette, for which the volume is named. If we go by the original publishing dates, this one was actually the last one written. I believe it was first part of the Handy-Books run, and debuted in 1951.

Although the (mostly) earlier, shorter capers originally appeared in newspapers they read like classic pulp fare with a heart-racing pace, wholesale murders, and relentless fights—with pistols or anything else close at hand. Raffigan is one poor PI; both financially and haplessly. His clients seem to either stiff him or die before he can collect his fee, and he is skull-socked or shot every time he wades into his enemies’ lairs. Good thing he’s tall, relatively buff, heals quickly, and is ultimately smarter than the killers—and the cops he often assists.

The unrelenting plots drive every case, but there’s considerably more air for characterization and subplots in the novelette. That’s where Raffigan’s indefatigable secretary Mary Beth Potter and Indigo City’s Homicide Detective Lieutenant Rory O’Rourke get their chances to shine, and add some depth and balance to all the thrills.

All told, The Lady was a Tramp is a non-stop, pulp-pounding, double-barreled read.