It’s all about the fun size this time out, with three short story collections from three different authors, all of whom have been covered before, including one longtime favorite. Now for the ADD-addled noir fans, here are three to search for.

WHEN DAMES GET TOUGH WITH SCARRED FACES & OTHER RARITIES by Hank Janson – Slowly but surely, Janson is becoming a patron saint of this column. This 2004 anthology collects five novella-like stories, two of which were originally published in Underworld magazine. Let’s just say Hank was never a slouch, kids.

These stories bristle with things that making reading noir so much fun, starting with all women being called “dames.” Included is “When Dames Get Tough,” a story dealing with some stolen perfume goods, and one hell of a catfight. Our main “hero” is just in the wrong place at the wrong time – a situation used for some of the other stories. Following is “Scarred Faces,” which for its time – 1946 – is a brutal little tale with a huge blackmail plot and some gruesome scenes dealing with dripping acid. Take that, you horror freaks.

In “Kitty Takes a Rap,” a guy picks up a girl on the run, getting him into a whole heap of trouble. But here is one thing you’ll learn: Never cross a women who is set in protecting her man. “Double Double-Cross” feels like a predecessor to all the Richard Stark novels, opening with our main character tied up and being beaten. It just goes to show you that in a gang of criminals, there is always one who will fuck it up.

Closing out this tip-top collection is “The Dead Guy,” in which Hank – still carrying a torch for his former wife – goes to a bar and runs into a girl who has a nasty surprise at her apartment with which she needs help. Janson’s works needs to get more exposure. I know Telos is doing a great job with these reissues; I just wish I ordered more of them.

THE SHELL SCOTT SAMPLER by Richard S. Prather – This 1969 number collects five stories in the Shell Scott output. As the title suggests, you get the feeling with this was intended for new readers, with quick and breezy tales that won’t tax your time or mind.

It starts off with “The Guilty Party,” involving a woman named Lydia Brindley and a very jealous fiancé. Up next is a super-quick tale called “The Live Ones,” in which Shell shows up home to find not one, but three naked women in his bed, waiting for some lovin’. As it turns out, someone is trying to bust Shell on a moral count.

Then comes one of the two long stories: “The Da Vinci Affair,” dealing with Shell finding secret codes in some old paintings and his trip to Paris. Just kidding – actually, it does deal with a lost painting and its very rich owner who wants it found, but under some strict conditions. Then comes the awesomely titled “The Bawdy Beautiful,” which has a actress who works in commercials witnessing a murder, all due to a secret ingredient of a product.

The final and longest of the stories, “The Cautious Killers,” deals with Scott on the night on the town and witnessing the murder of a big-time lawyer, with all the clues pointing to a just-released ex-con with a tissue-thin alibi. All these stories pretty much have the same thing going for them: Shell Scott gets laid a lot. It’s not described; you’re just left to believe. The book is a great intro to a fun character I’m only just now discovering.

THE TOUGH GUYS by Mickey Spillane – Yes, folks, there are still a few – and I do mean a few Spillane books I haven’t yet read. This 1969 three-story collection is probably his easiest to find in most used bookstores; at least near me, every one of them has a copy.

The first story features Kelly Smith, arriving in a town that’s more of a tourist spot in the fishing season. Its locals are very particular about strangers who visit out of season, because there’s something strange going on in town, you see, and it involves the criminal element and a bizarre sex ring. I felt as though Spillane was just reworking the book THE LONG WAIT, with the whole “one man comes to clean up the town” motif. It’s not his strongest by a long shot.

Up next is the longest and most satisfying of the bunch: “The Seven Year Kill,” about a former reporter who just got out of jail and is looking to take revenge and clear his name. But this gets gummed up by the appearance of a girl who seems to be connected to his prey. The story is pure Spillane bad-ass, with our journalist hero knocking in heads and going on the search for a man who may or may not be dead, with all the great Spillane twists and turns you’d expect.

The last story, “The Bastard Bannerman,” is totally ruined by the blurb on the back cover. Our hero Cat Cay Bannerman is the bastard child of a wealthily family whose influence is widespread. He comes back to them, but is still treated like a blight. Someone is squeezing the Bannermans for some money, because it looks like they covered up a murder, sending Cat in search of the truth. Again, I want to point out that the back cover gives away who Cat really is, spoiling the entire thing, so be forewarned. It’s a bit like Spillane doing a cozy mystery, with the big reveal in the drawing room with all the main characters there. Still a fine story, but not what I would consider his best material.

Next time: Take a picture – it’ll last longer. –Bruce Grossman

Buy it at Amazon.

OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THESE AUTHORS:
• BLACK ALLEY by Mickey Spillane
• DANCE WITH THE DEAD by Richard S. Prather
• THE DELTA FACTOR by Mickey Spillane
• THE KILLING MAN by Mickey Spillane
• THE LAST COP OUT by Mickey Spillane
• THE LONG WAIT by Mickey Spillane
• THE PEDDLER by Richard S. Prather
• SKIRTS BRING ME SORROW by Hank Janson