My Blog

Retirement. Publishers, thank you for the many years of reading pleasure you gave me, but all good things must come to an end. Due to failing eyesight I am forced to retire. I can no longer review your books, and any that you send will be donated to the local library, unread. Do not send any more. I can only read for a couple hours every day, and this does not allow me to finish a book in reasonable time. I will be devoting time to my own books from now on, and reading on a personal level. Books that interest me. I prefer paperbacks and hardbacks, not eBooks. My eyesight has been failing the last few years, and I cannot handle hundreds of review books any more. My books are still available for review. Anyone interested in reviewing any of them, they are found in the Link to Tom’s Books On Amazon. Contact me for pdf copies at fadingshadows40@gmail.com

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

G-Man Companion Now Available

Now available on Altus Press and Amazon. This 414 Page volume contains my research into the Dan Fowler series, plus some new material identifying early reprints. It will also reprint two novels from the series, which Will Murray and I consider two of the best in the series, plus a Fowler novel by Robert Sidney Bowen that didn’t make it for the series. Paperback is $34.95. Hardback edition coming soon.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Shadowhawke

Shadowhawke From K.G. McAbee & Tom Johnson

Deposed from her Balkan kingdom, the Spider Lady rules a new kingdom in America. Taking over the New York underworld, she operates from a hidden underground cavern. Those who oppose her are forced into her deadly web. But one man and his fighting team take up the trail to bring justice to the Queen of the underworld. The Shadowhawke!

With the ever-rising cost of pulp-related books, Tom Johnson re-launched his old Fading Shadows imprint to see if it was possible to produce a book for under $10.00. With Gail McAbee’s birthday coming up in November, Tom chose their action-packed pulp story, “Shadowhawke: First Flight” as an experiment. This 128-page (4 x 7) paperback is the result. Printing isn’t cheap, but we’ve eliminated the middleman. With only a few copies ordered for this experimental product, Tom is offering them on a first come basis at $7.95, plus postage. This was not meant for regular sales and is not available on Amazon or in bookstores. Contact Tom at fadingshadows40@gmail.com for ordering information while they last. Available now in very limited supply.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Doc Atlas

The Incredible Adventures of Doc Atlas by Michael A. Black & Ray Lovato is a 270-page Omnibus containing five adventures of Atlas and his companions: The Riddle of The Sphinx, Desert Shadows, Killer Gorilla, Arctic Terror, and The Satan Plague. Stories collected from original printings in Gary Lovisi’s Gryphon Doubles and Tom & Ginger Johnson’s Double Danger Tales.  The cover for this beautiful issue is done by Geof Darrow, interior art by Tim Faurote and Matthew Lovato. A must have collection! Available on Amazon.

Friday, November 4, 2011

The World of Suzie Wong

I was just a lad when I first read this book, and then I had to see the movie. I think I fell in love with Nancy Kwan in that film! I've always had a special attachment to this book cover. The day of great book covers may be gone now, and that's a pity. Although it's been too long for me to remember much about the novel, at the time I was fascinated with The World of Suzie Wong, and loved the book by Richard Mason.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Kill Me In Tokyo

Kill Me In Tokyo by Earl Norman (Norman Thompson) from 1958. This novel kicked off the Burns Bannion series, though the karate champ didn't catch on until the 1960s. Only nine thrill-packed stories were published by Berkley, followed by Erle Editions in Japan. After nine stories set in Japan, Norman changed the locale to Hong Kong, and published a final novel, Hang Me In Hong Kong, featuring a new character named Rick Shaw.