Stephen Jones – Basil Copper: A Life In Books

Stephen Jones (ed.) – Basil Copper: A Life In Books (PS Publishing, Feb. 2008)

Stephen Jones – Introduction: Recollections Of Basil Copper
Basil Copper – Foreword
Richard Dalby – Basil Copper, Crime Writer And Master Of The Macabre
Stephen Jones – Basil Copper: A Working Bibliography. A. Macabre And Supernatural Novels
Basil Copper – Remembering August Derleth And Arkham House
Stephen Jones – Basil Copper: A Working Bibliography. B. Macabre And Supernatural Collections
Basil Copper – The Game’s Afoot! August Derleth And Solar Pons
Stephen Jones – Basil Copper: A Working Bibliography. C. The ‘Solar Pons’ Series
Basil Copper – August Derleth: A Giant Remembered
Stephen Jones – Basil Copper: A Working Bibliography. D. The ‘Mike Faraday’ Series
Basil Copper – Rap Sheet
Basil Copper – Diamonds Are For Never
Stephen Jones – Basil Copper: A Working Bibliography. E. Other Books
Basil Copper – In The Footsteps Of Dracula
Stephen Jones – Basil Copper: A Working Bibliography. F. Non-Fiction
Basil Copper – The Curse
Basil Copper – Professor Mahmoud
Stephen Jones – Basil Copper: A Working Bibliography. G. Short Stories And Novellas
Basil Copper – Peter Haining: A Tribute
Basil Copper – The Black Coffin
Stephen Jones – Basil Copper: A Working Bibliography. H. Media Adaptations
Basil Copper – Count Magnus
Stephen Jones – Basil Copper: A Working Bibliography. I. Unpublished Works
Basil Copper – Darkness, Mist And Shadow: The Landscape Of Fear

Illustrations by Randy Broeker and Les Edwards

“the basil copper book is a model in bibliography, and the articles are a fascinating read. my only minor quibble is that the proofing suddenly goes to pot on the short stories, which i found most bizarre. but it only stood out as the rest of the text was immaculate, i guess. mr c’s screenplay is a cracker, btw, and really should have been made. i’d recommend anyone who, like me, has only ever read his macabre stuff to look out for the hardboiled novels; on the strength of the short story included in this volume, i certainly intend to!”

– pulphack on Vault of Evil

After the excitement and excesses of the launch, maybe it’s time to turn our attention to the book – and what a splendid effort by all concerned. First impressions (i’ve barely dipped into it yet) are pulphack’s “model in bibliography”-cum- big Basil scrapbook with several photo’s of the great man in action taken at various stages of his career and much fine illustrative work. Some of it – like the Peter Haining tribute – is snippet-size, but Stephen Jones’ biblio is an all-encompassing thing which speaks of several hours devoted study.

As with the event, it’s a celebratory thing that will have you wishing your own favourite authors had studies like this devoted to them. Be warned, i’m planning to return to A Life In Books when i’ve given it a super-scrutiny, but now that pesky perve The Handyman beckons ….