Lawrence Block — The Agony of STRANGE EMBRACE/69 BARROW STREET
Some titles are worth bringing back. We think so with Lawrence Block’s early novels, Strange Embrace and 69 Barrow Street, an opinion shared by The Agony Column: “But the memories are strong enough to inspire Hard Case Crime to team up with Subterranean Press for an absolutely stunning hardcover re-issue of two super-duper sleazefests in the beloved “Ace Double” format. Lawrence Block is the stuff of literary legend now, a mystery writer who claims to be retired while working harder than the girls in a Madonna video… Hard Case Crime and Subterranean Press have gone all out on this double. The new art is by Robert McGinnis and it is superbly sleazy; gorgeous and evocative. Publishing a hardcover version of the old Ace Double format is gutsy, but ultimately very cool. And at $30, the price is great as well. Here are two books in one volume that are well worth reading and a hoot to own. These books put their goods on display right there on the covers; twice, in case you missed it the first time, either now or back then.”