MICHAEL AVALLONE
Some weeks ago, we provided a list of books by Harry Stephen Keeler, describing him as the worst mystery writer of all time. Perhaps this was a rush to judgment, as there are many vocal and powerful advocates for the work of Michael Avallone (1924-1999), who also rated a full chapter in Gun in Cheek, Bill Pronzini’s tribute to the worst writers in the crime fiction world. Avallone’s most famous character is Ed Noon, a private eye and enthusiast of baseball and movies who is the personal investigator for the president of the United States. The plots of his books are fantastic improvisations, the style is a brain-jangling riff on the English language, and his characters are amalgams of people taken from the films of Hitchcock, Orson Welles and Frank Capra. His huge cult following has made him as collectable as Keeler. All but the first book listed are paperback originals.
Avallone, Michael, The Splitting Image, N.Y., Henry Holt, 1953. First edition. Fine in dust jacket with small chip in front panel. $75.00
Avallone, Michael. Death Dives Deep, New York: Signet, 1971. First edition. Fine in wrappers. $45.00
Avallone, Michael. Kill Her--You’ll Like It! New York: Curtis Books, 1973. First edition. spine lightly sunned, else Fine. $45.00
Avallone, Michael. Killer on the Keys. New York: Curtis, 1973. First edition. Fine in wrappers. $45.00
Avallone, Michael. Little Miss Murder. New York: Signet, 1971. First edition. Fine in wrappers. $15.00
Avallone, Michael. London Bloody London. New York: Curtis Books, 1972. First edition. Fine in wrappers. $45.00
Avallone, Michael. Meanwhile Back at the Morgue. Greenwich, CT: Gold Medal/Fawcett, 1960. First edition, closed tear on back cover, else Fine. $20.00
Avallone, Michael. There Is Something About a Dame. New York: Belmont, 1963. First edition. Near Fine in wrappers. Small, closed tear at base of spine, two inch crease to back cover. $15.00
Avallone, Michael, The Alarming Clock, New York: Curtis Books, 1961. First edition, paperback, signed by the author, fine. $75.00
Avallone, Michael, Assassins Don’t Die In Bed, New York: Signet, 1968. First edition, paperback, near fine with very light wear along edges and a number written in pencil inside front cover. $45.00
Avallone, Michael, The Case of the Bouncing Betty; The Case of the Violent Virgin, New York: Ace Books, 1957. First edition, paperback, near fine with creased spine and wear to spine extremities, front hinge split. $65.00
Avallone, Michael, The Doomsday Bag, New York: Signet, 1969. First edition, paperback, fine with light wear along edges and spine. $35.00
Avallone, Michael, The February Doll Murders, New York: Signet, 1967. First edition, paperback, fine with crease in spine and light wear to spine extremities. The number 5 is stamped on top edges. $15.00
Avallone, Michael, The Horrible Man, New York: Curtis, 1968. First edition, paperback, fine with date stamped along top edges. $45.00
Avallone, Michael, Shoot it Again, Sam, New York: Curtis, 1972. First edition, paperback, fine with date stamped along top edges, small crease to front right corner. $45.00
Avallone, Michael, Violence in Velvet, New York: Signet, 1956. First edition, paperback, near fine with two small creases in front cover and small tear in bottom of spine. $45.00
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