This is a reprint of early stories by Block. It is in two parts. The first is a collection of earlier crime short
stories, and the second three novellas featuring NYC private investigator Ed London. The author has written an
introduction to each part in which he admits that he hasn't reread these stories and only allowed their reprints for
monetary reasons and perhaps for the interest of those researchers of the genre.
Part one includes 25 stories, one of which was his attempt at science fiction (Happy that he abandoned that
genre!). All stories have a twist at the end: "Murder is my Business" about a man hired to murder but who is
really the victim and "Pseudo Identity" about a man who begins to live two lives but what happens to one identity
when the reason for it is eliminated.
The novellas featuring London are classic, with a hard boiled gumshoe tangling with a blonde and lying clients.
There is a blend of suspense, puzzles and cynical first person narrative....reminiscent of the pulp magazine fiction
of days long gone by.
Block has written an introduction to both parts of the book. The reading of them is as worthwhile and interesting
as the stories themselves. It is an excellent experience to observe the progress and improvement he has made.