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69 Barrow Street / Strange Embrace
69 BARROW STREET:
Greenwich Village: home to every form of depravity and perversion known to man...or woman.
It’s on the streets of the Village that Ralph met Stella—but what started as a love affair between a painter and his seductive muse has become torment as he’s found himself drawn into her world of cruel pleasures. It's a tinderbox of hatred and desire—and when beautiful Susan Rivers moves into their apartment building, tempting Ralph and Stella both, it’s set to ignite.
From dim waterfront bars to the movie houses of Times Square, from nights in rat-trap hotel rooms to drug-fueled orgies in ground-floor apartments, no one can bring 1960s New York to life like Edgar Award winner Lawrence Block. And in this early tale of psychological suspense—unavailable for fifty years and never before published under his real name—readers will discover a harrowing portrait of men and women pushed to their limits and beyond. It’s a double shot of darkness as only Lawrence Block can deliver it.
STRANGE EMBRACE:
They say the show must go on—but in the case of Broadway’s next sensation, A Touch of Squalor, someone’s out to make sure the show never opens. And when threats don’t do the trick, a straight razor to the throat just might.
It’s a case for the NYPD...but with a mysterious killer targeting his cast, producer Johnny Lane can’t just wait in the wings. There’s a Playbill full of suspects, giving Johnny the casting challenge of his career: who to put in the role of murderer, when the wrong call could bring down the curtain on his show—or his life!
Published here for the first time in half a century—and the first time ever under the author’s real name—Strange Embrace is one of MWA Grand Master Lawrence Block’s earliest detective novels. And for fans of Block’s whodunits who want to see where it all began, it’s cause for a standing ovation.
Greenwich Village: home to every form of depravity and perversion known to man...or woman.
It’s on the streets of the Village that Ralph met Stella—but what started as a love affair between a painter and his seductive muse has become torment as he’s found himself drawn into her world of cruel pleasures. It's a tinderbox of hatred and desire—and when beautiful Susan Rivers moves into their apartment building, tempting Ralph and Stella both, it’s set to ignite.
From dim waterfront bars to the movie houses of Times Square, from nights in rat-trap hotel rooms to drug-fueled orgies in ground-floor apartments, no one can bring 1960s New York to life like Edgar Award winner Lawrence Block. And in this early tale of psychological suspense—unavailable for fifty years and never before published under his real name—readers will discover a harrowing portrait of men and women pushed to their limits and beyond. It’s a double shot of darkness as only Lawrence Block can deliver it.
STRANGE EMBRACE:
They say the show must go on—but in the case of Broadway’s next sensation, A Touch of Squalor, someone’s out to make sure the show never opens. And when threats don’t do the trick, a straight razor to the throat just might.
It’s a case for the NYPD...but with a mysterious killer targeting his cast, producer Johnny Lane can’t just wait in the wings. There’s a Playbill full of suspects, giving Johnny the casting challenge of his career: who to put in the role of murderer, when the wrong call could bring down the curtain on his show—or his life!
Published here for the first time in half a century—and the first time ever under the author’s real name—Strange Embrace is one of MWA Grand Master Lawrence Block’s earliest detective novels. And for fans of Block’s whodunits who want to see where it all began, it’s cause for a standing ovation.
325 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1959
2 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Block
761 books3,001 followersLawrence Block has been writing crime, mystery, and suspense fiction for more than half a century. He has published in excess (oh, wretched excess!) of 100 books, and no end of short stories.
Born in Buffalo, N.Y., LB attended Antioch College, but left before completing his studies; school authorities advised him that they felt he’d be happier elsewhere, and he thought this was remarkably perceptive of them.
His earliest work, published pseudonymously in the late 1950s, was mostly in the field of midcentury erotica, an apprenticeship he shared with Donald E. Westlake and Robert Silverberg. The first time Lawrence Block’s name appeared in print was when his short story “You Can’t Lose” was published in the February 1958 issue of Manhunt. The first book published under his own name was Mona (1961); it was reissued several times over the years, once as Sweet Slow Death. In 2005 it became the first offering from Hard Case Crime, and bore for the first time LB’s original title, Grifter’s Game.
LB is best known for his series characters, including cop-turned-private investigator Matthew Scudder, gentleman burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr, globe-trotting insomniac Evan Tanner, and introspective assassin Keller.
Because one name is never enough, LB has also published under pseudonyms including Jill Emerson, John Warren Wells, Lesley Evans, and Anne Campbell Clarke.
LB’s magazine appearances include American Heritage, Redbook, Playboy, Linn’s Stamp News, Cosmopolitan, GQ, and The New York Times. His monthly instructional column ran in Writer’s Digest for 14 years, and led to a string of books for writers, including the classics Telling Lies for Fun & Profit and The Liar’s Bible. He has also written episodic television (Tilt!) and the Wong Kar-wai film, My Blueberry Nights.
Several of LB’s books have been filmed. The latest, A Walk Among the Tombstones, stars Liam Neeson as Matthew Scudder and is scheduled for release in September, 2014.
LB is a Grand Master of Mystery Writers of America, and a past president of MWA and the Private Eye Writers of America. He has won the Edgar and Shamus awards four times each, and the Japanese Maltese Falcon award twice, as well as the Nero Wolfe and Philip Marlowe awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, and the Diamond Dagger for Life Achievement from the Crime Writers Association (UK). He’s also been honored with the Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement Award from Mystery Ink magazine and the Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement in the short story. In France, he has been proclaimed a Grand Maitre du Roman Noir and has twice been awarded the Societe 813 trophy. He has been a guest of honor at Bouchercon and at book fairs and mystery festivals in France, Germany, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and Taiwan. As if that were not enough, he was also presented with the key to the city of Muncie, Indiana. (But as soon as he left, they changed the locks.)
LB and his wife Lynne are enthusiastic New Yorkers and relentless world travelers; the two are members of the Travelers Century Club, and have visited around 160 countries.
He is a modest and humble fellow, although you would never guess as much from this biographical note.
Born in Buffalo, N.Y., LB attended Antioch College, but left before completing his studies; school authorities advised him that they felt he’d be happier elsewhere, and he thought this was remarkably perceptive of them.
His earliest work, published pseudonymously in the late 1950s, was mostly in the field of midcentury erotica, an apprenticeship he shared with Donald E. Westlake and Robert Silverberg. The first time Lawrence Block’s name appeared in print was when his short story “You Can’t Lose” was published in the February 1958 issue of Manhunt. The first book published under his own name was Mona (1961); it was reissued several times over the years, once as Sweet Slow Death. In 2005 it became the first offering from Hard Case Crime, and bore for the first time LB’s original title, Grifter’s Game.
LB is best known for his series characters, including cop-turned-private investigator Matthew Scudder, gentleman burglar Bernie Rhodenbarr, globe-trotting insomniac Evan Tanner, and introspective assassin Keller.
Because one name is never enough, LB has also published under pseudonyms including Jill Emerson, John Warren Wells, Lesley Evans, and Anne Campbell Clarke.
LB’s magazine appearances include American Heritage, Redbook, Playboy, Linn’s Stamp News, Cosmopolitan, GQ, and The New York Times. His monthly instructional column ran in Writer’s Digest for 14 years, and led to a string of books for writers, including the classics Telling Lies for Fun & Profit and The Liar’s Bible. He has also written episodic television (Tilt!) and the Wong Kar-wai film, My Blueberry Nights.
Several of LB’s books have been filmed. The latest, A Walk Among the Tombstones, stars Liam Neeson as Matthew Scudder and is scheduled for release in September, 2014.
LB is a Grand Master of Mystery Writers of America, and a past president of MWA and the Private Eye Writers of America. He has won the Edgar and Shamus awards four times each, and the Japanese Maltese Falcon award twice, as well as the Nero Wolfe and Philip Marlowe awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, and the Diamond Dagger for Life Achievement from the Crime Writers Association (UK). He’s also been honored with the Gumshoe Lifetime Achievement Award from Mystery Ink magazine and the Edward D. Hoch Memorial Golden Derringer for Lifetime Achievement in the short story. In France, he has been proclaimed a Grand Maitre du Roman Noir and has twice been awarded the Societe 813 trophy. He has been a guest of honor at Bouchercon and at book fairs and mystery festivals in France, Germany, Australia, Italy, New Zealand, Spain and Taiwan. As if that were not enough, he was also presented with the key to the city of Muncie, Indiana. (But as soon as he left, they changed the locks.)
LB and his wife Lynne are enthusiastic New Yorkers and relentless world travelers; the two are members of the Travelers Century Club, and have visited around 160 countries.
He is a modest and humble fellow, although you would never guess as much from this biographical note.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 27, 2012
69 Barrow Street: Artist Ralph Lambert lives at 69 Barrow Street with a woman he both loves and hates. But what happens when they both get infatuated with the girl who just moved into their building...
Here we are, the first book in this Ace Double style Hard Case. Much like Hellcats and Honeygirls, these are books from Lawrence Block's early years writing smut, so if you're expecting the awesomeness of the marvelous Matthew Scudder series, you'll be disappointed.
On the other hand, if you like a bit of sleaze, you'll be entertained.
69 Barrow Street is the story of three people who live in the same apartment building in The Village. Ralph Lambert is an unemployed artist. Stella James is the buxom blond living off her inheritance and abusing Ralph as she sees fit in their twisted relationship. The applecart of their domestic "bliss" is upset when a lesbian named Susan Rivers moves into the building and Ralph decides to paint her.
Parts of the story are hilariously dated, like the talk of homosexual neurosis and early sixties slang. The tension builds as Ralph starts having feelings for Susan and Stella starts a bizarre relationship with another woman to cope.
There's a fair bit of smut as well, though it's fairly tame by today's standards. Still, it gets the job done. The relationship between Ralph and Susan is pretty well done, especially considering this was a smut paperback back in the day. The ending was good, heartwarming for one party and extremely twisted for the other. This story is a strong three, part Fatal Attraction and part Chasing Amy, and the ending makes it Hard Case worthy.
Strange Embrace:
Producer Johnny Lane's leading lady winds up dead, her throat slashed from ear to ear with a straight razor. Soon, the rest of the cast is getting threatening phone calls and Johnny is beaten up in an alley by thugs. Can he figure out who's behind the murder before his entire cast winds up dead?
Okay, if I had any doubts about this collection and its place in the Hard Case line, they went out the window with Strange Embrace. This one was a Hard Case from start to finish.
Even though he's a producer of plays, Johnny Lane makes a convincing and plausible detective lead. The cast, such as it is, are fairly well developed, especially since this was originally a lesbian smut paperback. I had an idea who the killer was but like he does to me over and over again, old Lawrence had me doubting myself on a couple occasions.
Like the first story, some things seemed hilariously dated but Block's writing improved quite a bit in between these two books.
Since I haven't already mentioned it, I'd like to say that while I normally don't care for Robert McGinnis's Hard Case covers, the two on this one were both top notch, although they didn't have much to do with the tales within. Be careful though, you probably shouldn't read these in public. One of the covers has nipples on display!
Four out of five stars based on pure entertainment value. If you're a fan of Lawrence Block, nab this now before you have to pay the jacked up prices Subterranean books normally command once they go out of print!
Here we are, the first book in this Ace Double style Hard Case. Much like Hellcats and Honeygirls, these are books from Lawrence Block's early years writing smut, so if you're expecting the awesomeness of the marvelous Matthew Scudder series, you'll be disappointed.
On the other hand, if you like a bit of sleaze, you'll be entertained.
69 Barrow Street is the story of three people who live in the same apartment building in The Village. Ralph Lambert is an unemployed artist. Stella James is the buxom blond living off her inheritance and abusing Ralph as she sees fit in their twisted relationship. The applecart of their domestic "bliss" is upset when a lesbian named Susan Rivers moves into the building and Ralph decides to paint her.
Parts of the story are hilariously dated, like the talk of homosexual neurosis and early sixties slang. The tension builds as Ralph starts having feelings for Susan and Stella starts a bizarre relationship with another woman to cope.
There's a fair bit of smut as well, though it's fairly tame by today's standards. Still, it gets the job done. The relationship between Ralph and Susan is pretty well done, especially considering this was a smut paperback back in the day. The ending was good, heartwarming for one party and extremely twisted for the other. This story is a strong three, part Fatal Attraction and part Chasing Amy, and the ending makes it Hard Case worthy.
Strange Embrace:
Producer Johnny Lane's leading lady winds up dead, her throat slashed from ear to ear with a straight razor. Soon, the rest of the cast is getting threatening phone calls and Johnny is beaten up in an alley by thugs. Can he figure out who's behind the murder before his entire cast winds up dead?
Okay, if I had any doubts about this collection and its place in the Hard Case line, they went out the window with Strange Embrace. This one was a Hard Case from start to finish.
Even though he's a producer of plays, Johnny Lane makes a convincing and plausible detective lead. The cast, such as it is, are fairly well developed, especially since this was originally a lesbian smut paperback. I had an idea who the killer was but like he does to me over and over again, old Lawrence had me doubting myself on a couple occasions.
Like the first story, some things seemed hilariously dated but Block's writing improved quite a bit in between these two books.
Since I haven't already mentioned it, I'd like to say that while I normally don't care for Robert McGinnis's Hard Case covers, the two on this one were both top notch, although they didn't have much to do with the tales within. Be careful though, you probably shouldn't read these in public. One of the covers has nipples on display!
Four out of five stars based on pure entertainment value. If you're a fan of Lawrence Block, nab this now before you have to pay the jacked up prices Subterranean books normally command once they go out of print!
Want to read
October 5, 2017"69 Barrow Street / Strange Embrace" were two novels printed as one edition in a co-publishing venture between Subterranean Press and Hard Case Crime in 2012.
Published here for the first time in half a century—and the first time ever under the author’s real name—"Strange Embrace" is one of MWA Grand Master Lawrence Block’s earliest detective novels, presented in the classic Ace Doubles format with new cover art by the legendary Robert McGinnis. It’s two times the Block, and for fans of his whodunits who want to see where it all began.
"Strange Embrace"
They say the show must go on—but in the case of Broadway’s next sensation, A Touch of Squalor, someone’s out to make sure the show never opens. And when threats don’t do the trick, a straight razor to the throat just might.
It’s a case for the NYPD…but with a mysterious killer targeting his cast, producer Johnny Lane can’t just wait in the wings. There’s a Playbill full of suspects, giving Johnny the casting challenge of his career: who to put in the role of murderer, when the wrong call could bring down the curtain on his show.
"Strange Embrace" (1962), originally published under another Block pseudonym, Ben Christopher.
"69 Barrow Street"
Greenwich Village: home to every form of depravity and perversion known to man…or woman.
It’s on the streets of the Village that Ralph met Stella—but what started as a love affair between a painter and his seductive muse has become torment as he’s found himself drawn into her world of cruel pleasures. It is a tinderbox of hatred and desire—and when beautiful Susan Rivers moves into their apartment building, tempting Ralph and Stella both, it’s set to ignite.
From dim waterfront bars to the movie houses of Times Square, from nights in rat-trap hotel rooms to drug-fueled orgies in ground-floor apartments, no one can bring 1960s New York to life like Edgar Award winner Lawrence Block. And in this early tale of psychological suspense—unavailable for fifty years and never before published under his real name—readers will discover a harrowing portrait of men and women pushed to their limits and beyond. Presented in the classic Ace Doubles format, with new cover art by the legendary Robert McGinnis, it’s a double shot of darkness as only Lawrence Block can deliver it.
"69 Barrow Street" was originally published in 1961 under the name Sheldon Lord.
Published here for the first time in half a century—and the first time ever under the author’s real name—"Strange Embrace" is one of MWA Grand Master Lawrence Block’s earliest detective novels, presented in the classic Ace Doubles format with new cover art by the legendary Robert McGinnis. It’s two times the Block, and for fans of his whodunits who want to see where it all began.
"Strange Embrace"
They say the show must go on—but in the case of Broadway’s next sensation, A Touch of Squalor, someone’s out to make sure the show never opens. And when threats don’t do the trick, a straight razor to the throat just might.
It’s a case for the NYPD…but with a mysterious killer targeting his cast, producer Johnny Lane can’t just wait in the wings. There’s a Playbill full of suspects, giving Johnny the casting challenge of his career: who to put in the role of murderer, when the wrong call could bring down the curtain on his show.
"Strange Embrace" (1962), originally published under another Block pseudonym, Ben Christopher.
"69 Barrow Street"
Greenwich Village: home to every form of depravity and perversion known to man…or woman.
It’s on the streets of the Village that Ralph met Stella—but what started as a love affair between a painter and his seductive muse has become torment as he’s found himself drawn into her world of cruel pleasures. It is a tinderbox of hatred and desire—and when beautiful Susan Rivers moves into their apartment building, tempting Ralph and Stella both, it’s set to ignite.
From dim waterfront bars to the movie houses of Times Square, from nights in rat-trap hotel rooms to drug-fueled orgies in ground-floor apartments, no one can bring 1960s New York to life like Edgar Award winner Lawrence Block. And in this early tale of psychological suspense—unavailable for fifty years and never before published under his real name—readers will discover a harrowing portrait of men and women pushed to their limits and beyond. Presented in the classic Ace Doubles format, with new cover art by the legendary Robert McGinnis, it’s a double shot of darkness as only Lawrence Block can deliver it.
"69 Barrow Street" was originally published in 1961 under the name Sheldon Lord.
May 11, 2022
This month’s Hard Case Crime was the hardest of the original releases to locate. A Lawrence Block twofer. Sadly, like most of Block’s early works, one only gets a glimpse of what a talented writer he would become…
69 Barrow Street is an erotic noir-ish paean to 1960s Greenwich Village. Block had a history early in his career of writing cheap erotic books but because he’s Lawrence Block, they came out better than his contemporaries. Still, while this one has its merits, it’s the sort of lipstick lesbian/Hero Penis/mammary obsessed tragedy that would be an interesting story with a better writer (like, say, Lawrence Block would become 15 years after this was published).
Strange Embrace is an entertaining little mystery tale in which the killer is very obvious, even for someone like me. I wish someone would adopt the Johnny Midnight presence for a new tv show. Hell everything’s an IP nowadays; maybe I just have to wait a few years.
69 Barrow Street is an erotic noir-ish paean to 1960s Greenwich Village. Block had a history early in his career of writing cheap erotic books but because he’s Lawrence Block, they came out better than his contemporaries. Still, while this one has its merits, it’s the sort of lipstick lesbian/Hero Penis/mammary obsessed tragedy that would be an interesting story with a better writer (like, say, Lawrence Block would become 15 years after this was published).
Strange Embrace is an entertaining little mystery tale in which the killer is very obvious, even for someone like me. I wish someone would adopt the Johnny Midnight presence for a new tv show. Hell everything’s an IP nowadays; maybe I just have to wait a few years.
Read
June 19, 2023Hard case crime number 69 finished. We seem to have jumped from HCC 66 to 69. I know the publisher changed and the numbers reset to 100 but I don’t know where 67 and 68 went? This is a double feature (which HCC have done twice before) two books in one volume. The first novel #strangeembrace by #lawrenceblock originally published in 1962.
A fun little mystery featuring a murdered stage actress and the producer of the play determined to find the killer. Short. Tough guys. Noir. Plenty of sex. Some minor social commentary. What’s not to like. Plus I managed to workout whodunnit about halfway through so that pleased me as I rarely get that right. Fascinating afterword from the author discussing the background and publication history of the book.
The second novel #69barrowstreet was originally published in 1961. Starts as a swinging sixties sex novel featuring an artist suffering from “writers block”, his nymphomaniac bisexual girlfriend that likes to host orgies and a lesbian that just moved in upstairs. This is one of his early infamous erotic novels. It’s described as a psychological suspense novel. It kept me engaged and it was a quick read and never dull. That ending was equally happy and brutal. Plus two great covers from #robertmcginnis
#sheldonlord #benchristopher
A fun little mystery featuring a murdered stage actress and the producer of the play determined to find the killer. Short. Tough guys. Noir. Plenty of sex. Some minor social commentary. What’s not to like. Plus I managed to workout whodunnit about halfway through so that pleased me as I rarely get that right. Fascinating afterword from the author discussing the background and publication history of the book.
The second novel #69barrowstreet was originally published in 1961. Starts as a swinging sixties sex novel featuring an artist suffering from “writers block”, his nymphomaniac bisexual girlfriend that likes to host orgies and a lesbian that just moved in upstairs. This is one of his early infamous erotic novels. It’s described as a psychological suspense novel. It kept me engaged and it was a quick read and never dull. That ending was equally happy and brutal. Plus two great covers from #robertmcginnis
#sheldonlord #benchristopher
August 23, 2012
I’ve seen several reviews for books in the Hard Case series (thank you Dan), but “69 Barrow Street” was the first I have read. It’s the first half of an upside-down double feature with “Strange Embrace”. Both were written in the early Sixties by Lawrence Block. I can;t say he's at his best, but he's certainly got talent and energy going for him (and more than a little sex, too). For those with a historical bent, there is a new afterword by Block for each of them.
69 Barrow Street
“69 Barrow Street” is a rough and tumble story about a handful of flawed characters. For one reason or another each comes to live in this one building where the majority of the story takes place. Set in Greenwich Village, the story revels in the free love, drugs, and passions that it was famous for. Most of the characters drop further into their own weaknesses and needs, but in the middle of this there is a fragile boy-meets-girl narrative.
In keeping both with the goals of the publisher and the lurid cover, this is no simple love story. No it is caught up in the cruelty and depravity of the other central character that tries to and (for the longest while) succeeds in dominating all of them. There is some mystery here; we root for the lovers-to-be all the while fearing the likely outcome.
The ending has a bit of a nice twist even thought the comeuppance is anticipated. If you like the occasional dose of raw emotion and hard-hitting action, this is an excellent example of a flavor of pulp fiction. (I’m doing my damnedest to not give anything away.) I give it a three (“3“) mostly on bravado and boldness. A Hard Case story doesn’t need much else, anyway.
I know Block from one of his earlier series (“The Burglar who…”), not the widely followed Matthew Scudder books (maybe someday). In these later, tamer books (written under his name, not a pseudonym) there are echoes of this book, but just a trace here and there. I found the afterword to be interesting: in it we learn that Block lived on Barrow Street and that Number 69 doesn’t exist (I must be losing it… I completely overlooked the obviousness of “69”) and how and why this book was written. It’s good that it has not disappeared forever.
Strange Embrace
“Strange Embrace” is the flip-side of “69 Barrow Street” as published in the Hard Case crime series. In the author’s afterward we learn that it originally sprang from a book tie-in to a one-season detective series (circa 1960). From the description of the TV show I don’t think I would have been a fan, but I have to say that the characters as written were actually interesting. I think there might have been enough good material to develop a series from it.
Although written for similar reasons and in a similar way I think that “Strange Embrace” is the better of the two. It is more of a “mainstream” mystery novel (although calling it mainstream is a very long stretch) and I suspect it would have been more acceptable to a wider audience. “69 Barrow Street” offers more in raw energy and shock value and is much more mercurial, but “Strange Embrace” also pushes some of the same boundaries.
I think that this book has better, more consistent pacing, also. They story moves along with a natural rhythm that keeps perfect time with the characters and the plot. But, like the other this is no perfect work of literature.
There are plenty of stereotypical characters walking in its pages; the hard-boiled Lt. who is a friend to the protagonist (think Peter Gunn and Lt. Jacobi), aging leading man and lothario, maturing sex kitten who is always “on”, young and unblemished ingénue getting her big break, and so on.
The plot borders on (heck, it wanders over and sits a spell in) the obvious in several places. The identity of the killer is clear long before the end and even the essential twist that explains their motive is not very opaque.
But I liked the book. I liked the style and story and pacing. I know it’s a “Hard Case” but it seems like light summer fiction to me. Take out the manner of the killings and a couple of other violent passages and it’s just a playful little tale of human greed and misery. (Guess I’m officially “jaded”, now.) Another strong “3.0”.
69 Barrow Street
“69 Barrow Street” is a rough and tumble story about a handful of flawed characters. For one reason or another each comes to live in this one building where the majority of the story takes place. Set in Greenwich Village, the story revels in the free love, drugs, and passions that it was famous for. Most of the characters drop further into their own weaknesses and needs, but in the middle of this there is a fragile boy-meets-girl narrative.
In keeping both with the goals of the publisher and the lurid cover, this is no simple love story. No it is caught up in the cruelty and depravity of the other central character that tries to and (for the longest while) succeeds in dominating all of them. There is some mystery here; we root for the lovers-to-be all the while fearing the likely outcome.
The ending has a bit of a nice twist even thought the comeuppance is anticipated. If you like the occasional dose of raw emotion and hard-hitting action, this is an excellent example of a flavor of pulp fiction. (I’m doing my damnedest to not give anything away.) I give it a three (“3“) mostly on bravado and boldness. A Hard Case story doesn’t need much else, anyway.
I know Block from one of his earlier series (“The Burglar who…”), not the widely followed Matthew Scudder books (maybe someday). In these later, tamer books (written under his name, not a pseudonym) there are echoes of this book, but just a trace here and there. I found the afterword to be interesting: in it we learn that Block lived on Barrow Street and that Number 69 doesn’t exist (I must be losing it… I completely overlooked the obviousness of “69”) and how and why this book was written. It’s good that it has not disappeared forever.
Strange Embrace
“Strange Embrace” is the flip-side of “69 Barrow Street” as published in the Hard Case crime series. In the author’s afterward we learn that it originally sprang from a book tie-in to a one-season detective series (circa 1960). From the description of the TV show I don’t think I would have been a fan, but I have to say that the characters as written were actually interesting. I think there might have been enough good material to develop a series from it.
Although written for similar reasons and in a similar way I think that “Strange Embrace” is the better of the two. It is more of a “mainstream” mystery novel (although calling it mainstream is a very long stretch) and I suspect it would have been more acceptable to a wider audience. “69 Barrow Street” offers more in raw energy and shock value and is much more mercurial, but “Strange Embrace” also pushes some of the same boundaries.
I think that this book has better, more consistent pacing, also. They story moves along with a natural rhythm that keeps perfect time with the characters and the plot. But, like the other this is no perfect work of literature.
There are plenty of stereotypical characters walking in its pages; the hard-boiled Lt. who is a friend to the protagonist (think Peter Gunn and Lt. Jacobi), aging leading man and lothario, maturing sex kitten who is always “on”, young and unblemished ingénue getting her big break, and so on.
The plot borders on (heck, it wanders over and sits a spell in) the obvious in several places. The identity of the killer is clear long before the end and even the essential twist that explains their motive is not very opaque.
But I liked the book. I liked the style and story and pacing. I know it’s a “Hard Case” but it seems like light summer fiction to me. Take out the manner of the killings and a couple of other violent passages and it’s just a playful little tale of human greed and misery. (Guess I’m officially “jaded”, now.) Another strong “3.0”.
February 8, 2018
Two sex thrillers by a young Lawrence Block. They're both sort of fun and trashy but nothing too crazy innovative plot-wise. Still, they're fun, quick books with some fun turns. Strange Embrace's outcome I had seen a mile ahead. 69 Barrow Street I was less sure of as I read it, so, even though it's less mysterious than the other novel, it's still a little more fulfilling (it also has a far grizzlier murder than one might expect halfway through). So, yeah, good, fun stuff.
April 25, 2014
69 BARROW STREET
Reminiscent of an OrrieHitt pulp, 69 BARROW STREET embodies all that is the Village in an age of sexual experimentation and provocation. The hipsters and free spirits mingle with the dominants and the dominated in an orgy of self-loving/loathing as the lead characters embark on a journey to self-discovery.
Be it bloody and/or beautiful, author Lawrence Block’s 69 BARROW STREET is much more than a smutty sleaze pulp but one of unexpected sins and sensibility.
Read the full review of 69 BARROW STREET here: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
STRANGE EMBRACE
STRANGE EMBRACE is pure pulp, rather than the sleaze pulp/soft-core erotica I had anticipated (by virtue of the cover painting) and is more derived from the classic yet contained whodunit formulaic laden fiction of the genre.
Written in 1961 (this edition first publicised by Hardcase Crime under the authors actual name) STRANGE EMBRACE ages well. The characters are typecast, the mystery omnipresent, and a touch of humour (notably between the producer and investigating officer) compliments proceedings as the nature of the murder and whispering threat of violence unravels.
Read the full review of STRANGE EMBRACE here: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
Reminiscent of an OrrieHitt pulp, 69 BARROW STREET embodies all that is the Village in an age of sexual experimentation and provocation. The hipsters and free spirits mingle with the dominants and the dominated in an orgy of self-loving/loathing as the lead characters embark on a journey to self-discovery.
Be it bloody and/or beautiful, author Lawrence Block’s 69 BARROW STREET is much more than a smutty sleaze pulp but one of unexpected sins and sensibility.
Read the full review of 69 BARROW STREET here: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
STRANGE EMBRACE
STRANGE EMBRACE is pure pulp, rather than the sleaze pulp/soft-core erotica I had anticipated (by virtue of the cover painting) and is more derived from the classic yet contained whodunit formulaic laden fiction of the genre.
Written in 1961 (this edition first publicised by Hardcase Crime under the authors actual name) STRANGE EMBRACE ages well. The characters are typecast, the mystery omnipresent, and a touch of humour (notably between the producer and investigating officer) compliments proceedings as the nature of the murder and whispering threat of violence unravels.
Read the full review of STRANGE EMBRACE here: http://justaguythatlikes2read.blogspo...
May 18, 2017
69 Barrow Street is A 1962 Midwood paperback by Block's early pen name Sheldon Lord and is guaranteed to be pulpy, sexy, possibly raunchy. This book is about Greenwich Village in the early sixties, described as being the former
location of many artists and writers, but now filled with junkies, homosexuals, perverts, and the dregs of society.
Strange Embrace is a 1962 novel by Lawrence Block, originally published under a pseudonym, Ben Christopher. Block explains that it was published by Beacon and Beacon was a particularly chessy
publishing house of softcore stuff so no one put their real names on Beacon books at that time.It was originally intended as a tie-in to a tv series, Johnny Midnight, starring Edmund O'Brien as a theatrical
producer with a wisecracking Japanese butler, Ito. The series ran for a
full season of 39 episodes, but was then not renewed. With the name of the title character changed to Johnny Lane, the book was off and running. Although it is packaged by Hard Case Crime with
69 Barrow Street, Strange Embrace is the better of the two novels and the more complete novel. What the two works have in common is a connection to the East Village of Manhattan in 1962 where the hippies, beatniks, and other purveyors of alternative lifestyles gathered and
engaged in drugs, orgies, and other behavior, sometimes violence like
murder, at least in novels portraying the alternative generation. But, the connection between the two novels doesn't go much further than that. Unlike 69 Barrow Street, Strange Embrace is a solid pulp
whodunit mystery novel that is focused more so on the mystery of who
is doing the killings than on the East Village itself.
location of many artists and writers, but now filled with junkies, homosexuals, perverts, and the dregs of society.
Strange Embrace is a 1962 novel by Lawrence Block, originally published under a pseudonym, Ben Christopher. Block explains that it was published by Beacon and Beacon was a particularly chessy
publishing house of softcore stuff so no one put their real names on Beacon books at that time.It was originally intended as a tie-in to a tv series, Johnny Midnight, starring Edmund O'Brien as a theatrical
producer with a wisecracking Japanese butler, Ito. The series ran for a
full season of 39 episodes, but was then not renewed. With the name of the title character changed to Johnny Lane, the book was off and running. Although it is packaged by Hard Case Crime with
69 Barrow Street, Strange Embrace is the better of the two novels and the more complete novel. What the two works have in common is a connection to the East Village of Manhattan in 1962 where the hippies, beatniks, and other purveyors of alternative lifestyles gathered and
engaged in drugs, orgies, and other behavior, sometimes violence like
murder, at least in novels portraying the alternative generation. But, the connection between the two novels doesn't go much further than that. Unlike 69 Barrow Street, Strange Embrace is a solid pulp
whodunit mystery novel that is focused more so on the mystery of who
is doing the killings than on the East Village itself.
June 12, 2022
Early on this had a good feel to it but ultimately it kind of felt flat. Maybe not flat maybe dated that's the word dated it felt dated. not as entertaining as I wanted.
October 5, 2023
Pure garbage! This is no the Lawrence Block I have enjoyed reading for many years. Why did he decide to become a writer of porn?
February 17, 2013
It's probably important to start things off by noting that these books were written over 50 years ago. As such these serve to show just how far we have come. Expecting these books to hold modern attitudes would be foolish and a quick path towards disappointment and disgust.
Strange Embrace:
This is a pretty standard murder mystery. I normally have some trouble figuring out whodunit before the book drops the big reveal, but I got this one rather quickly. Still. The journey was enjoyable.
69 Barrow Street:
This was my favorite of the two novels. It also managed to disturb me. It isn't so much a crime story as it is a story of deviance and self-discovery. This easily could have devolved into pure exploitation, but Lawrence Block is a skilled enough writer that nothing ever really feels unnecessary. He may take things one step further than needed but as I was reading it all seemed perfectly natural.
Strange Embrace:
This is a pretty standard murder mystery. I normally have some trouble figuring out whodunit before the book drops the big reveal, but I got this one rather quickly. Still. The journey was enjoyable.
69 Barrow Street:
This was my favorite of the two novels. It also managed to disturb me. It isn't so much a crime story as it is a story of deviance and self-discovery. This easily could have devolved into pure exploitation, but Lawrence Block is a skilled enough writer that nothing ever really feels unnecessary. He may take things one step further than needed but as I was reading it all seemed perfectly natural.
July 7, 2016
I was really excited to find this book. A 1960s' book published for the first time under Block's own name 50 years after it was written. My, haven't we come a long way? I usually prefer female authors but thought the writing may be like Armistead Maupin's. I found the book too raw, too blokey. I gave up early in the piece, therefore my rating is quite subjective based on my own experience. It was one of those upside down front and back cover books that held two different stories. The cover pictures are a little risque even by today's standards (I think we live in a more conservative world) and after taking it to work to read at lunchtime, I suddenly realised the image could be considered inappropriate in a sexual discriminatory respectful workplace kind of way! Brown cover next time.
September 29, 2016
Pretty neat design, 2 books separate covers and you have to rotate the book 180 degrees to read the other book. Goes back to the old dime store novels of the 50's.
I liked the 69 Barrow Street side. Interesting concept for the time (mid 60's) that some people are just plain evil.
I found the Strange Embrace just too formulaic and the characters too wooden. Very Early Block, like college age.
I liked the 69 Barrow Street side. Interesting concept for the time (mid 60's) that some people are just plain evil.
I found the Strange Embrace just too formulaic and the characters too wooden. Very Early Block, like college age.
August 31, 2012
The afterwards were almost as interesting as the books themselves.
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