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Solar Pons #14
The Recollections of Solar Pons
"The Adventure of the Cursed Curator"
"The Adventure of the Hound of Hell"
"The Adventure of the Mad Millionaire"
"The Adventure of the Singular Sandwich" [Alternate Version]
"The Adventure of the Hound of Hell"
"The Adventure of the Mad Millionaire"
"The Adventure of the Singular Sandwich" [Alternate Version]
248 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1995
7 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Basil Copper
185 books41 followersBasil Copper was an English writer and former journalist and newspaper editor. He has written over 50 books and scripts. In addition to fantasy and horror, Copper is known for his series of Solar Pons stories continuing the character created by August Derleth.
Copper edited a 1982 two-volume omnibus collection of Derleth's stories of the 'Pontine' canon, published by Arkham House, a publishing firm founded by Derleth himself and chiefly publishing weird fiction (such as Cthulhu Mythos tales); in that edition, Copper "edited" most of the tales in ways that many Pontine aficionados found objectionable[citation needed]. A later omnibus, The Original Text Solar Pons Omnibus Edition, was issued in 2000 under the imprint of Mycroft & Moran (a name which is itself a Holmesian jest).
He also wrote the long-running hard-boiled detective stories of "Mike Faraday" (58 novels from 1966 to 1988).
Copper has received many honours in recent years. In 1979, the Mark Twain Society of America elected him a Knight of Mark Twain for his outstanding "contribution to modern fiction", while the Praed Street Irregulars have twice honoured him for his work on the Solar Pons series. He has been a member of the Crime Writer's Association for over thirty years, serving as chairman in 1981/82 and on its committee for a total of seven years.
In early 2008, a bio-bibliography was published on him: Basil Copper: A Life in Books, compiled and edited by Stephen Jones.
In March 2010, Darkness, Mist and Shadow: The Collected Macabre Tales of Basil Copper was launched at the Brighton World Horror Convention as a two-volume set by PS Publishing.
Copper edited a 1982 two-volume omnibus collection of Derleth's stories of the 'Pontine' canon, published by Arkham House, a publishing firm founded by Derleth himself and chiefly publishing weird fiction (such as Cthulhu Mythos tales); in that edition, Copper "edited" most of the tales in ways that many Pontine aficionados found objectionable[citation needed]. A later omnibus, The Original Text Solar Pons Omnibus Edition, was issued in 2000 under the imprint of Mycroft & Moran (a name which is itself a Holmesian jest).
He also wrote the long-running hard-boiled detective stories of "Mike Faraday" (58 novels from 1966 to 1988).
Copper has received many honours in recent years. In 1979, the Mark Twain Society of America elected him a Knight of Mark Twain for his outstanding "contribution to modern fiction", while the Praed Street Irregulars have twice honoured him for his work on the Solar Pons series. He has been a member of the Crime Writer's Association for over thirty years, serving as chairman in 1981/82 and on its committee for a total of seven years.
In early 2008, a bio-bibliography was published on him: Basil Copper: A Life in Books, compiled and edited by Stephen Jones.
In March 2010, Darkness, Mist and Shadow: The Collected Macabre Tales of Basil Copper was launched at the Brighton World Horror Convention as a two-volume set by PS Publishing.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 31, 2018
A new release of classic Pons tales!
Solar Pons of 7B Praed Street, London was created by August Derleth. He was often called “The Sherlock Holmes of Praed Street. There was a connection between Holmes and Pons, with the latter calling the former “The Master.”
Basil Cooper continued the stories after Derleth’s death. The stories in this edition are entirely written by Cooper. There are three extended short stories in this book and the reprint of “The Adventure of the Devil’s Claw” a novel.
Opening the book is the story “The Adventure of the Cursed Curator.” The curator in question is Horatio Biggs of the Egyptian Museum in London. The museum has artifacts on loan from the Cairo Museum in Egypt. Problems began with the breaking of minor pottery, for which the Curator was required to pay. A porter was murdered. And now the Curator swears he has seen a walking mummy!
The next story is “The Adventure of the Hound of Hell.” A young woman asks help for her fiancé. He has been accused of murder and theft. A piece of art depicting a hellhound is a family heirloom. It is found in the unfortunate young man’s rooms…
The third story is “The Adventure of the Mad Millionaire.” The story is introduced to Pons by Dr. Parker’s friend Colonel Mortimer. The Colonel has a very wealthy friend that has apparently gone stark raving mad!
The final tale is the novel, “The Adventure of the Devil’s Claw.” I was very much gratified to find the novel included in this book because I missed it when it first came out. The original novel has now grown beyond my ability to purchase.
Pons and Parker are investigating a case for Hugh Mulvane of Chalcroft Manor. His uncle has been murdered and strange tracks were found at the scene. The tracks are mentioned in a singular legend of The Devil’s Claw.
Fortunately, this time Pons is working with an inspector who freely gives Pons his full cooperation. The case is very tangled and the shadow of death hovers over the household. Pons must untangle the whole mess before someone else joins the ranks of the dead…
Pons has always been a favorite of mine. The latest volumes edited by Stephen Jones will give a new reader the introduction they need; the diehard fans will not be disappointed! Stephen Jones chose well the stories in each volume! My hat is off to you, Stephen Jones! Encore!
I give this book five stars plus for allowing me the pleasure of at last reading “The Adventure of the Devil’s Claw!”
Quoth the Raven…
Solar Pons of 7B Praed Street, London was created by August Derleth. He was often called “The Sherlock Holmes of Praed Street. There was a connection between Holmes and Pons, with the latter calling the former “The Master.”
Basil Cooper continued the stories after Derleth’s death. The stories in this edition are entirely written by Cooper. There are three extended short stories in this book and the reprint of “The Adventure of the Devil’s Claw” a novel.
Opening the book is the story “The Adventure of the Cursed Curator.” The curator in question is Horatio Biggs of the Egyptian Museum in London. The museum has artifacts on loan from the Cairo Museum in Egypt. Problems began with the breaking of minor pottery, for which the Curator was required to pay. A porter was murdered. And now the Curator swears he has seen a walking mummy!
The next story is “The Adventure of the Hound of Hell.” A young woman asks help for her fiancé. He has been accused of murder and theft. A piece of art depicting a hellhound is a family heirloom. It is found in the unfortunate young man’s rooms…
The third story is “The Adventure of the Mad Millionaire.” The story is introduced to Pons by Dr. Parker’s friend Colonel Mortimer. The Colonel has a very wealthy friend that has apparently gone stark raving mad!
The final tale is the novel, “The Adventure of the Devil’s Claw.” I was very much gratified to find the novel included in this book because I missed it when it first came out. The original novel has now grown beyond my ability to purchase.
Pons and Parker are investigating a case for Hugh Mulvane of Chalcroft Manor. His uncle has been murdered and strange tracks were found at the scene. The tracks are mentioned in a singular legend of The Devil’s Claw.
Fortunately, this time Pons is working with an inspector who freely gives Pons his full cooperation. The case is very tangled and the shadow of death hovers over the household. Pons must untangle the whole mess before someone else joins the ranks of the dead…
Pons has always been a favorite of mine. The latest volumes edited by Stephen Jones will give a new reader the introduction they need; the diehard fans will not be disappointed! Stephen Jones chose well the stories in each volume! My hat is off to you, Stephen Jones! Encore!
I give this book five stars plus for allowing me the pleasure of at last reading “The Adventure of the Devil’s Claw!”
Quoth the Raven…
Displaying 1 of 1 review