The Comic Book Killer

Lindsey & Plum #1

by Richard A. Lupoff

An investigation into a missing collection of valuable comic books leads Hobart Lindsey into a confrontation with a ruthless killer

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Comics, Crime

198 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

About the author

Richard Allen "Dick" Lupoff (born February 21, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American science fiction and mystery author, who has also written humor, satire, non-fiction and reviews. In addition to his two dozen novels and more than 40 short stories, he has also edited science-fantasy anthologies. He is an expert on the writing of Edgar Rice Burroughs and has an equally strong interest in H. P. Lovecraft. Before becoming a full-time writer in 1970 he worked in the computer industry.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember liking this mystery novel by Lupoff, though I've lost most of the details in the intervening years. I thought most of the characters were quite realistic and likable, because... A somewhat unsympathetic insurance investigator gets caught up in the wild and wacky world of comics fandom, a topic that Lupoff knew well and that was surely quite close to his heart. It's probably rather badly dated now, but almost surely still a lot of fun. I should pull it down for a re-read.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES YES YES
this is so cool. only mystery series i've read that takes place in my home town, i know the streets and some of the people Lupoff writes about. and v. well written.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually, it was very good, but it took a while and the main character didn't particularly have you rooting for him to start with. He was kind of a curmudgen, but then I guess it kind of goes with the job he has...insurance investigator. But then he became a sort of amateur sleuth when it became personal and he developed some hutzpah. I liked it.

[Michael Norwitz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lupoff's mystery novel, in which the theft of a number of valuable comics leads to a series of murders, is steeped in comic-book culture. It's a deeply silly book, and while not unenjoyable suffers from occasional homophobia and probably wouldn't stand up to contemporary assessment of its treatment of female characters. As added value, however, it comes with a complete (albeit very short) addendum which consists of a faux Golden Age comic, Gangsters at War, pleasantly drawn by Trina Robbins and Steve Leialoha.

[Dave H · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars, rounded down from 3.5. Enjoyable for its information re comic collecting (which I do in a small way) and notable collectible comics from the 1940s. Having been written in 1988, it's a bit dated regarding WW 2 comic values, which are 10 or more times today than what they were in the 1980s. Also, a few too many coincidences to be believable, not the least being the villain's involvement in the detective's father's death during the Korean War. Regardless, a good mystery, the author's first, with several exciting scenes, and which turned into a several-book series.

[Gribblet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the SF Bay area, which I liked. Also politically askew for this part of the world, which I liked, even though my politics and Lupoff's don't jive. Other than that, forgettable. (In fact, I've already forgotten.) I think I should stop trying to like mysteries.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast-paced and entertaining mystery.

[Frank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Remember enjoying this one when I read it in 1989.