BROWNE, Howard

The Taste of Ashes

First edition. Pages browned, as always, else near fine in a very good dustwrapper with a couple of small nicks and tears. Inscribed by the author: "For Tom and Juanita. Best always, Howard." The recipient was Thomas Wakefield Blackburn, an author of western novels, and a writer for both film and television (Sugarfoot, Maverick, The Virginian, Daniel Boone, and Davy Crocket among others). Hardboiled detective Paul Pine is called upon to save an old lady from a blackmailer. Fourth and final Paul Pine mystery written by the author using his real name (he wrote three other Pine mysteries as John Evans) and considered by many to be in a class with Raymond Chandler's later works. Very scarce signed.

[BTC #87138]