John K. Butler (1908–1964)

Unlike Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, John K. Butler never became a household name or even penned a full-length novel. But he was one of the best of the second-tier writers whose stories appeared in the private eye pulps, and this collection is the ideal introduction to Butler's work. Sure, the premise is corny (Steve Midnight, former playboy whose family's wealth was lost in the Depression, now toils as a Los Angeles cab driver - and, unofficially, a detective), but it belies the show more author's ability to create deadly-serious moments of dramatic tension. By the time he wrote "The Saint in Silver," the final tale in this collection, Butler was producing minor masterpieces. His style was reminiscent of Chandler's in that Steve Midnight is always finding dead bodies and getting sapped, and has usually taken quite a beating by the end of a case. In "The Saint in Silver," there's a further echo of Chandler in Midnight's encounter with an elderly character (the title character, in fact) whose mingled pathos and wisdom elevate the story above your standard detective action fare.

Includes fascinating biographical info on Butler in addition to the first four Steve Midnight tales, which appeared in Dime Detective from May 1940 through January 1941. They're novelette-length (running 50-65 pages apiece), and each is a standalone story. Butler had more than sufficient chops to write a novel; it's too bad that he opted for a screenwriting career. show less