Subject
Gangsters -- Fiction Books
Best books
Ralph Sholto
"And That's How It Was, Officer"
"And That's How It Was, Officer" by Ralph Sholto is a comedic crime fiction novel set in the mid-20th century. The story unfolds through a letter from Homer Nicholas, who is addressing the perplexed Chief of Police, David Nixon, about a series of bizarre events involving gangsters disappearing in Morton City after his wedding reception. The narrative delves into themes of family relations, social status, and unique scientific experiments, with humor intertwined throughout the plot. The plot centers around Homer and his bride, Joy, who unwittingly find themselves embroiled in a dangerous situation involving Homer's eccentric Uncle Peter, a scientist with a penchant for unorthodox experiments. After the wedding, gangsters crash the reception, leading to a chaotic series of events fueled by Uncle Peter's mysterious serum that disintegrates people in a dramatic fashion. As Homer and Joy chase down various leads to understand what is happening, they navigate a world of colorful characters, from Bag Ears Mulligan, Homer's loyal but slightly confused friend, to criminal masterminds like Hands McCaffery. The narrative culminates in a hilarious yet suspenseful revelation about Uncle Peter's true intentions and the bizarre scientific method behind the chaos, ultimately blending elements of humor, crime, and familial loyalty.
Murray Leinster
The Ambulance Made Two Trips
"The Ambulance Made Two Trips" by Murray Leinster is a science fiction short story written in the early 1960s. The narrative follows Detective Sergeant Fitzgerald as he navigates the underbelly of crime in a town plagued by the nefarious activities of racketeer Big Jake Connors. The story delves into themes of corruption, ethics in law enforcement, and the extraordinary concepts of psionics and probability manipulation. In the plot, Detective Fitzgerald finds himself embroiled in a situation where violent intentions go awry, thanks to a psi unit utilized by a man named Brink, who seeks to thwart Big Jake's threats against his business. As Fitzgerald investigates odd occurrences surrounding Big Jake's schemes, he discovers that those intending harm find their plans thwarted, leading to mishaps instead of violent outcomes—such as pants catching fire or perpetrators crashing their cars. The story concludes with Fitzgerald and Brink confronting Big Jake and his thugs, highlighting how the unexpected consequences of esoteric forces can alter destiny. The intertwining of crime and speculative sci-fi elements creates a unique narrative exploring the implications of powerlessness against corrupt influences.
P. G. (Pelham Grenville) Wodehouse
Sam in the Suburbs
"Sam in the Suburbs" by P. G. Wodehouse is a novel published in 1925. Sam Shotter arrives in England disheveled and penniless, only to discover that the woman from a mysterious photograph he's fallen in love with lives next door to his new house. As Sam pursues romance while working for the demanding Lord Tilbury, a trio of criminals scheme to recover a fortune hidden somewhere in his home—stolen bonds from a notorious bank robbery.
Edgar Rice Burroughs
The Efficiency Expert
"The Efficiency Expert" by Edgar Rice Burroughs is a novella written in 1919 and published in 1921. Jimmy Torrance, a celebrated college athlete, rejects his father's business offer to prove himself independently in Chicago. Struggling through numerous failed jobs, he befriends a pickpocket and eventually becomes an efficiency expert at a factory. There he uncovers embezzlement, meets a young woman named Elizabeth, and becomes entangled in a web of crime that leads to murder and false accusations.
Jim Harmon
The Expendables
"The Expendables" by Jim Harmon is a science fiction story written in the early 1960s. This narrative revolves around a peculiar invention designed for waste disposal, but the premise is subverted when the implications of its use extend into the criminal realm. The plot delves into the moral and ethical dilemmas that arise from the ability to make objects, including bodies, cease to exist, highlighting the consequences of tampering with the laws of physics and reality. The story follows Professor Venetti, who becomes embroiled in a shady deal with mobster Tony Carmen. As Venetti struggles with his conscience over the practical applications of his invention, which is intended to neutralize radioactive waste, Carmen insists on using it for disposing of bodies. When it becomes clear that the device can eliminate matter entirely, the plot thickens as they grapple with the unforeseen repercussions of wielding such power. Eventually, both characters face the chaos unleashed by their tampering with the fabric of existence, leading to tensions around the boundaries of legality and morality in their respective worlds. Venetti's invention poses both a solution and a threat, raising questions about human responsibility when dealing with technology that defies natural laws.
Robert E. Gilbert
Outside Saturn
"Outside Saturn" by Robert E. Gilbert is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story unfolds in a futuristic setting where space travel and the exploration of Saturn’s rings take center stage. The narrative explores themes of survival, morality, and the human condition when faced with danger in the vastness of space. The plot follows the character Henry, who initially finds himself in a perilous situation when his reckless companions abandon him in space. Rescued by Ranjit, an elderly ice-sweeper operator who has been maintaining a station in the Rings of Saturn, Henry learns about the complexities of their environment and the challenges of survival. The arrival of Joachim and Morna, representatives of the Society for the Preservation of the Rings of Saturn, introduces a strong conflict over the ethical implications of extracting resources from the rings. As tension escalates with the illicit arrival of gangsters Vicenzo and Aziz, the narrative culminates in a battle for survival and integrity where Henry must navigate loyalties, his past decisions, and ultimately seek redemption for his actions. The novel delves into the repercussions of greed and the importance of self-sacrifice amidst extraordinary circumstances.
Sylvia Jacobs
Time Payment
"Time Payment" by Sylvia Jacobs is a science fiction short story likely written in the early 1960s. The narrative revolves around time travel and its implications on memory and consciousness, exploring the themes of redemption and transformation. The plot centers on Slick Tennant, a gangster who plans to escape law enforcement by using a time-travel machine created by Dr. Richard Porter. The story unfolds as Slick Tennant, desperate to evade capture, kidnaps Dr. Porter and his son, Dickie, to force Porter to use his Metachronoscope, a device that allows users to experience a compressed version of the future. Slick opts for a twenty-year leap into the future, believing he can start anew. However, the tale takes a poignant turn as Slick emerges into a vastly changed world, grappling with the consequences of his past while experiencing genuine emotions for the first time. Ultimately, he finds a connection with Dickie Porter, hinting at redemption and personal growth despite his earlier criminal life. The narrative concludes with Slick's passing, suggesting a reflective commentary on human experience and the possibility of change, serving as a philosophical exploration of identity and time.
David H. (David Henry) Keller
The Rat Racket
"The Rat Racket" by David H. Keller, M.D. is a thrilling story that falls within the realm of crime fiction, likely written in the early 20th century. The plot centers around the alarming rise of racketeering through a bizarre and destructive method involving rats, threatening various businesses in a bustling metropolis. With Keller's clever narrative, the book explores themes of corruption, fear, and the unexpected consequences of a criminal underworld. The storyline unfolds through the experiences of Richard Moyer and Paul Perkins, owners of a grocery business besieged by a racketeering gang demanding payment for "protection" from rats. As the menace grows, they find themselves ensnared in a web of fear and financial extortion, leading to devastating consequences for their city and its citizens. The arrival of the enigmatic Winifred Willowby offers a glimmer of hope, as he devises a plan to combat the rat-induced havoc. However, the plan's execution leads to an unexpected and chaotic culmination at a gathering of gangsters, resulting in a dramatic turn of events that underscores the story's chilling warning about the depths of human greed and the perils of underestimating one’s adversaries.
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