The Amber Effect

This was a good book. I once had a complete set of Shell Scott books, but during the years and many moves they were lost. Am in the process of trying to collect the books.

Shell Scott, the hard-nosed P.I. created by Richard S. Prather, tackled crime and solved mysteries throughout the 50s and 60s and through part of the 70s. After about a ten year absence Prather returned to the character that made him famous in a couple more novels, of which "The Amber Effect" is one. Scott finds himself involved in a case involving conspiracy and murder, that all begins when a naked woman turns up at his apartment. Nothing much has changed for Scott. He's still the same lovable big lug that he was in the earlier novels but this time Prather has provided him with a 1980s type crime to solve. Like earlier adventures, Scott is involved with a beautiful dame and there is a fair amount of leering sexism in the writing. To some degree it's anachronistic and no longer PC. This type of private investigator story belonged in the 40s and 50s. What sets the world of Shell Scott apart from his contemporaries however is the first person narrative with a tongue planted firmly in it's cheek. Shell Scott is a funny guy. Funny not just because of the predicaments he finds himself in but how he relates them to the reader. Here's a story that twists a tale about a secret scientific invention with a "Miss Naked USA" contestant. Leering sexism it may be but it's written in such a light-hearted manner that you can't help but chuckle along with Scott's observations. Prather's writing never oversteps the mark and allows the reader to coast through a breezy mystery which will bring a smile to your face more than once.

This is not really a review of this particular novel, but rather a general review of all of Richard S. Prather's novels concerning his detective, Shell Scott.What a nice surprise to find that in 1987 some of his work was still being published. I first became aware of these novels back in the early `60s, and have collected every Shell Scott novel (I think every novel--over 50 of `em). I cannot tell you how much Mr. Prather made me laugh through those 50 gems--to the point I had tears streaming from my eyes! Mr. Prather was one of the most popular detective writers of the era. He has a unique brand of writing that includes a keen sense of humor.His protagonist, Shell Scott, an ex-marine, is sort of a klutz in many ways, but is an extremely engaging character nonetheless. Prather's actions scenes are all first-rate, he has a great sense of timing, and all his characters are well drawn.Although my favorite genre is science fiction, it was Richard S. Prather who got me reading novels. And it is he, and his famous detective, that I will always have fond memories of. Thank you Mr. Prather. If you can find any of his work, do yourself a favor and pick it up.So how do I rate these novels? This is difficult, since it was so long ago. But I wouldn't hesitate to give his best novels 8 out of 10, or his worst 7 out of 10.