Nicks` Cabinet of Curios

David Stuart Davies - The Darke Chronicles Yorkshire man David Stuart Davies is, as you my know, a noted author, editor and playwright, a noted Sherlockian a member of The Detection Club, The Crime Writers` Association etc.  When I began reading this collection I was initially unsure if I would relate to the character of Luther Darke.  Needn`t have worried as in fact I thoroughly enjoyed the stories. In an interesting twist, Darkes` `Watson`, is a professional detective, Inspector Thornton, whereas Darke is a kind of `not-Holmes`. He sums up their relationship in the first story ;  "Ah, we see the world from different hilltops, you and I, Edward. You are the professional, scientific detective with a demand for rationality and feasibility ; whereas I am the amateur, an artist, doomed to view things from a different angle and able to see shifting and often unusual perspectives. We are two halves of the perfect whole." Whether he is quite as `not-Holmes` as...

Another dip into the record box, and today we look at two labels with similar names.  The top picture shows a UK issue on Earth International, a label run by Pat Rhoden, Les Foster and Denzil Dennis. This was apparently at the same time that Pat Rhoden was involved with Jama and related labels.  The lower picture shows a JA release on Roots International, one of a number of labels run by B B Seaton.  At one time I understand he and the late Renford Cogle ran a label named Links which released (among others) It Comes and Goes by The Melodians  B B Seaton currently releases his vintage productions on the London-based Soul Beat records (his son Richard releases Hip-Hop music in the US on a label of the same name) and runs a publishing company, Metronome Music.  He has recently written a book, 60 Years After, about his career in music. 

S John Peskett - Grim, Gruesome and Grisly - Frewin - 1974 A recent acquisition which I look forward to reading.  I know little about S John Peskett, though it is interesting to note that as Wing Commander Peskett he worked in intelligence during WWII, including a period at Bletchley Park.