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Firebug
First Published: 1961 Publisher: Regency Books Format: Paperback |
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Summary: Reporter Philip Dempster is assigned to write a series of articles on suspected cult rackets within the city. As he carries out his investigation, he finds himself at the heart of a number of arson fires—each killing the leader of the particular cult that Philip had just been researching. As he closes in on identifying the murderous arsonist, Philip finds himself in increasing danger of becoming the firebug’s latest fiery casualty.
Bloch: “Regency was an obscure outfit which at the time employed an obscure editor named Harlan Ellison on its staff. I don't know if he was the original reader of the manuscript or the instigator of its acceptance, but I do know he called to say the book had come up around twelve hundred words short of their standard length. Interpreting my ten minutes of nonstop profanity as an indication that I was currently involved with a television deadline, he volunteered to add the necessary wordage at the beginning of the novel. I most gratefully accepted this gracious offer..."
Note: Collected in the omnibus volume, Screams (1989; along with The Will to Kill and The Star Stalker).
Bloch: “Regency was an obscure outfit which at the time employed an obscure editor named Harlan Ellison on its staff. I don't know if he was the original reader of the manuscript or the instigator of its acceptance, but I do know he called to say the book had come up around twelve hundred words short of their standard length. Interpreting my ten minutes of nonstop profanity as an indication that I was currently involved with a television deadline, he volunteered to add the necessary wordage at the beginning of the novel. I most gratefully accepted this gracious offer..."
Note: Collected in the omnibus volume, Screams (1989; along with The Will to Kill and The Star Stalker).