Friday, October 9, 2015

Paperback 908: Six Seconds to Kill / Brett Halliday (Dell 8001)

Paperback 908: Dell 8001 (1st ptg, 1970)

Title: Six Seconds to Kill
Author: Brett Halliday
Cover artist: photo

Estimated value: sentimental, at best ($10?)

Dell8001
Best things about this cover:
  • This is either the story of the world's most efficient lady assassin or the story of a lady executive determined to squeeze all the joy she can out of the world's shortest helicopter layover. Pilot: "You need to be back here in six sec—" Lady: "I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!"
  • I feel sorry for the model. That can't have been an easy pose to hold. Not in those nutso clog-heels.
  • I bought this book in a vintage clothing store in Minneapolis, MN.

Dell8001bc
Best things about this back cover:
  • Ladies and gentlemen—my new business card.
  • Also, ladies and gentlemen—my new bride. (My wife will understand. She had a good run.)
  • I love this classy lady: "I will drink [yes] and fuck [you go, girl] and kill Ed Meese [of cour— ... wait, what?]"

Page 123~

Shayne set the handbrake and got out. Understanding suddenly that she was about to be taken prisoner, she scrambled for a shotgun lying on the grass. Shayne kicked it away, pulled her to her feet and thrust her into the car.
"The fight's over. You're all by yourself, as far as I know."

I like the part where he set the handbrake.

~RP

[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Tumblr]

2 comments:

Tulse said...

That Page 123 quote is kind of odd -- "You're all by yourself, as far as I know." Why tell an opponent what you know? It's like protagonist monologging: "You're all by yourself, as far as I know, without any accomplices for me to worry about, and I don't believe you have any other weapons hidden on you, or that you are sufficiently skilled in unarmed hand-to-hand combat for me to be concerned about your close physical proximity to me. To the best of my knowledge, I have succeeded in besting you in this encounter. I certainly hope I am not mistaken in some way..."

Johny Malone said...

One of the Halliday's books with political intrigue.