Title: The Case of the Cautious Coquette
Author: Erle Stanley Gardner
Cover artist: [Robert McGinnis]
Yours for: $10-12
Best things about this cover:
- Here's the thing about McGinnis women: dead eyes. They freak me out a level at the face level. At a certain other level (Not Pictured), I find them delightful. So, in short, this cover does little for me from a Great Girl Art perspective.
- From a Holy Crap Pink perspective, it's quite arresting.
- Also, from a hair perspective.
- Also, with the exception of a small tear on the back cover, this book is in like-new condition. Shiny and crisp. The pink is a pure '50s variety rarely seen in the wilds of today.
- Also, a "Girls With Guns" cover is a "Girls With Guns Cover"—I'll take it. Check out these other covers of the same title:
[Silly]
[Whoa!!! Winner]
And now today's back cover:
Best things about this back cover:
- Tire tracks! That's a pretty damned good design element, especially as a way of introducing the idea of a "hit-and-run."
- This is the last time in U.S. history that "$100.00!!" was presented as a compelling figure.
- Della goes next-level with her wordplay banter (from metaphorical "angles" to literal "curves"). And then the cover copy brings the imagery full circle back to the tire tracks. Well done, everyone.
Page 123~
"Della, run out and scout the corridor. Let me know if it's clear."
In case you were wondering who the badass was in this little relationship.
~RP
[Follow Rex Parker on Twitter and Tumblr]
2 comments:
Out of the three, I prefer the McGinnis cover. The other easily have issues to discuss, too. The 'Psycho' moment of the third cover and the off mid-century colors and disproportionate body on the redhead make all three covers quite memorable.
But the back cover copy clearly says she's a blonde. The first two are definitely not blonde and the third – though clearly the most compelling cover – is hard to tell hair color. Not that that matters, I suppose.
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