Concluding three years' extensive research, multiple award-winning editor and writer Stephen Jones
was given unprecedented and unrestricted access to the books and papers of renowned British macabre and crime
writer Basil Copper. The result is Basil Copper: A Life in Books, a unique and in-depth study of the author and his
works. Not only does this volume contain the most comprehensive Working Bibliography ever compiled of Basil
Copper's productive output—including Macabre and Supernatural Novels and Collections, the "Solar Pons" series,
the "Mike Faraday" series, Short Fiction and Novellas, Media Adaptations, Unpublished Works and much more,
enhanced with commentary by the author himself—but it also features several rare and obscure articles covering
everything from Arkham House creator August Derleth to a brief history of Count Dracula. There are also a number
of short stories, most of them original to this volume, ranging from his very first published work back in 1938
to a brand-new "Mike Faraday" detective adventure, along with a complete television script based on M.R. James'
classic horror story 'Count Magnus'. With an in-depth look at the author's life and career by acclaimed ghost
story editor Richard Dalby, and Basil Copper's inspirational Guest of Honour speech from the 1977 British Fantasy
Convention, Basil Copper: A Life in Books is illustrated with numerous cover reproductions, artwork and unique
personal photographs.
| INTRODUCTION: RECOLLECTIONS OF BASIL COPPER |
Stephen Jones |
| FOREWORD |
Basil Copper |
| BASIL COPPER: CRIMEWRITER & MASTER OF THE MACABRE |
Richard Dalby |
| BASIL COPPER: A WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY |
|
| A • Macabre & Supernatural Novels |
|
| REMEMBERING AUGUST DERLETH & ARKHAM HOUSE |
Basil Copper |
| B • Macabre & Supernatural Collections |
|
| THE GAME'S AFOOT! AUGUST DERLETH & SOLAR PONS |
Basil Copper |
| C • The "Solar Pons" Series |
|
| AUGUST DERLETH: A GIANT REMEMBERED |
Basil Copper |
| D • The "Mike Faraday" Series |
|
| RAP-SHEET |
Basil Copper |
| DIAMONDS ARE FOR NEVER |
Basil Copper |
| E • Other Books |
|
| IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF DRACULA |
Basil Copper |
| F • Non-Fiction |
|
| THE CURSE |
Basil Copper |
| PROFESSOR MAHMOUD |
Basil Copper |
| G • Short Stories & Novellas |
|
| THE BLACK COFFIN |
Basil Copper |
| H • Media Adaptations |
|
| COUNT MAGNUS (script) |
|
| I • Unpublished Works |
|
| DARKNESS, MIST & SHADOW—THE LANDSCAPE OF FEAR |
Basil Copper |
Winner of the 2009 British Fantasy Award
Reviews
"With A Life in Books Jones has done a remarkable job collecting a
variety of Copper's work including short stories, essays and even a speech he delivered
at Fantasycon 3 in 1977 . . . a worthwhile read for both long-time fans and the uninitiated."
—W. Brice McVicar
RUE MORGUE Issue #78, May 2008
| |
Photo © 2008 Peter Coleborn
Basil Copper and Stephen Jones at the book launch (London, February 23, 2008)
|
Photo © 2009
Basil Copper with the 2009 British Fantasy Award for Non-Fiction awarded to Basil Copper: A Life In Books (2008)
|
