FORGOTTEN BOOKS: POMEROY BY GORDON WILLIAMS!Gordon Williams is best know for his 1971 novel The Siege of Trencher's Farm (controversially filmed as Straw Dogs by Sam Peckinpah) and for a series of four co-written private novels (under the pseudonym P. B. Yuill), which spawned the popular British television series, Hazell.
For me, however, it is Gordon’s least known novel, Pomeroy, which stands out in my memory. I’ve always thought the character strong enough to carry a series, and have been constantly disappointed the novel has remained a stand-alone.
POMEROY
Meet John Stockley Pomeroy, black sheep scion of an aristocratic Tennessee family, cardsharp, hustler, adventurer, seducer – the thoroughly winning new rakehell hero of this high-spirited tale of intrigue and skullduggery set against the gilded splendor of Edwardian London.
Pomeroy’s style is impeccable; his skills flawless; his methods utterly reprehensible. He is wanted for larceny in six states. He is also the perfect man to act as President Theodore Roosevelt’s personal undercover agent for a most unorthodox and dangerous mission, involving a love-struck United States Ambassador, and the object of his affections . . . a young woman whose foreign entanglements indicate she is a pawn in a far deeper and more sinister game.
Elegant, unruly and fatally charming, Pomeroy is a hero who can ascend the heights, and sink to the depths . . . but always with an irresistible élan. He will be heard from again.
Well, actually, he wasn’t heard from again. While information on the back cover of the book indicates Pomeroy is the first in a promised three book series, books two and three never materialized for unknown reasons. It’s a shame because the character really did have a roguish charm, the writing was strong, and the promise of a series well founded. However, even as a stand-alone, Pomeroy is worth tracking down and enjoying.
WORDSMITH TELLS THE STORY OF CLAY WASHBURN, A PENNY AND A HALF A WORD PULP WRITER TRYING TO MAKE IT FROM DAY TO DAY IN THE GREAT DEPRESSION. CLAY WANTS TO WRITE MORE “IMPORTANT” THINGS, BUT THE FATES NEVER SEEM TO LET HIM DO THIS.
TOLD IN A STARK STYLE THAT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE LINE DRAWINGS AND WATERCOLOR, CLAY DOES NOT SOLVE CRIMES OR FIGHT EVIL DOERS IN HIS SPARE TIME, HE JUST WRITES, AND FRANKLY SPENDS A LOT OF TIME FEELING SORRY FOR HIMSELF FOR FINDING HE HAS TO WORK FOR THE PULPS.
THE ACTION IN THE SERIES COMES ONLY FROM DEPICTIONS OF THE STORIES HE WRITES, WHICH ARE REALLY AT THE HEART OF THE SERIES.
IT’S AS IF SOMEBODY TURNED FRANK GRUBER'S PULP JUNGLE INTO A COMIC BOOK.
GOOD STUFF, AND STILL AVAILABLE WITH A LITTLE GOOGLE ACTION.
A SHRUG OF THE EURO SPY TRENCHCOAT TO 
TRACKLIST:
