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SMB Noir

For the Fans of Hardboiled, Pulp & Gumshoe Art

Back in 2013, our tumblr site was started and ran until 2018, when they decided it was too "adult" - too lurid, supposedly. We followed the exodus to newtumbl and four years of dedication vanished in June of 2023. That work was not only new posts but upgrades of hundreds of old tumblr posts as well. So far, there has been no way to rescue those posts, so this will be the third version of this project. And, I'll warn you in advance, I may slip in covers that are not crime or mystery but just because I like the artwork. Enjoy!

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Tag: ace double paperback

1960 Ace Double paperback original – cover art by Robert Maguire

1960 Ace Double paperback original

cover art by Robert Maguire

better image than previously posted

Posted on March 19, 2026March 13, 2026Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags ace double paperback, bob mcknight, robert maguireLeave a comment on 1960 Ace Double paperback original – cover art by Robert Maguire

1953 Ace Double paperback reissue – cover art by Bernard Barton

1947 Simon & Schuster hardcover

also published as Bullets for a Blonde in 1949

1953 Ace Double paperback reissue

cover art by Barnard Barton

better image than previously posted

Posted on March 13, 2026February 23, 2026Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags ace double paperback, bernard barton, nurse, will ourslerLeave a comment on 1953 Ace Double paperback reissue – cover art by Bernard Barton

The Drowning Wire

cover art by Rafael DeSoto [signature cropped off book’s cover]

pseudonym of Marvin Larson

1953 Ace paperback original

Posted on March 13, 2026February 23, 2026Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags ace double paperback, dame, marvin claire, rafael desoto, smokingLeave a comment on The Drowning Wire

Twist the Knife Slowly

1947 Wyn hardcover A Murder in the House, this the 1952 Ace paperback reissue

cover art by Rafael DeSoto

the author’s only mystery novel

December 14, 2013

Posted on March 13, 2026February 23, 2026Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags ace double paperback, kate clugston, rafael desoto, wyn hardcoverLeave a comment on Twist the Knife Slowly

cover art by Robert Maguire

1954 Ace paperback original

cover art by Robert Maguire

1958 Panther release that repurposed the artwork

Posted on March 10, 2026February 23, 2026Categories british pulp, crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags ace double paperback, robert turner, robet maguireLeave a comment on cover art by Robert Maguire

1956 Ace Double paperback original – cover art by Lou Marchetti

Ace Double paperback original

cover art by Lou Marchetti

author’s 5th book under the pen-name Stephen Marlowe (aka Milton Lesser)

December 16, 2013

Posted on March 10, 2026February 23, 2026Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags ace double paperback, lou marchetti, stephen marloweLeave a comment on 1956 Ace Double paperback original – cover art by Lou Marchetti

1956 Ace Double paperback original

1956 Ace Double paperback original

pseudonym of Clifton Adams

better image than previously posted

Posted on February 28, 2026February 10, 2026Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, original art, paperback, pulpTags ace double paperback, clifton adams, jonathan gant, staircaseLeave a comment on 1956 Ace Double paperback original

1956 Ace paperback original – cover art by Bernard Barton

1956 Ace paperback original

cover art by Bernard Barton

better image than previously posted

Posted on February 27, 2026February 10, 2026Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags ace double paperback, bernard barton, robert turnerLeave a comment on 1956 Ace paperback original – cover art by Bernard Barton

1954 Ace Double reissue

unknown cover artist

1947 Mill hardcover

1954 Ace Double release

better image than previously posted

released in the UK as This Was No Accident

Posted on February 4, 2026February 2, 2026Categories crime fiction, hardcover, original art, paperback, pulpTags ace double paperback, fire escape, john a. saxon, mill hardcoverLeave a comment on 1954 Ace Double reissue

1952 Ace paperback original

pseudonym of Hal Braham
1952 Ace paperback original

cover art attributed to Norman Saunders

December 14, 2013

Posted on January 21, 2026January 14, 2026Categories crime fiction, Hardboiled, paperback, pulpTags ace double paperback, dame, mel cotton, woman with a gunLeave a comment on 1952 Ace paperback original

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