Forgotten Story: "A Man Couldn't Breathe" by David Goodis (writing as David Crewe)

While looking at Carroll John Daly pulps on Abe last week, I happened to see the issue at right (which I own) offered by a dealer for $750. What the hell??  I've seen some overpriced Daly items, but never one that far out of line. But reading on, I discovered Daly wasn't the reason for the outrageous price tag. According to the dealer, this issue sports the third crime story ever published by David Goodis (the first, according to that same dealer - also under the David Crewe pseudonym - was "The Shape of Murder," in the October 13, 1934 issue of the same magazine, which he will kindly sell you for the low, low price of $1,850).

Now, I'm no Goodis expert, and have no reason to doubt that those are his first and third crime stories. I am, though, a longtime book and pulp collector, and consider those prices absolutely ridiculous. So it gives me great pleasure to present to you, free of charge, that third story, "A Man Couldn't Breathe," from the April 6, 1935 issue of Detective Fiction Weekly. My only regret is that I don't have "The Shape of Murder" to share with you too.

NOTE: Goodis supposedly wrote about 400 pulp stories under various names. If anyone has a list, I'd sure like to see it. Chances are I have others I don't know about, and would be happy to post them here.

ANOTHER NOTE: This issue of DFW introduced Mr. Strang, my 3rd favorite Carroll John Daly character, and the hero of two novels. See my review of Mr. Strang HERE.

Check out this week's amazing Forgotten Books at pattinase.