The Drowning Pool

New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1950. First Edition. Doubly inscribed to legendary genre fiction editor and enthusiast Anthony Boucher. The first inscription, at the front endpaper, reads: "To the Bouchers / with affection / Kenneth Millar / (see Dedication —>)." The second inscription is at the Dedication page, which reads TO TONY, and very cleverly makes use of both Millar's real name and pseudonym, as well as Boucher's: "For Tony and Bill, / Those remarkable men, / This grist from the mill / of Johnny and Ken."

Boucher was a legendary figure in the mystery and science fiction world, and is considered to be one of the great proponents of genre fiction as a literary form. The worldwide mystery conference Bouchercon is named for him. A key Macdonald title and the second Lew Archer novel, basis for the 1975 film, the second of two Lew Archer adaptations featuring Paul Newman in the lead role (renamed as "Harper"). A unique and important copy.

Near Fine in a bright, Near Fine dust jacket.


[Book #123893]