In this classic mystery that introduced the iconic PI Shell Scott, he’s out to catch a killer before his hot dame client is turned into a cold corpse. Lovely Lina, she’s a dame who is so hot she scorches, but somebody wants to put out that fire. When her sister disappears and another woman is gunned down, Lina suspects she is next in line. Shell Scott, an infamous private dick who leaves a trail of gorgeous gals in his wake, is just the man for the case. Shell Scott, he’s a guy with a pistol in his pocket and murder on his mind. The crime world’s public enemy number one, this Casanova is a sucker for a damsel in distress. When a pair of lovely legs saunters into his office, he can’t help but take the job, even when the case is a killer. Case of the Vanishing Beauty is the 1st book in the Shell Scott Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

“As far as I’m concerned, Richard S. Prather was the King of the paperback P.I writers of the 60s. Shell Scott should be in the Top Ten of any readers list of favorite private eyes.” --Robert J. Randisi For four decades, Richard S. Prather published over 40 works of detective fiction, most featuring his clever, cad-about-town hero, Shell Scott. Known for their arched humor, punchy dialogue, and sunny Southern California locale, the Shell Scott books represent one of the greatest private eye collections ever produced. DAGGER OF FLESH A Shell Scott Mystery Shell Scott. He’s a guy with a pistol in his pocket and murder on his mind. The crime world’s public enemy number one, this Casanova is a sucker for a damsel in distress. When a pair of lovely legs saunters into his office, he can’t help but take the job, even when the case is a killer. Shell’s gotten himself into a heap of trouble this time. Jay’s gotten himself killed, and his corpse is pointing a stiff finger directly at our tender-hearted private dick. Is it possible that he has been hypnotized? If so, then maybe the cops won’t mind that lie about his whereabouts that night. But lying on top of those white sheets with that sexy dame, now that couldn’t be a figment of his imagination, could it? Nah, even Shell Scott can’t come up with something that juicy. Dagger of Flesh is the 5th book in the Shell Scott Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Shell Scott. He’s a guy with a pistol in his pocket and murder on his mind. The crime world’s public enemy number one, this Casanova is a sucker for a damsel in distress. When a pair of lovely legs saunters into his office, he can’t help but take the job, even when the case is a killer. He’s South of the border and crackin’ down on crime. There’s a fierce crime wave running rampant throughout Mexico that’s got Shell in the mood for some hot tamales, wet tequila and justice. But who would have guessed that the police are involved in the scam? Shell’s got his work cut out for him, but that doesn’t mean there’s no time for some sexy senoritas. Pattern for Panic Dying is the 10th book in the Shell Scott Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

"As far as I'm concerned, Richard S. Prather was the King of the paperback P.I writers of the 60s. Shell Scott should be in the Top Ten of any readers list of favorite private eyes." --Robert J. Randisi For four decades, Richard S. Prather published over 40 works of detective fiction, most featuring his clever, cad-about-town hero, Shell Scott. Known for their arched humor, punchy dialogue, and sunny Southern California locale, the Shell Scott books represent one of the greatest private eye collections ever produced. ALWAYS LEAVE 'EM DYING A Shell Scott Mystery Shell Scott. He's a guy with a pistol in his pocket and sex and violence on his mind. The crime world's public enemy number one, this Casanova is a sucker for a damsel in distress. When a pair of lovely legs saunters into his office, he can't help but take the job, even when the case is a killer. In ALWAYS LEAVE 'EM DYING, Shell thinks he has seen it all – until he sees the cult. It sacrifices the best for the worst, and when he discovers who’s leading it, it almost kills him. Uniformed in black right down to the gun aimed at Shell, the leader resembles an embalmed undertaker. But it isn’t just those gorgeous young girls he seeks to sacrifice. He wants Shell. Not dead or alive – just dead. Always Leave ’Em Dying is the 9th book in the Shell Scott Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Dancing the fox trot with a client could be considered unethical--then again, a lot of what my job leads me to do is unethical--but I believe in adding a personal touch to my work. And boy did that ferocious feline of a lady make me crazy about my job. After a while, our rhythmic anatomy lesson turned dirty with an unfriendly gangster pointed his pistol my way. They want me, Shell Scott, to be the headline in the obituaries section, and all I want to do is turn off that dancing music and run to save my life. Over Her Dear Body is the 19th book in the Shell Scott Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Shell Scott, a not-so-private investigator, has a new type of case; he has to bare it all. But this case requires no fancy P.I. accessories...in fact, it doesn’t require any accessories: he’s got to find a murderer in a nudist colony. Experienced nudists and adventurous visitors frolic about the colony—-oh, and so does a deranged killer. Wearing nothing but his gun, Shell has to reveal the murderer in this entrancing mystery novel...and that’s the naked truth. One of Prather's personal favorites! Strip for Murder is the 12th book in the Shell Scott Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

It was a bright and shiny Beverly Hills afternoon when Shell Scott opened his door to find intrigue lying at the foot of his apartment...in the form of a corpse! Just another day in the sun for the private eye with a nose for danger. He’s got to dodge bullets and bounce Beverly Hills beauties in his search for the thug that interrupted his afternoon nap before someone puts him to sleep permanently. Now the only way this private dick is going to cop z’s is by pouncing on this perpetrator and making sure to kill him not just once... Kill Him Twice is the 30th book in the Shell Scott Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Shell Scott. He’s a guy with a pistol in his pocket and murder on his mind. The crime world’s public enemy number one, this Casanova is a sucker for a damsel in distress. When a pair of lovely legs saunters into his office, he can’t help but take the job, even when the case is a killer. Shell feels like a walking, talking target. He’s not an easy guy to mistake for someone else, with his gray eyes, broken nose and missing ear tip, but who would want to take a shot at such a stunning and attractive man? Something’s fishy in the state of Denmark when Shell finds he is dodging bullets and it seems like everyone is holding a smoking gun. This case just might land Shell a new, deluxe residence . . . in the morgue. Honored with the Life Achievement Award by the Private Eye Writers of America! Everybody Had a Gun is the 3rd book in the Shell Scott Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

Shell Scott. He’s a guy with a pistol in his pocket and murder on his mind. The crime world’s public enemy number one, this Casanova is a sucker for a damsel in distress. When a pair of lovely legs saunters into his office, he can’t help but take the job, even when the case is a killer. There are way too many dames knocking at Shell’s door, all saying they are the same woman. Not that Shell minds a private Las Vegas harem, but they are really complicating this case. He has his hands full peeling each woman’s mask, but Shell can handle it. It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it. He’s going to find this broad or die trying. Honored with the Life Achievement Award by the Private Eye Writers of America! Find This Woman is the 4th book in the Shell Scott Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.

"As far as I'm concerned, Richard S. Prather was the King of the paperback P.I writers of the 60s. Shell Scott should be in the Top Ten of any readers list of favorite private eyes." --Robert J. Randisi For four decades, Richard S. Prather published over 40 works of detective fiction, most featuring his clever, cad-about-town hero, Shell Scott. Known for their arched humor, punchy dialogue, and sunny Southern California locale, the Shell Scott books represent one of the greatest private eye collections ever produced. Death is just around the coroner...uh, corner, when you're Shell Scott -- roaming the streets with a nose for danger and a sharp eye for the dames. On a trail leading from the high-class mortuary to the local cemetery, he's about to realize the mob wanted him exactly where he was--as a permanent resident! But there's always another corner, always another solution other than death. At least, when it comes to his. Honored with the Life Achievement Award by the Private Eye Writers of America! "(Shell Scott is) as amusingly blithe a figure as the field has seen since the Saint." --Anthony Boucher Dig That Crazy Grave is the 22nd book in the Shell Scott Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.