Absolute Mystery

"I read "the music lovers" and it was poor writing IMO!"

"I read most of his books many years ago,long before I had any inkling of any audiophilia connection.Perhaps it was a review of "The music lovers" that raised my curiosity.I liked his writing and his character "Harry Stoner".These are good books, entertaining and absorbing reading.I recall "The Lime Pit" as being one of the best.They still sit on shelves next to more well known writers.I think he earned that space.Whether the space afforded him in this post is valid,"favorite things" is pretty open ended and might just include about anything.Who can deny a friend a plug? Especially when it is deserved."

"I really liked "The Music Lovers". I haven't read any other of his books, but this one was good."

Now you've done it Psag. You started a free, unethical and unprofessional advertising campaign for Valin's books. And by the looks of it, you should easily eclipse Robert Harley. No one reads TAS, but quite a few read Audiogon threads, and now, thanks to you, JV's mystery books.

"No one reads TAS", BUT- Stereo Review, Audio,
Sensible Sound & High Fidelity have all folded, yet TAS
still remains(in print & on-line). They must be running off
someone's trust fund, if there are no subscribers or news
stand purchasers. Perhaps JV has promised royalties, off his
book sales, so they can stay in print?

I avidly consume mysteries and have any number of authors I follow pretty compulsively. I read a couple of JV's novels and some short stories (in multiple author anthologies) before I knew he reviewed for TAS. I thought they were quite forgettable; I don't think I read "The Music Lovers".

Just my two cents but I do in fact read Stereophile,TAS and HiFi+ all for different strengths each affords me.
Yes in those three publications there are indeed MANY quirky characters about but no more then when I am with my audio buddies!
We start off listening and discussing all things audio but almost always go " off topic" due to one or another's crazy stories.
I value that part of them as much as they're musical knowledge!
Can we PLEASE dispense with the frivolous arguments,pointed comments and character assassinations ?
Those mentioned and other's on the staffs of each are giving there opinions and a little of themselves...Where is the crime?

It often times beats reading the repetitive drivel of fellow readers who seem to complain only to see they're post on a Forum or Letters section.
Enjoy the hobby,
Azjake

Not to get too far off topic, but since some of those who have responded have indicated an interest in mystery stories, I'll make a recommendation. If you might be interested in an example of the "locked room"/impossible crime genre of detective fiction that was especially popular in the early part of the last century, read "The Three Coffins" (also known in some countries as "The Hollow Man") by John Dickson Carr, published in 1935. IMO by far the greatest example of that genre, and IMO perhaps the best mystery novel ever written.

Regards,
-- Al