In memory of Laura Black

[reviews_and_ramblings]

Readers of the busty Scottish historical novels supposedly written by Laura Black would have been surprised to know that Rosalind Erskine, creator of the saucy The Passion-Flower Hotel (1962), came from the same stable. Or that Ivor Drummond, the Ian Fleming lookalike, was the author of The History of Horse Racing (1972).

What most impressed Longrigg's book-trade colleagues was the feat of achieving success under all those names. Most writers are content to establish a reputation under one name, let alone eight (the others he wrote under, apart from his own, were Megan Barker, Grania Beckford, Frank Parrish and Domini Taylor). Of course it is possible that Longrigg's considerable overall success might have been greater if his writing had been less diverse.

To  read more:

http://rosaromance.splinder.com/post/16156490/

Comments

[erastes.livejournal.com]

WOW. I did not know that.

The Passion-Flower Hotel was literally mine and my best friends favourite book when we were teenagers, I had no idea.

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

For what I know, he was almost forgotten during his last years. A pretty sad end for a man who seems to be really interesting and with a lot of things to share. Elisa

Laura Black: A MAN???

[eclipsed-heart.livejournal.com]

Oh my gosh, I never knew till today that one of my favourite authors was actually a man! I love all Laura Black's books and today, having just re-read 'Glen Draco,' I thought I'd google Miss Black and learn more about her. WOW. This was more than I expected!
Well, if all Mr. Longrigg's books are as good as the LB books, I've lots of new reading material to peruse!

Re: Laura Black: A MAN???

[elisa-rolle.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was indeed a best kept secret since almost the end of Mr Longrigg's life. It was unveiled by an English journalist, and it was a real surprise for many people. Unfortunately Mr Longrigg was not so rewarded at the end of his life. Elisa