He is called the guru of the detective genre. What path did the author take to earn this “title”? In 1949, his first novel came out from under his pen. Over the 30 years of his literary career, he has written over 270 works. Of these, 261 are a detective novel, the rest of the works were written in different genres. When you start reading any Carter Brown book, you know for sure: it won’t be boring.
Biography
The author wrote his books under pseudonyms - Paul Valdes, Tex Conrad, Sinclair McKellar, Dennis Sinclair, Carter Brown and Tom Conway. The real name of the writer is Alan Jeffrey Yates. Born in London on August 1, 1923. He was educated in Essex schools. At the age of 19, being a lieutenant, he went to serve in the Royal Navy. After 4 years of service, Alan resigns and works at Gaumont-British Films in a recording studio.
In 1948, Yeats moved to Australia, obtained Australian citizenship, and worked for Qantas for several years in Sydney. He was married to Denise McKellar, the family had four children - three sons and a daughter. At the age of 61, on May 5, 1985, the writer passed away.
The beginning of literary activity
While still a manager, Carter Brown tried his hand at writing. During this period, he tries himself in various genres - westerns, "horror", science fiction. Many of these works are written under the pseudonym Tex Conrad. In 1953, Alan decided to completely switch to literary activity. From that moment on, he writes exclusively in the genre of detective.
His first work, the novel Unarmed Venus, written under the pseudonym Carter Brown, was sold in huge numbers and brought him fame. A few years later he publishes a novel under his real name, and in 1966 a number of his works were released under the pseudonym Caroline Farr.
The author's early works were addressed to an Australian audience. But after the publishing house New American Library offered him cooperation, his name becomes widely known in the United States. In 1959, his books were published in France, translated into several languages and world fame came to Carter Brown.
Fantastic in the work of Carter Brown
The first years of his work, Carter Brown worked in a fantastic genre. During this period (1949 - 1953), about twenty stories and short stories were released under the pseudonym Paul Valdes. Most of the works are written in the thriller genre with elements of fiction and mysticism. Of particular note are Hypnotic Death (1949), The Time Thief (1951) and The Crook Who Wasn't There (1952). Sinister inventors and inventions, time travel, x-ray vision and invisibility - in these works all elements of science fiction are present.
In the same period, the author writes several science fiction stories under his real name. The most famous among them are Girl from Galaxy X, A Space Ship is Missing, Planet of the Lost, Genie from Jupiter, Goddess of Space.
Towards the end of his career, Alan unexpectedly returns to science fiction, a novel by Coriolanus, the Chariot! - Perhaps the largest work written by him in this genre. This novel was uncharacteristic of his style, completely unlike any other work. Perhaps that is why the book was met somewhat negatively, and it went unnoticed.
Detective novels
Carter Brown's detectives are entertaining, with unexpected plot twists and excellent humor very quickly gained popularity, despite some rough edges. The author places the heroes of his works in the realities of American life, which he knew more from guides and movies. But readers forgive everything to a prolific writer for a lively and rich character language.
The main features of his style are conciseness, a rapidly developing intrigue, without undue intricacies. Numerous dialogues in colloquial language, humor and, of course, amazing heroes. The heroines of his works are invariably “juicy” and chic ladies, endowed with numerous talents and charms.
Detectives in Carter’s novels are invariably “cool” guys who in any situation come out dry from the water. Sometimes, risking their lives, they reveal serious crimes. But, which is typical of Brown's books, all attributes of a criminal nature are not annoying, but are organically woven into the narrative.
Rekindle desire and curiosity in readers, make them worry and read books in one gulp, but at the same time get distracted and relax behind a book - only Detective Master Carter Brown was capable of this.
Books in one go
All Carter Brown’s detectives “drag in” the reader. It is impossible to describe exactly what they attract, they force you to pick up a book again and again and re-read it. One feels a peculiarity, a desire to go beyond the scope of the idea and bring in that particular originality, because of which there is a desire to return to what has been read.
You understand from the first lines that somewhere nearby in detail lies the answer. But the author skillfully leads from plot to plot and the veil is lifted only on the last pages. Hints and dialogues, gradually, step by step, the author leads to the idea of the work. Different points of view, events revealed from different angles, soft irony, comic situations are so harmoniously woven into the plot that they become an integral part of it. For example, the book "House of Witchcraft."
Carter Brown reveals the character of the main character in a bright and balanced manner. You read the novel and watch how the protagonist changes - from impulsiveness and emotionality, he goes over to balanced and judicious actions. The author was able to raise a number of issues in the book that are worth considering. Carter Brown's books - and philosophy, and psychology, and humor, and tragedy, and history ...