James Hadley Chase Complete Collection Epub To Pdf: A Review and Comparison of His Most Popular and Acclaimed Books
James Hadley Chase: The King of Thriller Writers
If you are a fan of thriller, crime, mystery, or detective novels, chances are you have heard of James Hadley Chase. He was one of the most prolific and popular writers of his genre, with over 90 books published in his lifetime. His books have sold millions of copies worldwide, and have been adapted into dozens of films and TV shows. But who was James Hadley Chase, and what made him so successful?
James Hadley Chase Complete Collection Epub To Pdf
Introduction: Who was James Hadley Chase and why is he famous?
James Hadley Chase was the pen name of René Lodge Brabazon Raymond, an English writer who was born on December 24, 1906 in London. He was the son of a colonel in the Indian Army, and had a privileged upbringing. He attended King's School in Rochester, Kent, where he developed a love for reading and writing. He left home at the age of 18, and worked in various jobs related to books and literature. He sold children's encyclopedias, worked in a bookshop, and became an executive for a book wholesaler.
Chase's interest in writing was sparked by two events. The first was reading The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain, a novel that introduced him to the genre of hard-boiled crime fiction. The second was learning about the American gangster Ma Barker and her sons, who were notorious for their violent crimes during the Prohibition era. Chase decided to write his own gangster novel, using maps and a slang dictionary to create an authentic American setting. He wrote his first book, No Orchids for Miss Blandish, in six weekends (or so he claimed), and published it in 1939 under the name James Hadley Chase.
No Orchids for Miss Blandish was a sensation. It was a gritty and shocking story of kidnapping, rape, murder, and revenge, featuring a ruthless gang leader named Slim Grisson and a spoiled heiress named Miss Blandish. The book sold over a million copies in its first year, despite being banned in some countries for its graphic violence and sexual content. It also attracted controversy for its alleged plagiarism of The Postman Always Rings Twice. However, Chase denied any wrongdoing, and claimed that he was only inspired by Cain's style and not his plot.
Chase's success with No Orchids for Miss Blandish encouraged him to write more books in the same vein. He wrote at a rapid pace, producing an average of three books per year. He also used different pseudonyms, such as James L. Docherty, Raymond Marshall, R. Raymond, and Ambrose Grant, to avoid saturating the market with his name. He wrote mostly about American characters and settings, even though he had never visited the United States until 1960. He relied on his research skills, imagination, and flair for storytelling to create convincing and captivating scenarios.
Biography: A brief overview of his life and career
Chase's life was not as dramatic as his novels, but it was still eventful and interesting. He married Sylvia Ray in 1932, and they had a son named Jeremy. He served in the Royal Air Force during World War II, reaching the rank of Squadron Leader. He edited the RAF journal with David Langdon, and published some of his stories in the book Slipstream: A Royal Air Force Anthology in 1946.
After the war, Chase continued to write and publish his books, which gained him a loyal fan base and critical acclaim. He also became involved in the film industry, as many of his books were adapted into movies. Some of the most notable ones are The Night of the Generals (1967), based on his book An Ace Up My Sleeve (1971), starring Peter O'Toole and Omar Sharif; The Bitch (1979), based on his book The World in My Pocket (1958), starring Joan Collins; and The Way the Cookie Crumbles (1980), based on his book Just Another Sucker (1960), starring James Coburn.
In 1956, Chase and his family moved to France, where he enjoyed a more relaxed lifestyle. He bought a villa in Nice, where he wrote most of his later books. He also traveled extensively, visiting countries such as India, Japan, South Africa, and Australia. He was fascinated by different cultures and landscapes, and incorporated them into some of his stories.
In 1969, Chase and his wife moved to Switzerland, where they lived in a secluded house in Corseaux-sur-Vevey, overlooking Lake Geneva. Chase suffered from poor health in his last years, and died on February 6, 1985 at the age of 78. He was buried in the cemetery of Corseaux.
Pseudonyms: The different names he used and why
As mentioned earlier, Chase used several pseudonyms throughout his career. The main reason for this was to avoid overexposing his name and confusing his readers. He also wanted to experiment with different styles and genres, and to avoid legal troubles with publishers and agents.
Here are some of the pseudonyms he used and their meanings:
James Hadley Chase: This was his most famous and widely used pen name. He chose it because he liked the sound of it, and because it had a connection to his family name. Raymond was derived from Raimond de Brabazon, an ancestor who came to England with William the Conqueror.
James L. Docherty: This was the name he used for his first book published in America, Miss Callaghan Comes to Grief (1941). He used it because he wanted to avoid confusion with another writer named James Chase who was already established in the US market.
Raymond Marshall: This was the name he used for some of his books that were more serious or political in nature, such as The Wary Transgressor (1952), which dealt with the issue of apartheid in South Africa.
R. Raymond: This was the name he used for some of his books that were more humorous or light-hearted in tone, such as You're Lonely When You're Dead (1949), which featured a hapless private detective named Vic Malloy.
Ambrose Grant: This was the name he used for some of his books that were more experimental or unconventional in form or content, such as The Soft Centre (1964), which had multiple narrators and perspectives.
James Hadley Chase's Books: A Legacy of Suspense and Crime
Genres and Themes: What kind of stories did he write and what inspired him?
James Hadley Chase wrote mainly in the genre of thriller, crime, mystery, and detective fiction. He was influenced by the American writers of the hard-boiled school, such as Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler, and James M. Cain. He also admired the works of Agatha Christie, Erle Stanley Gardner, and Edgar Wallace. He combined elements of these different styles to create his own distinctive voice and approach.
Chase's stories were characterized by fast-paced plots, suspenseful twists, realistic dialogue, and vivid descriptions. He often used first-person narration, which gave his stories a sense of immediacy and intimacy. He also used multiple narrators, flashbacks, and unreliable narrators to create complexity and ambiguity. He explored themes such as greed, lust, betrayal, revenge, corruption, violence, and justice. He also touched on social and political issues of his time, such as racism, sexism, colonialism, and communism.
Chase's stories were set in various locations around the world, but mostly in the United States. He created fictional cities and states based on his research and imagination. He also used real places as backdrops for his stories, such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, San Francisco, New Orleans, and Honolulu. He depicted these places with accuracy and detail, capturing their atmosphere and culture.
Popular Titles: Some of his most well-known and acclaimed books
James Hadley Chase wrote over 90 books in his lifetime, but some of them stand out as his most popular and acclaimed ones. Here are some of them:
No Orchids for Miss Blandish (1939): This was his first and most controversial book. It tells the story of a gang of kidnappers who abduct a wealthy heiress and subject her to brutal torture and rape. It was a huge bestseller in Britain and France, but it was banned in some countries for its graphic violence and sexual content. It was also accused of plagiarism by some critics who claimed that it copied The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain. It was adapted into a film in 1948.
The Fast Buck (1952): This was one of his most critically acclaimed books. It tells the story of a con man who impersonates a wealthy businessman and swindles a fortune from his unsuspecting victims. It was praised for its clever plot, witty dialogue, and sharp satire of American society. It was adapted into a film in 1956.
Tiger by the Tail (1954): This was one of his most popular books. It tells the story of a journalist who investigates a murder case involving a mysterious woman and a powerful politician. It was praised for its suspenseful plot, realistic characters, and vivid setting. It was adapted into a film in 1970.
The Vulture Is a Patient Bird (1969): This was one of his most complex and ambitious books. It tells the story of a ruthless tycoon who hires a team of experts to steal a priceless diamond from a heavily guarded museum. It was praised for its intricate plot, multiple perspectives, and surprising twists. It was adapted into a film in 1971.
An Ace Up My Sleeve (1971): This was one of his most successful books. It tells the story of a gambler who gets involved in a dangerous game of blackmail and murder with a corrupt general and his mistress. It was praised for its thrilling plot, colorful characters, and exotic setting. It was adapted into a film in 1976.
Adaptations: How his books were translated into films and TV shows
James Hadley Chase's books were very popular among filmmakers and TV producers who saw their potential for cinematic adaptation. His books were adapted into dozens of films and TV shows in various languages and countries. Some of them were faithful to the original source material, while others made significant changes or additions.
Some of the most notable adaptations are:
The Night of the Generals (1967): This was based on Chase's book An Ace Up My Sleeve (1971). It starred Peter O'Toole as General Tanz, a Nazi officer who is suspected of murdering a prostitute in Warsaw during World War II. Omar Sharif played Major Grau, an intelligence officer who tries to catch him.
The Bitch (1979): This was based on Chase's book The World in My Pocket (1958). It starred Joan Collins as Fontaine Khaled, a wealthy and glamorous nightclub owner who gets involved with a ruthless gangster. It was a sequel to The Stud (1978), which was also based on a Chase book.
The Way the Cookie Crumbles (1980): This was based on Chase's book Just Another Sucker (1960). It starred James Coburn as Harry, a con man who teams up with a young woman to pull off a series of scams. It was a comedy caper film with a twist ending.
Miss Shumway Waves a Wand (1992): This was based on Chase's book Miss Shumway Waves a Wand (1944). It starred Patrick Macnee as Jay Benson, a magician who is hired by a wealthy woman to teach her niece some magic tricks. However, he soon discovers that the niece is actually a fugitive from justice.
12 + 1 (1996): This was based on Chase's book The Sucker Punch (1964). It starred Sharon Stone as Pat, an actress who inherits 13 chairs from her uncle. However, she soon learns that one of the chairs contains a fortune in jewels, and that she is not the only one who knows about it.
James Hadley Chase Complete Collection: A Treasure for Thriller Fans
If you are a fan of James Hadley Chase's books, or if you want to discover his works for the first time, you might be interested in getting the James Hadley Chase Complete Collection. This is a digital collection that contains all of his books in epub format. Epub is a file format that allows you to read ebooks on various devices, such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and e-readers. But what exactly does this collection offer, and how can you get it?
Format and Features: What is an epub file and how to read it?
An epub file is an electronic publication file that contains text, images, and other elements of an ebook. It is designed to be flexible and adaptable to different screen sizes and resolutions. It also allows you to customize your reading experience, such as changing the font size, color, or layout.
To read an epub file, you need an app or software that can open and display it. There are many options available for different devices and platforms. Some of the most popular ones are:
Calibre: This is a free and open-source ebook management software that can read and convert epub files. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Adobe Digital Editions: This is a free ebook reader software that can read and manage epub files. It is available for Windows and Mac.
iBooks: This is the default ebook reader app for iOS and Mac devices. It can read and sync epub files across your devices.
Google Play Books: This is an ebook reader app for Android devices. It can read and store epub files in your Google account.
Kindle: This is the ebook reader device and app by Amazon. It can read epub files if you convert them to mobi or azw3 format using Calibre or other tools.
Content and Quality: What books are included in the collection and how good are they?
The James Hadley Chase Complete Collection contains all of his 90 books in epub format. They are organized by year of publication, from 1939 to 1984. They include his most famous and acclaimed titles, such as No Orchids for Miss Blandish, The Fast Buck, Tiger by the Tail, The Vulture Is a Patient Bird, An Ace Up My Sleeve, and many more. They also include his lesser-known but still interesting books, such as Blonde's Requiem, Figure It Out for Yourself, You've Got It Coming, You Never Know with Women, and others.
The quality of the epub files is generally good. They have clear text, images, and formatting. They also have metadata, such as title, author, cover image, and synopsis. However, some of the files may have minor errors or inconsistencies, such as typos, missing pages, or wrong headings. These are not very noticeable or distracting, but they may affect your reading experience if you are very particular about details.
Benefits and Drawbacks: Why should you get the collection and what are the possible issues?
discover new books that you might have missed or overlooked. You can also share them with your friends and family who are fans of thriller and crime fiction.
The main drawback of getting the James Hadley Chase Complete Collection is that you may encounter some technical or legal issues. For example, you may have difficulty opening or converting the epub files if you don't have the right app or software. You may also have trouble transferring or syncing the files across your devices if you don't have enough storage space or a stable internet connection. You may also face some copyright or licensing problems if you download or distribute the files without permission or payment.
How to Get James Hadley Chase Complete Collection Epub To Pdf
If you are interested in getting the James Hadley Chase Complete Collection in epub format, you have several options. You can either buy it from an online store, download it from a torrent site, or request it from a friend who has it. However, each option has its pros and cons, and you should be careful and responsible when choosing one.
Sources and Options: Where can you find the collection and how much does it cost?
One option is to buy the collection from an online store that sells ebooks. There are many such stores, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Apple Books, Google Play Books, and others. However, not all of them may have the complete collection available, and some of them may have different prices or formats. You should compare and contrast the different options before making a purchase.
Another option is to download the collection from a torrent site that offers free ebooks. There are many such sites, such as The Pirate Bay, Kickass Torrents, 1337x, RARBG, and others. However, not all of them may have the complete collection available, and some of them may have low-quality or infected files. You should be cautious and selective when downloading from these sites.
A third option is to request the collection from a friend who has it. This may be the easiest and cheapest option if you know someone who is willing to share their files with you. However, not everyone may have the collection or be willing to share it with you. You should also respect their privacy and preferences when asking for their files.
Steps and Tips: How to download and convert the epub file to pdf format?
If you decide to buy or download the collection in epub format, you may want to convert it to pdf format for easier reading or printing. Pdf is a file format that preserves the layout and appearance of a document regardless of the device or software used to view it. To convert an epub file to pdf format, you need a tool that can perform this task. There are many such tools available online, both free and paid. Some of the most popular ones are:
Calibre: This is a free and open-source ebook management software that can read, convert, edit, and organize epub files. It is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux.
Zamzar: This is a free online file conversion service that can convert epub files to pdf files. It is fast and easy to use.
Epubor: This is a paid ebook converter software that can convert epub files to pdf files. It has more features and options than Zamzar.
To convert an epub file to pdf format using any of these tools, you need to follow these steps:
Open the tool and select the epub file that you want to convert.
Choose pdf as the output format and adjust any settings or preferences as needed.
Click on the convert button and wait for the process to finish.
Download or save the converted pdf file to your device or cloud storage.
Some tips to keep in mind when converting an epub file to pdf format are:
Make sure that the epub file is not corrupted or protected by DRM (digital rights management) before converting it.
Check the quality and accuracy of the converted pdf file before using or sharing it.
Delete or backup the original epub file after converting it if you don't need it anymore.
Recommendations and Alternatives: What other collections or books by James Hadley Chase can you try?
If you enjoy reading the James Hadley Chase Complete Collection in epub or pdf format, you may want to try some other collections or books by him or similar authors. Here are some recommendations and alternatives:
James Hadley Chase Omnibus: This is a series of books that contain several of Chase's novels in one volume. There are 12 volumes in total, each with a different theme or genre. They are available in paperback and ebook formats.
James Hadley Chase Collection: This is a series of books that contain two of Chase's novels in one volume. There are 24 volumes in total, each with a different pair of titles. They are available in paperback and ebook formats.
James Hadley Chase Single Titles: These are the individual books by Chase that are not part of any collection or series. They are available in various formats, such as paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook, and CD.
Other Authors: