The Deadly Streets

1958

Ellison's first short-story collection consists of several gritty, violent tales first published in now-forgotten true crime rags with names like Guilt, Murder! and Trapped. Bearing such titles as "I'll Bet You a Death" and "Look Me In the Eye, Boy!" you might guess that these stories are about as relevant to the reality of today's deadly streets as malt shops and bobby socks. And in some instances, you'd guess right.

Still, like Ellison's first novel, Web of the City, published the same year, much of The Deadly Streets possesses a core of emotional integrity that still rings true four decades later. Recommended, if you can find it.

Collector's note

First edition paperback is rare, first UK edition rarer still.

Contents

• New Introduction: Avoiding Dark Places (1975 edition)
• Introduction: Some Sketches of the Damned
• Rat Hater (1975 edition)
• I'll Bet You a Death
• We Take Care of Our Dead
• The Man With the Golden Tongue (1975 edition)
• Johnny Slice's Stoolie
• Joy Ride
• Buy Me That Blade
• The Hippie-Slayer (1975 edition)
• Kid Killer
• With a Knife in Her Hand
• Sob Story (with Henry Slesar)
• Look Me in the Eye, Boy!
• The Dead Shot
• Ship-Shape Pay-Off (with Robert Silverberg) (1975 edition)
• Made in Heaven
• Students of the Assassin

Collectors' notes

Near fine copies of the US first edition typically sell for more than $100. A copy of the rare UK first edition sold on eBay in late 2002 for more than $1,200.