Women Rule: “The Ungilded Lily”

This 11th post completes Killer Covers’ tribute to March as Women’s History Month. To enjoy the whole series, click here.



The Ungilded Lily, by Morton Cooper (Gold Medal, 1958).
Illustration by Charles Binger.

Women Rule: “The Whispered Sex”

The Whispered Sex, by Kay Martin (Hillman, 1960).
Illustration by Ernest Chiriacka, aka Darcy.

Women Rule: “Nude in Orbit”

Nude in Orbit, by “Gene Cross,” aka Arthur Jean Cox (Nightstand, 1968). Illustrator Darrel Millsap.

Women Rule: “Geisha”

Geisha, by Stephen Longstreet and Ethel Longstreet (Popular Giant, 1961). Illustrator unknown.

Women Rule: “Luck Is No Lady”

Luck Is No Lady, by “Larry Kent,” aka Ron Ingleby (Cleveland Publishing, Australia, 1969). Illustrator unknown.

Women Rule: “Demon Seed”

Demon Seed, by Dean R. Koontz (Bantam, 1973).
Illustration by Lou Feck.

Women Rule: “The Deadly Dames”

The Deadly Dames, by “Malcolm Douglas,” aka Douglas Sanderson (Gold Medal, 1956). Illustration by Bob Peak.

READ MORE: “A 1001 Midnights PI Mystery Review: Malcolm Douglas – The Deadly Dames,” by Art Scott (Mystery*File).

Women Rule: “Counter Girl”

Counter Girl, by Amy Harris (Midwood, 1962).
Illlustration by Robert Maguire. Back cover shown here.

Women Rule: “The Case of the Missing Coed”

The Case of the Missing Coed (aka A Little Sin), by William Hardy (Dell, 1960). Illustration by Ted CoConis.

Women Rule: “Look Behind You, Lady”

Look Behind You, Lady, by A.S. Fleischman (Gold Medal, 1963).
Illustration by Barye Phillips.

Women Rule: “The Savage”

Since men were the principal purchasers of crime novels during America’s mid- to late-20th century paperback-publishing heyday, the artists then contributing work to those volumes were not shy about displaying the female form in their illustrations—in all (legally permissible) states of dress and undress.

Killer Covers draws most frequently from that era’s creative output, so there’s never been a shortage of women featured on this page either. But with President Barack Obama having recently continued the tradition of declaring March to be Women’s History Month in the United States, I’ve decided that a special effort should be made to showcase book fronts that exhibit damsels in distress, sexy sweethearts, lascivious lasses, fearsome femmes fatales, and downright brash “dames.” From now until April Fool’s Day, you can expect every day at Killer Covers to offer up a new distaff delight.

Let’s begin with the 1959 Permabooks edition of The Savage, by Noel Clad, including cover art by the great Harry Bennett.