Aquarium Shark Regurgitates Arm – 1935

In New South Wales, Australia, thrill seekers pressed against the glass panels of Coogee Aquarium’s shark display as the newly acquired tiger shark writhed in pain and then vomited up a human arm – with a tat of two boxers slugging it out on the soggy flesh. A rope was wrapped around the severed limb.

Police initially thought that the arm belonged to an unlucky swimmer but it was soon revealed to be the limb of  Jim Smith a shady character who ran a sleezy pool hall and had been previously charged for  illegal bookmaking.

Suspects were Reggie Holmes, a successful boat-building businessman and smuggler and his associate, Patrick Brady,  a forger.   Smith had worked dirty deals for Holmes and then made the mistake of blackmailing him. Brady was arrested.

Four days later Holmes tried unsuccessfully to shot himself but the bullet flattened against the bone of his forehead and he was only stunned. Captured by the police he confessed that Brady had killed Smith. The day before the inquest into Smith’s death Holmes was found shot dead in his car. Brady was acquitted and  continued to claim his innocence until he died at the age of seventy one years.

Here’s an interesting coincidence. I drew the picture and guessed what the tat would look like. Then I found the photo of the arm and was happy to see that my guess was pretty good.

Scared to go in the water?

 Shark Attack Tips

Avoid:

• Fishing boats leaving a trail of fish flesh and blood.
• Shark food such as dead animals and large groups of fish, seals, or sea lions.
• High-contrast clothing (orange and yellow)
• Bling or other shiny jewelry (which may be mistaken for fish scales)
• Excessive splashing.

Leave the water:

• At dawn, dusk, and night.
• If you are bleeding.
• If something brushes up against you.

Check with the Locals. If you don’t want to meet a shark stay out of its way.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE ATTACKED – If you’re being attacked by a shark, go for the eyes and gills. Kill the killer and cook him up.

 Shark Steaks

Cube 4 shark steaks, put them in a glass pan and marinade them in:

• Braggs amino acids
• 1 tsp grated lemon peel
• ¼  cup lemon juice
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 2tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tbl olive oil

Broil
Garnish with Green Onion

Drive stick? or Why I love Donald Westlake

No mystery reader is worth their salt if they haven’t read at least two of Donald Westlake’s Dormunder books and two of his Parker books written under the name of Richard Stark. Of course that’s a dirty trick because you won’t be able to read just two.

Donald Westlake (1933 – 2008) was a brilliant author of over one hundred books. Wikipedia says: Donald Westlake was known for the great ingenuity of his plots and the audacity of his gimmicks. His writing and dialogue are lively. His main characters are fully rounded, believable, and clever.”

About Parker:

“Whatever Stark writes, I read. He’s a stylist, a pro, and I thoroughly enjoy his attitude.”—Elmore Leonard

“Richard Stark’s Parker novels … are among the most poised and polished fictions of their time and, in fact, of any time.”—John Banville, Bookforum”—

“Parker is a true treasure. … The master thief is back, along with Richard Stark.”—Marilyn Stasio, New York Times Book Review”—

About the Dortmunder books – This is what Westlake has to say:

“Those 4 guys in the late 60′s who attacked a jewel merchant on New York’s West 46th St. on the sidewalk, so they could steal his jewel-filled station wagon, which they abandoned 2 blocks later because none of them could drive a stick shift. Where would I be without such people?” – Donald E. Westlake

But one of my favorite Westlake books ever is a stand-alone. If you pick it up, plan on uncontrollable laughter and staying up all night reading.