AFTER THE LAST RACE

New York: Atheneum, 1974. First edition (stated). Very good in very good jacket.. The dedication copy of this scarce and early Koontz crime thriller in the gritty noir mode - a first edition inscribed by Koontz to the book's editor, Simon Michael Bessie. The author's second "major" novel, following 1973's HANGING ON, it was edited by legendary editor and Atheneum founder, Simon Michael Bessie, to whom Koontz would ultimately dedicate AFTER THE LAST RACE: "To Simon Michael Bessie, an editor and a gentleman, each in equal measure." In his handwritten inscription above this printed dedication, Koontz elaborates: "Mike - Because of your style, confidence in me, and suggestions, this is surely the most sincere dedication I've ever written. As always, Dean R. Koontz."

An early Koontz crime novel in the Dick Francis milieu, featuring an arsonist, a murderer, a gambler, a detective, a race track manager, the "stunningly sexy and corrupt woman who wants to destroy him," and an underworld supplier who runs guns out of a well-described used bookstore. By the early 1970s, Koontz had published dozens of paperback originals in various disreputable genres under various other pseudonyms; his greatest success and enduring fame would come in the horror boom of the 1980s and after. Always prolific, AFTER THE LAST RACE was one of three novels Koontz published in the same year, and the only one to be issued under his own name. An important association, copy, and title in the career of one of our most popular authors. 8.5'' x 5.5''. Original quarter magenta cloth with blue paper boards, silver-lettered spine. In original unclipped ($8.95) dust jacket, designed by Don and Ann Crews. Ochre endpapers. [14], 297, [5] pages. Inscribed on the dedication page by Koontz to his editor Simon Michael Bessie. Book slighly cocked, some foxing to edges, bit of sunning to top edge. Jacket toned with some rubbing and soil. Couple of small creases to flaps. Overall, clean and sound.