1951: Big City Girl by Charles Williams.

Charles Williams had his publishing debut in 1951 with Hill Girl. Two more books followed the same year forming a "Girl Trilogy" of sorts. Big City Girl is the second of these three books and is available via the new Scribd subscription service here:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/171091884/Big-City-Girl

1951: Everybody Had A Gun by Richard S. Prather

Everybody Had A Gun is the second of three installments in Richard S. Prather's Shell Scott series to be released in 1951. The eBook is available for purchase on Amazon, and also the series is also available to read via the new Scribd subscription service:

http://www.scribd.com/read/141166865/Everybody-Had-A-Gun

1951: The Case of the Dancing Sandwiches by Fredric Brown

The Case of the Dancing Sandwiches is a novella released by Fredric Brown in 1951. This was also included as part of the collection Carnival of Crime which published in the mid-80's.

1951: To Kiss, Or Kill by Day Keene

To Kiss, Or Kill is another book from Day Keene published in 1951. Munseys.com has several e-friendly formats available for free download on their website here:

http://www.munseys.com/book/31004/To_Kiss,_Or_Kill

1951: My Flesh is Sweet by Day Keene

Reissued in 2005 by Stark House Press; one of 4 novels published by Day Keene in 1951.
More information via this link:
http://starkhousepress.com/keene.php

1951: The Brass Monkey by Harry Whittington

The Brass Monkey is Harry Whittington's 2nd published novel, and the first of several releases by this highly prolific author in the year 1951. Available in eBook from Prologue Books here:  http://www.prologuebooks.com/books/harry-whittington/the-brass-monkey

1951: The Killer by Wade Miller

Reissued in 2008 by Stark House press; one of several novels released in 1951 under by the various pseudonyms of "Wade Miller" which in itself is a pseudonym for the various collaborative efforts of Bill Miller and Bob Wade.

For more information on this title, check out the Wade Miller page on the Stark House Press website here:
http://starkhousepress.com/wademiller.php

1951: Farewell to Passion by Day Keene

One of four novels published by Day Keene in 1951. This title was republished under the title The Passion Murders in 1955.

1951: Cassidy's Girl by David Goodis

Cassidy's Girl is the first novel to be published by David Goodis in 1951 following his return to Philadelphia after a stint in Hollywood which resulted a few novels preceding this.

1951: 13 French Street by Gil Brewer.

Gil Brewer's 1st published novel 13 French Street was the first of three of his books to see publication that year. 

1951: Bodies in Bedlam by Richard S. Prather

Bodies in Bedlam is the second published novel in Richard S. Prather's Shell Scott series, and the first of three Shell Scott novels published in 1951.

1950 to 1951: Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith

Patricia Highsmith is one of my favorite crime authors and 1950 was the debut of her first published novel, Strangers on a Train, which was adapted to film by Alfred Hitchcock the following year. 

1950: Slay Ride for a Lady by Harry Whittington

The highly prolific Harry Whittington's work spanned several genres but 1950 saw the publishing of the first crime/suspense novel with Slay Ride for a Lady This work is included among several reissues from Prologue Books and I figured I would give it a read!

1950: Gather Yourselves Together by Philip K. Dick

Gather Yourselves Together was written in 1950 and was an example of Philip K. Dick's early attempts at writing a mainstream novel. I'm also familiar with this book as I reviewed the recent Brilliance audiobook version of it for the SFFAudio Podcast. My review can be found here:

http://www.sffaudio.com/?p=45594

1950: The Case of the Vanishing Beauty by Richard S. Prather

I am starting with the year 1950 to embark on a trip through time and starting this journey with a book I've already read: The Case of the Vanishing Beauty by Richard S. Prather. This is the author's first published novel launching the very successful Shell Scott series.

After much contemplation and consultation, (Brian Ritt's Paperback Confidential available through Stark House Press has been one of several valuable resources,) I've chosen to start with Prather as his work is readily available. I'll be picking and choosing several authors one year at a time and I wanted to start with one who's work is consistently available. As usual, I plan on focusing on crime fiction but may pick out an occasional science fiction, fantasy, or perhaps even a film or music recording from time to time to mix it up and keep things interesting... but I've decided the work of Richard S. Prather is going to provide the backbone of hopefully what might be the first of several journeys through time.