Reviews

The Fast Buck by James Hadley Chase

paul_cornelius's review against another edition

3.0

Shifting perspectives is something Chase frequently does in his writing. Usually, it works. Here, in The Fast Buck, it does not come off so effectively. The cast of characters is enormous, for one, making the turn from one point of view to another more than choppy; it becomes downright distracting. There are Dallas, Purvis, Olin, Burns, Baird, Rico, Adam, Eve (yes, Adam and Eve--Gillis), Zoe, Anita, and a few more. Chase gives each of them their own private voice. As a result, the first half of the book plods along slowly, its convoluted plot dripping out like molasses. But then Chase saves himself half way through. About the time Baird and Rico go into the swamp, it all becomes vintage Chase: drama, action, and murder. Then, there is the shocking end to things, where Chase's violent, psychotic murderer manages to build a little sympathy for himself.