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yasminlibrarian's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Misogyny
Minor: Sexual assault
clairebodger's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ABSOLUTE masterpiece, perfect in every way, this is the Noir that dreams are made of
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, Violence, and Rape
toffishay's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This is the first I've ever read from Dorothy Hughes and I see myself reading more. The writing was engaging and breezy. For being crime fiction, the crimes weren't presented in a salacious way. It's interested to get into the mind of a killer and to have that more psychological perspective.
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder and Sexual assault
travisppe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A refreshing take on the hard-boiled California thing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Animal cruelty, Death, Sexual assault, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Stalking, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic relationship, and Violence
ruthjenkins's review against another edition
dark
tense
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Rape
belovedsnail's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I have reread this book many times. Not sure what always draws me back. This time the relationship between the women is what struck me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
reid23's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sick book. i love hughes’ writing style. Dix is such an amazingly written character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Sexism
Moderate: Alcohol and Stalking
Minor: War
briggy124's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Misogyny
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Rape
Main character is a murder but events are not graphically describedthetruthatallhazards's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Incredible if you like noir. Predecessor to Patricia Highsmith’s Tom Ripley series, and it reminds me of those books in the most interesting way. Incisive and well-plotted and layered.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny
Minor: Murder and Rape
christinecc's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A must-read for noir enthusiasts. Dorothy B. Hughes is a master of the genre.
Dix Steele is back from flying planes in WWII. Now in California and living on his uncle's dime, he reaches out to one of his flyboy friends, Brub, who is now happily married and working as a detective in LA. Funny thing is, Dix doesn't feel like Brub's wife is happy to see him. Why would that be? And in the foggy summer of the City of Angels, there's a serial strangler on the loose. What's that all got to do with Dix?
Hughes paints this dark, tense portrait of characters hiding their true intentions, viscerally sensing danger, and playing with every possible detail to manipulate those around them. The murders loom over the story, and we just don't know who to suspect until it's all too clear and another death is on the way. Then we're strapped in for the ride and we can't stop until the last page (which is a shame because the story ends kind of abruptly; it's strong about 99% of the way before screeching to a halt).
Recommended for mystery lovers, anyone who enjoys character writing with a psychological bent, and noir fans who can't miss a classic of the genre.
Dix Steele is back from flying planes in WWII. Now in California and living on his uncle's dime, he reaches out to one of his flyboy friends, Brub, who is now happily married and working as a detective in LA. Funny thing is, Dix doesn't feel like Brub's wife is happy to see him. Why would that be? And in the foggy summer of the City of Angels, there's a serial strangler on the loose. What's that all got to do with Dix?
Hughes paints this dark, tense portrait of characters hiding their true intentions, viscerally sensing danger, and playing with every possible detail to manipulate those around them. The murders loom over the story, and we just don't know who to suspect until it's all too clear and another death is on the way. Then we're strapped in for the ride and we can't stop until the last page (which is a shame because the story ends kind of abruptly; it's strong about 99% of the way before screeching to a halt).
Recommended for mystery lovers, anyone who enjoys character writing with a psychological bent, and noir fans who can't miss a classic of the genre.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Murder