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A review by dreynoldsbook
In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes
dark
tense
medium-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
4.0
This novel is nothing like Chandler and I’m not sure why he should be ashamed of writing The Big Sleep, Farewell My Lovely and the Long Goodbye because Dorothy B Hughes wrote this, as Sara Paretsky seems to think.
Neither is this novel much like Highsmith’s Ripley. Ripley isn’t a psychopath, more of a sociopath who kills for convenience. The thing about Ripley is that Highsmith has you rooting for him. You never root for Dix. He’s a complete psychopath with no redeeming qualities.
This novel is more similar to The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson, although Thompson’s killer is more credible and fully formed I think. This is a great piece of noir fiction though.
Neither is this novel much like Highsmith’s Ripley. Ripley isn’t a psychopath, more of a sociopath who kills for convenience. The thing about Ripley is that Highsmith has you rooting for him. You never root for Dix. He’s a complete psychopath with no redeeming qualities.
This novel is more similar to The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson, although Thompson’s killer is more credible and fully formed I think. This is a great piece of noir fiction though.