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A review by criminolly
The Vengeful Virgin by Gil Brewer
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
An enjoyably tense slice of noir from the 50s, ‘The Vengeful Virgin’ has all the elements you’d expect (lust, murder, revenge, betrayal) and some juicy prose to boot. The plot is reminiscent of Cain’s ‘The Postman Always Rings Twice’, featuring an illicit affair and a murder plot. This time the femme fatale is young woman trapped looking after her invalid, wealthy stepfather. When she seduces the local TV repairman the result is MURDER.
It’s definitely a book from the 1950s, with language and attitudes to match, but nothing you wouldn’t expect in a vintage crime novel. The plot isn’t desperately original, but the twists and turns are entraining, the prose is strong and the end is absolutely great.
It’s definitely a book from the 1950s, with language and attitudes to match, but nothing you wouldn’t expect in a vintage crime novel. The plot isn’t desperately original, but the twists and turns are entraining, the prose is strong and the end is absolutely great.