This book reminded me of the Comedy Central "Roast" of David Hasselhoff: it wasn't funny and left me feeling a little dirty afterwards. I read somewhere that Raymond Chandler hated it. But i have to admit, it was well written and no BS in it. I guessed the killer correctly, about halfway, but i had the motive all wrong.
The only reason i thought of reading this book was because of a reference in the novel "Leaving the World". Besides the scenes of ultraviolence, the outdated viewpoints of the main protagonist are interesting to read.
Quotes:
From now on it’s a race. I want the killer for myself.
First, classify all murders. There are only a few. War, Passion, Self-Protection, Insanity, Profit and Mercy Killings. There are some others, but these are enough.
When I saw the light on I stopped in front of a mirrored door and gave myself a thorough inspection for lipstick marks. I managed to wipe my mouth clean, but getting it off my white collar was something else again. I could never figure out why the stuff came off women so easy and off the men so hard.
What we were both searching for was motive. There had to be one—and a good one. Murder doesn’t just happen. Murder is planned. Sometimes in haste, but planned nevertheless.
For a moment I wondered whether it would be decent to wear a gun when calling on a lady, but habit got the better of me.
A hell of a nice guy even if he was a moron.
No wife of mine is going to work. I want her at home where I know where she is.
Mary couldn’t wait until I closed the door. She flung herself at me and opened her mouth. Hell, couldn’t disappoint the hostess, so I kissed her.
How many times have you gone into the frailty of men and seen their weaknesses? It made you afraid. You no longer had the social instinct of a woman—that of being dependent upon a man.
I’m the jury now, and the judge, and I have a promise to keep.
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