DEADLINE AT DAWN

Rating:
Summary: Worst Woolrich book I've read.
Review: Unfortunately, the fabulous descriptive writing and wonderful setting of this book (one night from about midnight to 6am) can't hide the ridiculous "lucky breaks" that enable the main characters to locate their unknown enemies. It's frustrating and irritating to read a book that starts out with such a fabulous premise-- a person being framed for a murder and having to find the perpetrator in five hours, with no clues-- turns out to rely not on brilliant storytelling but fantastical coincidences. And of course if you can't stomach all of that, there's a "note' thrown in at the end to explain the rest. Read "The Black Curtain" or another one of his novels instead. This one kinda stinks.

Rating:
Summary: Worst Woolrich book I've read.
Review: Unfortunately, the fabulous descriptive writing and wonderful setting of this book (one night from about midnight to 6am) can't hide the ridiculous "lucky breaks" that enable the main characters to locate their unknown enemies. It's frustrating and irritating to read a book that starts out with such a fabulous premise-- a person being framed for a murder and having to find the perpetrator in five hours, with no clues-- turns out to rely not on brilliant storytelling but fantastical coincidences. And of course if you can't stomach all of that, there's a "note' thrown in at the end to explain the rest. Read "The Black Curtain" or another one of his novels instead. This one kinda stinks.