db_cooper's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This is a classic of detective noir fiction for a reason. Absolutely masterful, evocative language; the author draws and animates a picture in your mind. Clever stories, with the "seedy underbelly" of 1930s California leavened by clever turns of phrase and tight plots. Four short stories, each one a total gem. Be aware that these near-100-year old works do include some language "of the time" which modern readers may find somewhat jarring. However, those descriptions are not a focus of the stories.
Moderate: Violence
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