In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes was first published in 1947 but as you can see it has been reprinted by Penguin. From the cover the book was obviously made into a film, starring Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Grahame. If I ever saw it it must have been back in the year dot.
Dix Steele had been in the American Air Force during World War 2, he was based in England but civilian life is difficult for him, he has serious mental problems, can’t stand any sort of noise and has been living off the hand-outs from a wealthy uncle. But now he has moved to Los Angeles and is staying in the apartment of Mel Terriss an old wartime acquaintance. Dix is supposedly writing a book and Terriss has moved to Rio for a while, leaving Dix with the use of everything of his, including his car and clothes!
Unknown to Dix another old wartime friend is living in the neighbourhood and when he bumps into Brub Nicolais Dix is surprised to discover that he is a detective. Brub is under quite a lot of stress as it seems there’s a serial killer operating in the area!
I really liked this one, particularly as the plot took a few unexpected turns – for me anyway.
I imagined all of the characters as being quite a bit younger than the people who were cast in the film. Much as I love Bogart he wouldn’t have been my choice to play Dix, he would have been too old, but that was common in Hollywood at that time, the male actors seemed to have much longer careers than the women and so were given parts that they were about 15 years too old for – or maybe the guys just looked older in those days!
I’ve only read her book The Expendable Man, which was excellent. Would be happy to read more of her work after that one.
Carol,
Thanks for that information, I’ll certainly look out for The Expendable Man.
I’ve just finished reading this book and enjoyed it too. I haven’t seen the film but I agree that a younger actor should have played Dix. If you want to read more by Dorothy B. Hughes, I also loved The Expendable Man and Ride the Pink Horse.
Helen,
I’ll look out for both of those ones. Thanks.
This one’s on my Classics Club list so I’m glad to hear you enjoyed it. I don’t remember the film either and yet I feel I must have seen it – my dad loved all these Hollywood noir films and that was back in the days when there was only one telly, so what he watched we all watched!
FictionFan,
Back in the 1960s and early 70s my dad and I watched the old films on TV – in black and white of course – every Saturday. I think they were on in the morning and afternoon. He had seen them all originally at the flicks of course! I loved them.
Very good review. I had a hard time describing the book without revealing too much but you did very well at that.
I enjoyed your comments about the ages of the characters in the book vs. the actors in the film, particularly Bogart. I saw the film after I read the book, sometime in 2021, and it was very good. Bogart was very convincing in the role, and the film is a bit different from the book. But Bogart did look old for that role.
tracybham,
Thanks, I find it difficult when reviewing crime and espionage books and often feel that I’ve barely covered anything of the book but I would hate to read something that gave away too much myself. Those Hollywood men were much luckier than the women I think. I remember even as a ten year old thinking it was a bit icky that as far as I was concerned the male in romances was about double the age of the female!