There are plenty of reasons Hitchcock’s films are considered classic, even genius. But often overlooked is the fact that they were nearly always based on books. Two are again available in print.
REVIEW: She Left
It’s a better than average thriller, with a smart protagonist and a cracking mystery. There are psychological complications, a dusting of clues, well-drawn characters and a quickly moving plot.
REVIEW: Death of an Author
Lorac is the pen name of Edith Caroline Rivett who wrote dozens of novels from the 1930s – 1950s. Death of an Author pulls from her inside publishing knowledge to set up this snappy mystery novel.
REVIEW: In The Fog
On a rainy, late Victorian evening in London, a group of men sit in their club, bemoaning the fact that a bill they oppose will pass in Parliament that night. Then, they notice Sir Andrew, the bill’s main supporter, is across the room and they hatch a Scheherazade plan to distract him until the vote is over.
REVIEW: Crook O’ Lune
What begins as a spate of sheep-stealing, escalates to arson and murder. Luckily for the villagers, Inspector MacDonald is visiting the area as he considers buying property ahead of his retirement from the police force. His attempt to remain on vacation doesn’t last long as he begins to assist local authorities in their inquiry.