In this second Lew Archer novel, I can already see Macdonald developing as a writer. The mystery is more subtle and has more elements, the characters In this second Lew Archer novel, I can already see Macdonald developing as a writer. The mystery is more subtle and has more elements, the characters are richer and the plot takes longer to develop, even though it still contains plenty of action.
I also have to add a quick aside. These Archer novels reminded me of an old TV series called Mannix. My wife and I always used to laugh at Mannix, because he was guaranteed to get knocked out at least once per episode. The same thing seems to happen to Archer, and he is an obvious candidate for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy later in life.
In this story, Archer is asked by a seemingly upper class wife to track down who has written an anonymous letter claiming her husband is having an affair. Her real motives for getting Archer involved in her life, though, are much different, and won't become apparent for some time. When Archer finally arrives in the enclave where the family lives, he discovers a whole cast of irregular characters. There is the matriarch of the wealthy family, who will give the novel its title. There is the woman's husband, who lives off the family wealth and fancies himself an actor; there is the local sheriff, who is obviously smitten with the wife; there is the beautiful, willful daughter (this seems to be a stock Archer character), who has taken up with a ne'er-do-well Marine vet chauffeur, and then, eventually, there is an assortment of beautiful dames and smarmy bad guys.
It takes Archer a long time to unravel what is really going on in this case, and to do that, he has to engage in high speed car chases, violent confrontations and being trussed up at least twice.
I decided to start the Lew Archer novels from the beginning, and this was a good kickoff.
Private investigator Lou is brought in to solve the disappeaI decided to start the Lew Archer novels from the beginning, and this was a good kickoff.
Private investigator Lou is brought in to solve the disappearance of a wealthy eccentric named Ralph Sampson. Early on, Archer suspects that it's a kidnapping, and it gives nothing away to say that that is how the plot develops.
The intricacy comes from who is behind the kidnapping, combined with the classic den of thieves trope that none of them can really trust each other, which leads to several twists and turns as Archer tries to figure out what's going on.
And of course you get noir, with evocative phrases, a cynical but decent private eye, thugs, goons, alluring damsels and all the rest.
One other feature that stood out in this novel was his portrayal of one particular character, whom I won't name, who was shaped by his war experiences in World War II to become brutal and amoral, with a veneer of charm. It was an effective portrait.
A good start, confirming my belief that Macdonald is as good a writer as Chandler or Hammett, if not better...more
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