Books matching: femme fatale
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- #1
Save:A cornerstone of noir fiction - gritty, clever, and still influential, though its old-school style and hard-boiled attitude may not be for everyone.
The Maltese Falcon is a classic noir novel set in San Francisco, revolving around private detective Sam Spade who takes on a case involving a valuable black statuette of a bird. As the mystery unfolds, Spade navigates through a web of lies and deceit while dealing with dangerous adversaries and mysterious motives. The writing style is described as gritty, fast-paced, and filled with witty dialogue, creating a world where characters like Spade and the femme fatale Brigid O'Shaughnessy come to life in a story that explores themes of obsession, loyalty, and justice.
Samuel Spade’s jaw was long and bony, his chin a jutting v under the more flexible v of his mouth. His nostrils curved back to make another, smaller, v. His yellow-grey eyes were horizontal. The v mot...1929•241 pages - #2
Save:Lean, mean, and devastating - this is noir at its absolute best. A must-read for crime fans and anyone wanting to see what all the noir fuss is about!
In 'Double Indemnity', insurance salesman Walter Huff becomes entangled with the femme fatale Phyllis Nirdlinger, leading to a plot to murder her husband for the insurance money. The story unfolds with intricate murder plots, double crosses, and a dark, twisted tale of crime set in 1930s Los Angeles. Written in a hard-boiled style, the book delves into themes of murder, betrayal, revenge, and questions about human nature, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.
I drove out to Glendale to put three new truck drivers on a brewery company bond, and then I remembered this renewal over in Hollywoodland. I decided to run over there. That was how I came to this Hou...1936•126 pages - #3
Save:An atmospheric blend of noir and supernatural horror that's perfect for fans of dark mysteries and moody art. Not for everyone, but unforgettable for those who love the style!
Death Chases Me, the first book in the Fatale series by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, blends horror, mystery, and noir in a story that follows Nicolas Lash, a present-day family friend of a deceased novelist, who encounters an ageless woman named Josephine. The narrative also delves into 1956, where the same enigmatic woman crosses paths with a reporter named Hank Raines, leading to a tale of secrets, deaths, and a blend of noir and Lovecraftian horror. The book's art by Sean Phillips sets a dark and mysterious mood reminiscent of a film noir, complementing Brubaker's intricate storytelling that weaves together elements of crime, mystery, and the occult.
July 2012•144 pages - #4
Save:A moody, layered noir brimming with secrets and simmering tension - unpredictable, morally complex, and totally unputdownable if you like your mysteries dark and character-driven.
'Sunburn' by Laura Lippman follows the story of Polly Costello, a mysterious woman with a troubled past, who leaves her family and ends up in a small town in Delaware. There, she meets Adam, a private investigator hired to follow her, and as they become emotionally involved, their secrets gradually unravel. The plot unfolds slowly, revealing layers of deception, betrayal, and unexpected twists reminiscent of classic noir fiction. Lippman's writing style intricately weaves details about the characters' pasts, motivations, and relationships, creating a compelling and suspenseful narrative that keeps readers engrossed until the surprising conclusion.
It’s the sunburned shoulders that get him. Pink, peeling. The burn is two days old, he gauges. Earned on Friday, painful to the touch yesterday, today an itchy soreness that’s hard not to keep fingeri...February 2018•384 pages A compelling noir drama dripping with atmosphere and obsessive love - Woolrich at his moody best, though you’ll need patience for the pacing and a taste for murky motives!
Waltz Into Darkness by William Irish (Cornell Woolrich) is a dark suspense novel set in the late nineteenth century American South, portraying a tale of obsessive passion, criminality, amorality, and violence in a long-distance epistolary romance gone terribly wrong. The story follows Louis Durant, a businessman hoping to marry a mail-order bride, who falls victim to the charms of a beautiful young woman named Julia, leading to a downward spiral of deception, betrayal, and tragic consequences. Woolrich's writing style is described as wryly observant, with a fundamentally cynical view of human nature, particularly women's deviousness and men's foolishness and lust, creating a noir atmosphere that keeps readers engaged until the unexpected redemptive ending.
In his bachelor quarters on St. Charles Street, Louis Durand was getting dressed. Not for the first time that day, for the sun was already high and he’d been up and about for hours; but for the great...1947•330 pages- #6
Save:A gritty, twisting noir classic - dark, complex, and unforgettable. Not for everyone, but a bold favorite for fans of intense crime fiction.
In the noir history of Los Angeles, the unsolved murder mystery of Elizabeth Short, also known as the Black Dahlia, takes center stage. The book portrays a fictionalized account of the investigation carried out by LAPD cops Bucky Bleichert and Lee Blanchard, delving into the dark and twisted world of post-war Los Angeles. As the detectives navigate through police brutality, corruption, and personal entanglements, the story unfolds with elements of passion, deceit, and psychological tension, capturing the essence of the times and the characters involved.
The narrative follows Bucky Bleichert's relentless pursuit of the truth behind the Black Dahlia murder, intertwining it with his personal struggles and obsessions. Set against the backdrop of a seedy and corrupt Hollywood, the book presents a complex and gritty portrayal of the era, showcasing engaging character development, vivid descriptions, and a compelling plot filled with twists and turns that keep readers enthralled throughout the dark and eerie tale.
I was coming off a long tour of duty spent in a speed trap on Bunker Hill, preying on traffic violators. My ticket book was full and my brain was numb from eight hours of following my eyes across the...1987•355 pages - #7
Save:A vintage noir gem - tense, stylish, and loaded with literary flair. If you want a suspenseful, cerebral thriller with a psychological edge, "The Big Clock" delivers.
The Big Clock by Kenneth Fearing is a noir novel set in the NYC publishing world of the 1940s. The story follows George Stroud, a man who works for a conglomerate and gets entangled in a conspiracy when he has an affair with his boss's girlfriend, who ends up murdered. As George tries to prove his innocence, a cat and mouse game ensues, leading to a tense and suspenseful narrative. The book is narrated from multiple first-person viewpoints, adding complexity to the plot and creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. The writing style combines elements of thriller, noir, and social satire, keeping readers hooked as the story unfolds.
I FIRST met Pauline Delos at one of those substantial parties Earl Janoth liked to give every two or three months, attended by members of the staff, his personal friends, private moguls, and public no...January 1946•200 pages - #8
Save:A must-read for noir and crime fans who want to see where modern detective fiction began, but may not wow those seeking deep characters or fresh twists. Still, it’s classic hardboiled fun.
'The Continental Op' by Dashiell Hammett is a collection of short stories featuring the hard-boiled detective known as the Continental Operative. Set in San Francisco in the 1920s, the stories follow the Op as he navigates through various cases involving deception, violence, and intrigue. Hammett's writing style is described as crisp, descriptive, and authentic, drawing from his own experience working for the Pinkerton Detective Agency. The plots often involve the Op chasing down leads, solving crimes, and dealing with a cast of characters ranging from devious dames to ham-fisted mugs.
1930•319 pages - #9
Save:A lushly written, moody noir that demands patience but rewards it with a haunting, twisty ride - perfect for fans of dark psychological thrillers and literary mysteries.
San Francisco toxicologist Caleb Maddox finds himself entangled in a web of obsession and mystery after a chance encounter with the alluring Emmeline. As Caleb investigates a series of gruesome killings, his own dark past resurfaces, leading to a chilling revelation that connects all the threads of the story. The narrative unfolds in the dead of night, amidst fog and rain, creating a noir mystery filled with suspense and psychological horror. Jonathan Moore's writing style paints a vivid picture of San Francisco, adding depth to the eerie atmosphere and complex characters like Caleb and Emmeline.
AFTER HE CHECKED in and got up to his room, Caleb stood in front of the full-length mirror screwed to the bathroom door and looked at his forehead. In the back of the cab he’d stopped the bleeding by...December 2016•304 pages - #10
Save:A wickedly cool, blood-soaked French noir with a killer heroine and plenty of bite - ideal for noir lovers, but its deadpan brutality won't charm everyone.
Fatale by Jean-Patrick Manchette is a fast-paced French noir thriller centered around Aimee Joubert, a cold-hearted assassin who infiltrates elite society in a small seaside town to exploit their secrets and rivalries for profit. The novella delves into Aimee's calculated schemes and her interactions with the town's wealthy citizens, leading to a bloody and chaotic conclusion that showcases elements of absurd humor and dark drama.
THE HUNTERS were six in number, men mostly fifty or older, but also two younger ones with sarcastic expressions. They all wore check shirts, sheepskin jackets, waterproof khaki trench coats, more or l...1972•116 pages
