The Bride Wore Black (1940)

One by one, men are dying horrible deaths, but these deaths aren't random. Though the men seem to have no connection to each other, each was last seen in the company of a woman, whether a blonde or brunette, stunning or just pretty, there was always a woman around when the guy died. Detective Wanger picks up the case a week after the first death and wants to meet these mysterious women.

This was published in 1941 and Woolrich is a very good representation of crime noir writing at the height of its popularity. This book was filmed by Francois Truffaut in the 60's and his story Rear Window was the basis for the Hitchcock film. I'll be seeking out more from him. ( )

Woolrich has always intrigued with his strange, elevated prose and his eleborate plots depending on strange twists of fate.
This was my first and I remeber it the most distinctly. A distinctive read that made me an instant Woolrich fan. ( )

A very interesting idea but not well executed despite generally compelling prose on the part of a very good writer. The plot just has too many loopholes and the revelations at the end don't have the impact they should given that they are they are not foreshadowed. The detective also seems a little slow on the uptake -- he thinks the murders are connected, but doesn't do much to connect their victims until the very end. For a much more interesting (and disturbing) look at a female killer, try Marc Behm's Eye of the Beholder. ( )

One of the coolest stories of revenge I've ever read. It is like reading a noir film; recommended. ( )