Death Trap

Another great crime thriller from John D. MacDonald. This one concerns a man returning to a town he left a few years back. He reads a news story that the brother of an old flame who he treated badly has been convicted of murder and is set to be executed. He rekindles his romance and sets to prove the young man innocent before his pending execution.

This was a good one with secrets from the past haunting characters long after the tragic events of the past--a bit in the vein of Ross Macdonald.

I didn't love the inclusion of hypnotism as a defining plot point, though I can't complain too much as hypnotism was used by real life law enforcement agencies for decades after this book was written. The denouement involves tricking a confession out show more a suspect--not the best way to resolve things, either. Still the story itself was solid and this was a very entertaining read. show less

A story about some drifter/thieves trying to steal a million dollars from a retired doctor foolish enough to keep his money in a safe in his home. Many lives are impacted by the theft and that is the evil of the title. Not a gripping thriller but still drew me in.

This is JDM in his prime, utilizing his characterizations most masterfully.