Honey in His Mouth

It takes 79 pages to find out what this book is about! A few people want to find a physical double for El Presidente of their country. And it’s an American named Walter Harsh.

And guess what? I'm kind of sorry that I found out! It really is a mess of a book, with an unlikeable main character and, well, actually, they are all unlikeable! I think this was supposed to be like Prince and the Pauper, but it isn't very good. I wish I could have found a physical double to finish this nonsense for me!

A trunk novel from 1956, Honey in his Mouth reads like crime novels of the period, although less polished. Lacking a specific geography and name, the president of a South American country is being set up for a double cross by a cadre of flat characters who represent his trusted advisers. Enter strangely-named Walter Harsh, who bears a close resemblance to the president, but is little more than a woman-beating con artist. Although deeply contrived, it's still pretty easy to see how it all must end. It might have been better to leave this particular novel in the trunk, or at least have someone whip it into shape.

This noir thriller is one of Lester Dent's solo novel projects. Most famous for the Doc Savage series, Dent was an accomplished author who knew how to wind up the tension and put his characters through their paces. Though this is a slow-boil, it gets going well and is true to its protagonist's name: Harsh. Walter Harsh is not a pleasant person, and, justly, neither are his companions or the unfolding of his life. It is always about choices. Dent proves he can thoroughly burn down a house with this tale.