This is a two in one. Two tales in one set of covers.

Deadfall—
Scientist Paul Weston has finally landed a job and kept it for a length of time. Trying to re-establish his life after having it ruined by associating with a woman. A woman the FBI had labelled a Communist spy. He hasn't seen the woman in a long while and thinks things may be going right. But suddenly the FBI appear and stir up things and he is again out of a job.
He also finds out that many of the people around him are not what they purport to be. Who is really who they are supposed to be and who aren't? Spy? FBI? Friend? And what about the murder?

The Black Cross—
Hugh and Janet Phillips leave a house party. Both are a little tight. Janet insists on driving. She is upset with Hugh and critical with the people at the party. While driving she goes into her commentary and her speed seems to increase. Taking a curve she loses control and a nasty accident happens.
Was the accident staged? How, if it was? Are the witnesses honest? What makes Hugh feel that it was murder? Why does one of the lawmen say it can't be so and if it is not to persue it? Did Hugh imagine what he saw that makes him think it was murder? Why would anyone want to murder Janet?
Many questions and many twists and turns.

In both stories it seems all is not what it seems. ( )

This volume contains two novellas by Hamilton, first published in 1947 and 1949. The first, "Deadfall" is a rather standard tale of a chemist who was fired from a job for associating with a girl who was a Communist. Now, two years later, the FBI have shown up at his new workplace, and again he loses his job. More complications, not particularly believable, follow. There are some of the hallmarks of Hamilton's best work however, notably the hero who doesn't mind putting himself in harm's way for the sake of solving a mystery. (** 1/2 stars)

The second story, a bit longer, is much more effective. A man loses his wife in a car accident, but is convinced she was murdered on the side of the road. And then he starts to discover that she had a past he knew nothing about. To be honest, the plot is also pretty unbelievable, especially the circumstances surrounding the car accident, but the story is told very well and the characters are interesting, particularly the women. It all comes to a very exciting conclusion that is definitely a preview of some of the great stories Hamilton would go on to write. (*** 1/2 stars)

All in all, an enjoyable and quick read. ( )