Best of
Crime

1957

Cape Fear


John D. MacDonald - 1957
    He lived only for the day he would be free—free to track down and destroy the man who had put him behind bars.Murder was merciful compared to what Cady had in mind—and what Cady had in mind was Bowden's innocent and lovely teenaged daughter...."A powerful and frightening story." —The New York Times

Death Trap


John D. MacDonald - 1957
    When they found a suspect, everyone relaxed except Hugh MacReedy. Maybe he should have stayed out of it, but MacReedy owed a big debt to the patsy they were sending to the electric chair in a week. And he would have stayed out of it, if he'd known what his chances were of coming out alive . . .

The Empty Trap


John D. MacDonald - 1957
    When he’s hired to build and run the Green Oasis resort, he doesn’t know too much about the pedigree of its owner—and he doesn’t want to. He won’t ask any questions. Just as long as the place is legit and he can run it clean as a whistle. But when trouble checks in, skimming from the casino’s tills is the least of Lloyd’s concerns. The quiet elegance of the hotel lobby turns out to be crawling with contract guns. And after one look from a beautiful woman, Lloyd realizes that he’s about to get some hard answers to the questions he never asked.

Fire in the Flesh


David Goodis - 1957
    She knew he had a terrible secret and she know he needed help. She knew something was tormenting him.But even Cora, in her dimly lit room, couldn't make Blazer forget.

Run For the Money (Prologue Books)


Robert Colby - 1957
    He had no money, no girl and a lousy job. Then he found $300,000 in stolen cash. But his brief fling in paradise was shattered by the two vicious hoods who wanted the money back. They gave him a choice: return the cash or they’d carve Iris up into little pieces and feed her to the fish. It was his move.

Walk With Evil


Robert Wilder - 1957
    Valenti, the ex-gangland boss who once ruled the most brutal empire in the underworld. For him the money had become an obsession -- a million-dollar ticket back to power.Then tough young reporter Jeff Martin uncovered the gangster's secret. And now the innocent as well as the guilt were caught in its deadly net. For with Valenti came dark shadows from the past. Jeff knew that the truth would ruin the girl he loved. But for a guy like Jeff there was no choice.the day Valenti sailed into Redemption Cay marked the end of a desperate dream -- and the beginning of a million-dollar nightmare.