What do you think?
Rate this book
Frank Terrell #2
The Way the Cookie Crumbles
In the millionaire’s playground of Paradise City, the sinister Ticky Edris is planning the perfect heist. It’s taken him years to set up a bank robbery in broad daylight, and with only two accomplices needed: a smooth con man and a smart beautiful blonde. As Ticky’s plan gets put into action, luck is on his side, but as people start dying and disappearing, detective Tom Lepski picks up the trail. Suddenly, Ticky’s plan is in danger, and if there is one thing he didn’t count on, it was the personalities of the very people who are most vital to his plan.
193 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1965
33 people are currently reading
979 people want to read
About the author
James Hadley Chase
649 books997 followersRené Lodge Brabazon Raymond was born on 24th December 1906 in London, England, the son of Colonel Francis Raymond of the colonial Indian Army, a veterinary surgeon. His father intended his son to have a scientific career, was initially educated at King's School, Rochester, Kent. He left home at the age of 18 and became at different times a children's encyclopedia salesman, a salesman in a bookshop, and executive for a book wholesaler before turning to a writing career that produced more than 90 mystery books. His interests included photography (he was up to professional standard), reading and listening to classical music, being a particularly enthusiastic opera lover. Also as a form of relaxation between novels, he put together highly complicated and sophisticated Meccano models.
In 1932, Raymond married Sylvia Ray, who gave him a son. They were together until his death fifty three years later. Prohibition and the ensuing US Great Depression (1929–1939), had given rise to the Chicago gangster culture just prior to World War II. This, combined with her book trade experience, made him realise that there was a big demand for gangster stories. He wrote as R. Raymond, James Hadley Chase, James L. Docherty, Ambrose Grant and Raymond Marshall.
During World War II he served in the Royal Air Force, achieving the rank of Squadron Leader. Chase edited the RAF Journal with David Langdon and had several stories from it published after the war in the book Slipstream: A Royal Air Force Anthology.
Raymond moved to France in 1956 and then to Switzerland in 1969, living a secluded life in Corseaux-sur-Vevey, on Lake Geneva, from 1974. He eventually died there peacefully on 6 February 1985.
In 1932, Raymond married Sylvia Ray, who gave him a son. They were together until his death fifty three years later. Prohibition and the ensuing US Great Depression (1929–1939), had given rise to the Chicago gangster culture just prior to World War II. This, combined with her book trade experience, made him realise that there was a big demand for gangster stories. He wrote as R. Raymond, James Hadley Chase, James L. Docherty, Ambrose Grant and Raymond Marshall.
During World War II he served in the Royal Air Force, achieving the rank of Squadron Leader. Chase edited the RAF Journal with David Langdon and had several stories from it published after the war in the book Slipstream: A Royal Air Force Anthology.
Raymond moved to France in 1956 and then to Switzerland in 1969, living a secluded life in Corseaux-sur-Vevey, on Lake Geneva, from 1974. He eventually died there peacefully on 6 February 1985.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 23, 2021
Ticky Edris,the dwarf and Phil Alger,the conman devise a plan to rob one of the safest banks in the world.They have a beautiful blonde as an accomplice.They'll stop at nothing,not even multiple murder.
A junkie call girl is murdered,and so is her school girl daughter.Her father is the vice president of the bank.
Then,detective Tom Lepski gets on their trail.Non stop action,plenty of thrills.
Chase at his best.
4.5 stars
A junkie call girl is murdered,and so is her school girl daughter.Her father is the vice president of the bank.
Then,detective Tom Lepski gets on their trail.Non stop action,plenty of thrills.
Chase at his best.
4.5 stars
July 24, 2017
In the mogul's play area of Paradise City, the evil Ticky Edris is arranging the ideal heist. It's taken him years to set up a bank theft without trying to hide, and with just two associates required: a smooth extortionist and a savvy lovely blonde. As Ticky's arrangement gets put enthusiastically, fortunes is his ally, yet as individuals begin kicking the bucket and vanishing, analyst Tom Lepski gets the trail. All of a sudden, Ticky's arrangement is in risk, and if there is one thing he didn't rely on, it was the identities of the very individuals who are most crucial to his arrangement.
December 18, 2020
These J. Hadley Chase novels are mesmerizing. Filled with anachronisms, cultural malapropisms, and a checklist of situations and passages that must have offended people left and right, even back in 1965, when The Way the Cookie Crumbles appeared. First, what's the deal with meat pies? No meat pies in America! And you couldn't fly to Cuba from the US in 1965. What's a trafficator? Not in the US. It's one thing after another. And James Hadley Chase doesn't care! It's wonderful.
Meanwhile, this story is a masterpiece at showing how criminal minds unravel along with their plans and plot. No heroes, here. And the protagonist doesn't even clearly emerge until the third or fourth chapter. This is really good stuff.
Meanwhile, this story is a masterpiece at showing how criminal minds unravel along with their plans and plot. No heroes, here. And the protagonist doesn't even clearly emerge until the third or fourth chapter. This is really good stuff.
September 18, 2013
This is a typical Chase theme with lots of planning , impersonation and double cross with greed and murder thrown in.
The ending is a little predictable as Chase believed in good over evil type climaxes. The titles are the main attractions is Chase books..This and "the paw in the bottle", "try this one for size", "have a change of scene" etc as examples..All with curious and attractive titles!..This one: "The way the cookie crumbles " means 'the way things worked out or panned out' in normal usage.
Where this novel distinguishes itself from others is the human element in the heroine character, who gets transformed mentally coming from a hard criminal background to a comfortable and loving warmth of family as a part of the story.
All in all...a good read on a lazy evening
The ending is a little predictable as Chase believed in good over evil type climaxes. The titles are the main attractions is Chase books..This and "the paw in the bottle", "try this one for size", "have a change of scene" etc as examples..All with curious and attractive titles!..This one: "The way the cookie crumbles " means 'the way things worked out or panned out' in normal usage.
Where this novel distinguishes itself from others is the human element in the heroine character, who gets transformed mentally coming from a hard criminal background to a comfortable and loving warmth of family as a part of the story.
All in all...a good read on a lazy evening
June 21, 2025
With The Way the Cookie Crumbles, James Hadley Chase gives us one of his more ironic, almost bitterly comedic titles—because this cookie? Oh, it crumbles like bone under pressure.
At the centre of this dark tale is Harry Ricks, a charming but slimy television producer with more ambition than morals. He’s successful, stylish, and dangerously bored—which in Chase’s world is always a red flag. Harry sets his sights on Helen Dester, a stunning, manipulative actress with secrets of her own and no scruples about using seduction as a weapon.
What follows is a game of manipulation, betrayal, and murder, where every character is playing a long con, but no one quite knows who’s pulling the final string. Harry thinks he’s directing the show—but he’s the puppet. And Helen? She’s not acting—she’s orchestrating.
Chase’s writing is, as always, lean, lethal, and mercilessly cynical. The suspense builds not through violence but through atmosphere: quiet phone calls, coded glances, unfinished conversations dripping with danger. This isn’t a guns-blazing thriller—it’s a slow dance toward destruction, and you’re holding hands with someone who smiles just before they push you off a cliff.
I read this one late at night during a power cut—my torch’s battery flickering like Helen’s lies. The mood was eerie: ceiling fan motionless, sweat trickling down my neck, and the book pages glowing in the torchlight like whispers in the dark. By the end, I had that weird feeling—not sadness, not shock, but that strange cold satisfaction when a terrible ending feels utterly earned. Chase didn’t give me hope. He gave me closure—with a smirk.
It reminded me of those real-life news stories you hear and go, “Wow, you really thought you’d get away with that?” This book is that feeling. Except better written.
In essence, The Way the Cookie Crumbles is a masterclass in moral decay, wrapped in velvet and tied with a poisoned ribbon. It’s about the cost of cleverness when the stakes are life and legacy. Chase reminds us: there’s always a bill to pay—and sometimes, it's paid in blood.
At the centre of this dark tale is Harry Ricks, a charming but slimy television producer with more ambition than morals. He’s successful, stylish, and dangerously bored—which in Chase’s world is always a red flag. Harry sets his sights on Helen Dester, a stunning, manipulative actress with secrets of her own and no scruples about using seduction as a weapon.
What follows is a game of manipulation, betrayal, and murder, where every character is playing a long con, but no one quite knows who’s pulling the final string. Harry thinks he’s directing the show—but he’s the puppet. And Helen? She’s not acting—she’s orchestrating.
Chase’s writing is, as always, lean, lethal, and mercilessly cynical. The suspense builds not through violence but through atmosphere: quiet phone calls, coded glances, unfinished conversations dripping with danger. This isn’t a guns-blazing thriller—it’s a slow dance toward destruction, and you’re holding hands with someone who smiles just before they push you off a cliff.
I read this one late at night during a power cut—my torch’s battery flickering like Helen’s lies. The mood was eerie: ceiling fan motionless, sweat trickling down my neck, and the book pages glowing in the torchlight like whispers in the dark. By the end, I had that weird feeling—not sadness, not shock, but that strange cold satisfaction when a terrible ending feels utterly earned. Chase didn’t give me hope. He gave me closure—with a smirk.
It reminded me of those real-life news stories you hear and go, “Wow, you really thought you’d get away with that?” This book is that feeling. Except better written.
In essence, The Way the Cookie Crumbles is a masterclass in moral decay, wrapped in velvet and tied with a poisoned ribbon. It’s about the cost of cleverness when the stakes are life and legacy. Chase reminds us: there’s always a bill to pay—and sometimes, it's paid in blood.
May 25, 2021
Τρεις αδίστακτοι κακοποιοί συνεργάζονται για να κλέψουν μια τράπεζα. Ξεκινά με σφίξιμο στο στομάχι λόγω ενός αποτρόπαιου εγκλήματος, ασυνήθιστο για Τσαίηζ, συνεχίζει ευχάριστα με πίτσα, κόκα κόλα και ηλεκτρονικό υπολογιστή (ενώ βρισκόμαστε στο 1965!) και αναμένεται ένα συναρπαστικό δεύτερο μισό.
Η έχθρα μεταξύ των κακοποιών, μια μέλλουσα περιπλοκή και το γενικό αδιέξοδο που πλανάται είναι μερικά από τα δυνατά χαρτιά.
Υπάρχει ένα θεματάκι με τα περισσότερα βιβλία του J.C.
Δεν μπόρεσα ποτέ να βάλω ένα φρένο όταν τα ξεκινάω. Συνήθως αρχίζω έχοντας τη σκέψη να ασχοληθώ με την ανάγνωση κάποιες συγκεκριμένες ώρες. Τι πλάνη! Το κουμάντο τόχει αποκλειστικά ο συγγραφέας.
Μοιραία συμπαρασύρονται όλες οι δουλειές πίσω κι αυτό κάθε άλλο παρά ευχάριστο είναι σε μια απαιτητική καθημερινότητα. Ευτυχώς που στην συγκεκριμένη περίπτωση το "θύμα" ήταν ο πολυφημισμένος S.King(!) με το βιβλίο που είχα ήδη ξεκινήσει. Η νυσταλέα "νεκρή ζώνη" του με ώθησε στην "απιστία" και θάναι επιτυχία αν επιστρέψω τελικά.
Συμπερασματικά, συνιστώ πολλή προσοχή σε όσους τύχει κάποια στιγμή να ξεκινήσουν κάποιο έργο του. Νάχουν όσο χρόνο χρειάζεται για να το τελειώσουν επειδή ο Τσαίηζ θα τους κρατήσει όμηρους μέχρι το τέλος. Οι ιστορίες του είναι ξεμυαλίστρες!
ΒΙΠΕΡ Νο. 916
Μετάφραση: Τασσώ Καββαδία
Η έχθρα μεταξύ των κακοποιών, μια μέλλουσα περιπλοκή και το γενικό αδιέξοδο που πλανάται είναι μερικά από τα δυνατά χαρτιά.
Υπάρχει ένα θεματάκι με τα περισσότερα βιβλία του J.C.
Δεν μπόρεσα ποτέ να βάλω ένα φρένο όταν τα ξεκινάω. Συνήθως αρχίζω έχοντας τη σκέψη να ασχοληθώ με την ανάγνωση κάποιες συγκεκριμένες ώρες. Τι πλάνη! Το κουμάντο τόχει αποκλειστικά ο συγγραφέας.
Μοιραία συμπαρασύρονται όλες οι δουλειές πίσω κι αυτό κάθε άλλο παρά ευχάριστο είναι σε μια απαιτητική καθημερινότητα. Ευτυχώς που στην συγκεκριμένη περίπτωση το "θύμα" ήταν ο πολυφημισμένος S.King(!) με το βιβλίο που είχα ήδη ξεκινήσει. Η νυσταλέα "νεκρή ζώνη" του με ώθησε στην "απιστία" και θάναι επιτυχία αν επιστρέψω τελικά.
Συμπερασματικά, συνιστώ πολλή προσοχή σε όσους τύχει κάποια στιγμή να ξεκινήσουν κάποιο έργο του. Νάχουν όσο χρόνο χρειάζεται για να το τελειώσουν επειδή ο Τσαίηζ θα τους κρατήσει όμηρους μέχρι το τέλος. Οι ιστορίες του είναι ξεμυαλίστρες!
ΒΙΠΕΡ Νο. 916
Μετάφραση: Τασσώ Καββαδία
December 22, 2020
This is my 4'th Hadley Chase thriller. I haven't seen this much emotion in his thriller previously. The more story advanced, my feelings was growing for Ira. The transformation of her character is huge. And if I talk about Ticky Edris, oh man!! He is the sinister little figure of evil. He resembles a smaller version of Michael Scofield [from Prison Break]. Obviously in a negative way. Seriously I've never seen such dedication of a character towards money. His plan was "sweetest set up for the Big Take ever dream up" i.e. perfect. In one conversation with Algir he said "I'll wait two more years if I have to to get this perfect". These two character really amazed me. And about Jess - I hate him. Algir was okay, but I surprised to see how could a con-man like him have a short temper? I wished for a happy ending, but that's not Hadley Chase's thing. Every deed has a consequence. In that way, it was a perfect end. Overall it's a really good thriller.
March 26, 2025
This was my first James Hardley Chase novel and it's funny looking back at how I got to read it 🤣. I wasn't allowed to read adult books back then but that didn't stop me from sneaking it out from my dad's study. I love the thrill I got from reading this book and sadly I'm missing that spark in modern day thrillers 😥.
April 8, 2025
Fairly fast-paced detective novel. Like watching an old '70s episode of Mannix or something. I have a feeling the primary points of purchase were airport book stores back in the day. It was a fun, pulpy read that I would recommend. However, be sure to bring your suspension of disbelief.
July 31, 2017
Daha iyi bir Tükçeyi hak ediyordu.
Read
June 19, 2022This is rubbish why can't I read it
July 1, 2022
Освагунанк.
June 19, 2023
Very interesting novel
August 28, 2023
A machiavelivic dwarf imagine the perfect plan to rob the safest bank. But the cookie will crumble... One of JHC best stories.
July 16, 2025
A great read, but, as with many other novels by Chase, a rushed finale.
January 30, 2021
ஓர் குள்ளன் (டிக்கி எட்ரிஸ்) தன் சுயநலத்திற்காக பேங���கை கொள்ளையடிக்க திட்டமிடுகிறான். அதற்கு துணையாக திடகாத்திரமான வாலிபனையும் (அல்கிர்), துடுக்குத்தனமான அழகிய இளம்பெண்ணையும் (ஐரா) சேர்த்துக் கொள்கிறான். திட்டமிட்டபடி கொள்ளை நடக்கும் சமயம் இளம்பெண் பரிசுத்தமான தந்தை(மெல் டிவோன்) பாசத்தால் மனமாறுகிறாள். மேலும் இந்த கொள்ளைகாக குள்ளன் தன் அக்காவையும் (முரியல் மார்ஷ் டிவோன்) தன் அக்கா பெண்ணையும் (நொரீனா) கொன்றிருப்பது தெரிந்ததும் முழுமையாக பின்வாங்கி விடுகிறாள்.
துப்பு துலக்கி போலீஸ் அவர்களை நெருங்கிய போது அல்கிரை குள்ளன் கொன்றிருந்தான். ஐரா தன் தந்தையாக ஏற்று கொண்டிருந்த அக்கா கணவருக்கு மன்னிப்புக்கோரி உருக்கமான கடிதத்தை எழுதி வைத்துவிட்டு கடலில் இறங்கி மூச்சிருக்கும் வரை நீந்தி கொண்டிருந்தாள்.
துப்பு துலக்கி போலீஸ் அவர்களை நெருங்கிய போது அல்கிரை குள்ளன் கொன்றிருந்தான். ஐரா தன் தந்தையாக ஏற்று கொண்டிருந்த அக்கா கணவருக்கு மன்னிப்புக்கோரி உருக்கமான கடிதத்தை எழுதி வைத்துவிட்டு கடலில் இறங்கி மூச்சிருக்கும் வரை நீந்தி கொண்டிருந்தாள்.
April 17, 2010
"This hansome con-man Phil Agri his wholly no faith bcos the way he kill Norena the daughter of the vice president of the bank but Ticky Edris, the mis-shapen dwarf he's the one initiate the plan and by the end Beigler and Hess told him "you made plans; you played your cards right, then some slope spoils it all." Ticky Edris said half aloud " It's the way the cookie crumbles"
November 22, 2013
This is another ripper of JHC, Ticky, a dwarf, Philly, a handsome con man, a crafty plan to rob the safest bank in the world. Add in a junkie prostitute, her school girl daughter her father the vice president of the bank, When they all come together in a millionaires playground the plot gets trickier by the chapter and you just can't stop reading;
July 23, 2012
This is one of Chase's best...
September 14, 2012
Great weaving of the storyline. . .
September 5, 2016
One of my all time favorites of James Hadley Chase. Engaging and fast paced...thoroughly enjoyable.
August 24, 2015
A good, fast-paced page turner.
May 2, 2016
Read it as a child. One of his best. Story of an intelligent con.
October 4, 2018
Zezačátku se mi to moc nezdálo, ale postupně se případ rozběhl do pěkných obrátek. Jsem ráda i za trochu otevřený konec.
Myslím, že budu mít dalšího oblíbeného detektivního autora.
Myslím, že budu mít dalšího oblíbeného detektivního autora.
December 16, 2020
A compelling story
Chase's knowledge of the American society in the past is quite extensive and he proves it once again with this thriller placed in Paradise City, Florida, a city that he invented.
Chase's knowledge of the American society in the past is quite extensive and he proves it once again with this thriller placed in Paradise City, Florida, a city that he invented.
Read
December 18, 2014one of the best by this aouther!
Read
November 11, 2016I am enjoying this thriller.
Read
October 3, 2017They don't tell em like they ysed to.
March 16, 2018
It makes a good reason not go out on a wishful thinking....on a very serious not, being a bank robber is no child game.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews