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Carl Wilcox #1
MURDER
In Corden, South Dakota, the Depression's still on. Carl Wilcox tries to stay out of trouble, but the underbelly of corruption that a triple murder turns up shatters the precious respectability of Corden and its most respectable citizens.
- GenresMystery
Paperback
First published January 1, 1983
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
November 30, 2022
The first book in the Carl Wilcox series set in the small town of Corden, South Dakota. Set around the end of the Depression, Wilcox is an ex-convict who has returned to his hometown with a mind to get back on the straight and narrow but has no real solid goal in mind.
Fin Larsen has gone missing and Wilcox has been roped in by the local sheriff to help in seeking him out. The local judge is similarly minded to put him to work and orders him to gather a small crew to clean up the local fairground in readiness for a town fair.
Although he’s not a particularly well-liked man, when Fin Larsen goes missing in the town of Corden, everyone started talking. The talk didn’t exactly lead to finding the man, but through pure bad luck Wilcox and his crew managed to stumble across him while cleaning out the fairground barns.
If one wasn’t enough, pretty soon there have been a couple more murders and one of them came dangerously close to including Wilcox himself in the death toll.
It appears that Wilcox has drifted into his calling, showing an aptitude for investigation. He manages to sort his way through various puzzles, blind alleys and half-truths to put himself into a position to solve this small-town mystery.
Author Harold Adams has an easy, laconic writing style that captures the depression era tone perfectly. He also manages to paint the landscape with easy strokes using effective metaphors to vividly set the scene.
“He stood up, pulled his hat down to shade his eyes and squinted across the oval dirt track before us.There wasn’t a breath of air. I could’ve heard grasshoppers chewing if I were alone.”
Although there’s nothing especially notable in the book’s plot, it’s the character interaction with plenty of dry wit and caustic humour that gives it a boost. Adams captures the weary mood that has beaten down those who have come through the Depression with an ever-present underlying feeling of desperation making its presence felt.
Murder is the first book in the Carl Wilcox series and it’s a series that would end up being 16 books strong and includes 3 finalists for the Shamus Award, picking up Best Novel for The Man Who Was Taller Than God. I’m looking forward to enjoying more Carl Wilcox exploits in the near future.
Fin Larsen has gone missing and Wilcox has been roped in by the local sheriff to help in seeking him out. The local judge is similarly minded to put him to work and orders him to gather a small crew to clean up the local fairground in readiness for a town fair.
Although he’s not a particularly well-liked man, when Fin Larsen goes missing in the town of Corden, everyone started talking. The talk didn’t exactly lead to finding the man, but through pure bad luck Wilcox and his crew managed to stumble across him while cleaning out the fairground barns.
If one wasn’t enough, pretty soon there have been a couple more murders and one of them came dangerously close to including Wilcox himself in the death toll.
It appears that Wilcox has drifted into his calling, showing an aptitude for investigation. He manages to sort his way through various puzzles, blind alleys and half-truths to put himself into a position to solve this small-town mystery.
Author Harold Adams has an easy, laconic writing style that captures the depression era tone perfectly. He also manages to paint the landscape with easy strokes using effective metaphors to vividly set the scene.
“He stood up, pulled his hat down to shade his eyes and squinted across the oval dirt track before us.There wasn’t a breath of air. I could’ve heard grasshoppers chewing if I were alone.”
Although there’s nothing especially notable in the book’s plot, it’s the character interaction with plenty of dry wit and caustic humour that gives it a boost. Adams captures the weary mood that has beaten down those who have come through the Depression with an ever-present underlying feeling of desperation making its presence felt.
Murder is the first book in the Carl Wilcox series and it’s a series that would end up being 16 books strong and includes 3 finalists for the Shamus Award, picking up Best Novel for The Man Who Was Taller Than God. I’m looking forward to enjoying more Carl Wilcox exploits in the near future.
November 19, 2010
More than anything, this is a masterpiece of voice and setting. The author creates a memorable, droll protagonist, who ambles through a triple murder in a depression-era small town in South Dakota. As a mystery, the plot it fairly pedestrian, but the sense of time and place is palpable and make this a worthwhile read. The protagonist, Carl Wilcox, is also a memorable character: fresh out of jail, he's not quite on the "straight-and-narrow," but he's trying to do the right thing, more or less.
If you run across this one, definitely pick it up. It's the first in a series, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest.
If you run across this one, definitely pick it up. It's the first in a series, and I'm looking forward to reading the rest.
October 1, 2014
Not bad for the first book in the series. It took me a while to catch on that this book took place in the Depression. I liked the mystery and the characters.
August 27, 2010
PROTAGONIST: Carl Wilcox, ex-con
SETTING: South Dakota
SERIES: # 1 of many
RATING: 4.0
WHY: First in the series was published in 1981. Excellently complex protagonist, good plotting – a very good first book. I’ll be reading this series, for sure. I enjoy the style, dry wit and sarcasm. Carl Wilcox has returned to Corden, SD, after a prison stint and finds himself assisting the sheriff as various murders occur. He's a cynic who has a good heart underlying his rough exterior. A quite enjoyable read.
SETTING: South Dakota
SERIES: # 1 of many
RATING: 4.0
WHY: First in the series was published in 1981. Excellently complex protagonist, good plotting – a very good first book. I’ll be reading this series, for sure. I enjoy the style, dry wit and sarcasm. Carl Wilcox has returned to Corden, SD, after a prison stint and finds himself assisting the sheriff as various murders occur. He's a cynic who has a good heart underlying his rough exterior. A quite enjoyable read.
January 3, 2016
I was a bit apprehensive about this book as I had read No Badge, and No Gun and Lead, so I Can Follow both of which enjoyed the Hazel, the smart, beautiful, librarian. However, I needn't have been concerned.
In the story, Carl Wilcox finds himself searching for the murder of a rather unpleasant man, followed on quickly by another murder, and another, an attempt on Carl's life, from there it just gets more and more involved. Not to worry, there is a lovely lady you can love.
So, I have read three and I look forward to some more meetings with Mr Wilcox.
In the story, Carl Wilcox finds himself searching for the murder of a rather unpleasant man, followed on quickly by another murder, and another, an attempt on Carl's life, from there it just gets more and more involved. Not to worry, there is a lovely lady you can love.
So, I have read three and I look forward to some more meetings with Mr Wilcox.
October 1, 2018
Harold Adams created a great series set in the South Dakota Iowa area during middle of the 20th century. Carl Wilcox is one of my favorite sleuths. I don't think that there's a clinker in any of the books. Read this series.
August 11, 2022
Set in South Dakota during the depression and while the main character uses terms considered racist nowadays he had the same attitude as three out of four of my grandparents who were living in that area at the time, namely that people are people whatever their color and you judge them as individuals.
I found the machismo tiresome but aside from that the book was well written, the female characters were well rounded, and the story moved along sprightly.
This is a terrible cover for a number of reasons and if I'd been the author I would have crowned the artist.
I found the machismo tiresome but aside from that the book was well written, the female characters were well rounded, and the story moved along sprightly.
This is a terrible cover for a number of reasons and if I'd been the author I would have crowned the artist.
June 28, 2018
I found an author from my home state, South Dakota! And, it takes place in S.D......who'd a thunk? :) Taking place back in the depression era, ex-con, Carl is back in his hometown. Not a real bad guy, was just trying to help out a lady down on her luck (probably to get in her knickers), so he tries to pull off a robbery to help her out. Has a pulp/noir feel to it and a good sense of place, in a '30's dusty Midwest town. Fun little mystery. 3.5
June 19, 2016
Protagonist has a great last name (Wilcox) which led to me buying this series. First in a series of mysteries set back in the Depression. The protagonist is an ex-com with a way with the ladies. He is suspected after a person he angered ends up dead from a pitchfork into his throat. Wilcox gets drawn into the investigation since he is a suspect and more murders occur. Good writing and atmosphere but overall may not be too memorable. Good start for a series though
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews