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The Slasher
Lieutenant Sam Johnson sat listening intently as the police psychologist spoke. “I’m afraid we’re dealing with another sex crime. There’s no question about it—think of how the bodies were mutilated. Also this killer will strike without reason or motive, and he will strike again and again until his morbid sexual desires are satisfied.”
Lieutenant Johnson, the most experienced detective on the force, leaned forward. “And I’ll tell you something, Doctor,” he said. “We know this is man is big and powerful. We know he’s an expert with the knife. But that’s all we know.”
A madman on the loose in THE SLASHER
Lieutenant Johnson, the most experienced detective on the force, leaned forward. “And I’ll tell you something, Doctor,” he said. “We know this is man is big and powerful. We know he’s an expert with the knife. But that’s all we know.”
A madman on the loose in THE SLASHER
Paperback
First published January 1, 1959
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 17, 2025
3.6, rounded up.
Another fast-moving, compelling Demaris book that can be read over a weekend.
I think it's the only of his earlier novels not to be in print right now, I was lucky to find a used copy printed around the early 70s.
This book would have been quite daring when published back in 1959. Early book covers suggest a slasher who is out primarily to terrify women, but the bad guy, Stanley Palke is a vicious homosexual who hates society in general, especially Christians. His victims are often sailors and any other men who are unwise enough to make his acquaintance, but the slasher of this book's title is unattractive and most unappealing, even to the most desperate.
Other characters here include the lonely widower Lieutenant Sam Johnson, and family man Sergeant Frank Spicuzza. They're under huge pressure to catch this killer - fast.
Also, there is the drunken former reporter going through a mid-life crisis, Paul Warren, who has a wife and son and no job after being fired. After spending a few hours with the slasher, his life is in big danger. Has he got something to hide? Maybe a repressed homosexual? I couldn't help guessing throughout wondering if that was so.
Overall, a compelling read. I wasn't sure if the (then) daring subject matter was intentional sensationalism, or the author simply being frank and honest in what he wrote about. Possibly a mixture of both, but who knows for sure. One thing I am sure about is that when I pick up one of this author's books, I'm likely to be hooked and will find it hard to put down, and this book was no exception.
While gripping, perhaps not the very best of his books, as I felt (slightly) that he copped out with a certain plot element later in the book with one character. To explain what I mean about that is going into spoiler territory, so I won't say any more. But it's only a slight quibble. You can't really go wrong with Ovid Demaris books. I often wish he was better remembered now than he actually is.
Another fast-moving, compelling Demaris book that can be read over a weekend.
I think it's the only of his earlier novels not to be in print right now, I was lucky to find a used copy printed around the early 70s.
This book would have been quite daring when published back in 1959. Early book covers suggest a slasher who is out primarily to terrify women, but the bad guy, Stanley Palke is a vicious homosexual who hates society in general, especially Christians. His victims are often sailors and any other men who are unwise enough to make his acquaintance, but the slasher of this book's title is unattractive and most unappealing, even to the most desperate.
Other characters here include the lonely widower Lieutenant Sam Johnson, and family man Sergeant Frank Spicuzza. They're under huge pressure to catch this killer - fast.
Also, there is the drunken former reporter going through a mid-life crisis, Paul Warren, who has a wife and son and no job after being fired. After spending a few hours with the slasher, his life is in big danger. Has he got something to hide? Maybe a repressed homosexual? I couldn't help guessing throughout wondering if that was so.
Overall, a compelling read. I wasn't sure if the (then) daring subject matter was intentional sensationalism, or the author simply being frank and honest in what he wrote about. Possibly a mixture of both, but who knows for sure. One thing I am sure about is that when I pick up one of this author's books, I'm likely to be hooked and will find it hard to put down, and this book was no exception.
While gripping, perhaps not the very best of his books, as I felt (slightly) that he copped out with a certain plot element later in the book with one character. To explain what I mean about that is going into spoiler territory, so I won't say any more. But it's only a slight quibble. You can't really go wrong with Ovid Demaris books. I often wish he was better remembered now than he actually is.
December 17, 2021
The first chapter is disgustingly perfect that you may wish to throw the book and run away to another novel. Yet , towards the events the reader is convinced of the necessity of such a description as it introduces reader to the worst state of human psychological troubles. Then you are convinced that depression is boring but an illusion as happened with Warren towards the end of the novel
February 15, 2017
A quick read involving characters you really get to know in a short time. Surprising story elements for the time it was written. I you like classics like Ed Mcbain you might enjoy this one.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews