The Barbed Wire Noose

Carl Wilcox #6

by Harold Adams

Carl Wilcox found Foote swaying and twisting from a barbed wire noose. As a blizzard envelops the town, a variety of people, including a ghost, gather at the Corden Hotel. As Wilcox tears through the fabric of deceit, the horrors of the past invade the hotel. And everyone bas an alibi.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction

184 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1987

About the author

BORN 1923

Reviews

[Terry Tschann Skelton · Rating 3 out of 5]

While reading this book, I felt like I was watching an old black-and-white movie! I could even come up with a cast. Written in the 1980's about the 1930's, I think it qualifies as historical fiction, too. Fun mystery with quirky characters. Would give it 3.5 if that were an option.

[Maddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

PROTAGONIST: Carl Wilcox
SETTING: Corden, South Dakota - 1930s
SERIES: #6 of 16
RATING: 4.25
WHY: Ex-con Carl Wilcox temporarily takes over as the town cop, who is ailing with pneumonia. Just before a major blizzard hits, Arthur Foote is found with a barbed wire noose around his neck. Foote's 2 kids and their entourages come to town. Carl does a good job as a cop, putting aside his drinking but not his pursuit of comely women. In past books, he's had a contentious relationship with his father, who has now had a stroke - surprisingly touching how the two relate in this book. Adams has a sardonic wit that I appreciate. This is the best book I've read in the series so far.