Get Me to the Wake on Time

by Alfred Hitchcock (Editor)

Alfred Hitchcock isn't one for politics - but he does feel there is a grop of citizens who go unrecognized by the media. True, they prefer it that way. In fact, the last thing they want is publicity. Nevertheless, Alfie has dedicated his life to making known the special talents of these modest murderers and quiet killers - and he's hit a new high in such tales by today's masters of macabre mystery and spine tingling suspense..

Genres: Short Stories, Anthologies, Horror, Fiction, Crime

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1970

About the author

Sir Alfred Joseph Hitchcock KBE (1899-1980) was an iconic and highly influential film director and producer, who pioneered many techniques in the suspense and thriller genres.

Following a very substantial career in his native Britain in both silent films and talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood and became an American citizen with dual nationality in 1956, thus he also remained a British subject.

Hitchcock directed more than fifty feature films in a career which spanned six decades, from the silent film era, through the invention of sound films, and far into the era of colour films. For a complete list of his films, see Alfred Hitchcock filmography.

Hitchcock was among the most consistently recognizable directors to the general public, and was one of the most successful film directors during his lifetime. He continues to be one of the best known and most popular filmmakers of all time.

Reviews

[Nandakishore Mridula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, I cannot remember any of the stories of this slim Hitchcock volume. This was read at a stressful time when I could not concentrate on anything serious. I must have liked most of the content, however, judging from my star rating.

These Hitchcock volumes are delectable snacks for the mystery enthusiast. Substantial enough to give a feeling of repleteness, yet light enough to easily digest.

[Lata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anthology of 14 short stories by various authors with Hitchcockian twists. I haven't read any other books by these authors or even heard about them before.
I had read this book long ago. I was surprised that I could still remember some of these stories quite well.
Each story was satisfactory. In very few words, the characters and their motivations was quite clear.
Most readers don't like short stories but I prefer them, because even if they are not good, I wouldn't have spent much time on them. I feel impatient when the author uses 10 pages to describe something that could be described in 10 sentences.

[Rena Sherwood]

Review in a bit.

This is a review of the 1970 Dell paperback edition. Unlike many books in the Alfred Hitchcock Presents series, this one appears to be actually edited by Hitchcock himself. All of the stories were written in the 1960s.

Selections:

* "Introduction" by Our Editor. In most anthologies, you can safely skip the introduction. Hitchcock intros are the exception. This time around, Hitchcock writes a short revenge story ... of sorts.
* "Goodbye, Now" by Gil Brewer. Nice bit of silly fun, but predictable.
* "Woman Missing" by Helen Nielsen. Interesting and unpredictable police procedural about a missing wife in 1959, a smidgen about horses and a lot of smoking. Very good metaphor about a penniless child looking into a toy shop window.
* "Murder Me Gently" by C. B. Gilford. A cheating husband commits the perfect crime ... or so he thinks.
* "Be My Valentine" by Henry Slesar. The Valentine referred to here is the fictional safecracker Jimmy Valentine. An ad executive thinks it's a great idea to pit a paroled safecracker against his client's new safe.
* "The Marquesa" by Ray Russell. A Hollywood superstar has his eyes on a beautiful Spanish widow with a formidable wine cellar. Tightly written modern horror story, but does have a couple of plot holes.
* "Highly Recommended" by Michael Brett. Fun little story about a hit man for the mob, but the ending was predictable.
* "Old Man Emmonds" by Talmage Powell. Now THAT was freaky ... and entirely too believable.
* "The Drum Major" by Arthur Porges. You know those nightmares where something unspeakable is chasing you? This time, that Thing finally catches up.
* "Upside-Down World" by Jack Ritchie. An insurance investigator looks into the most interesting murder case of his life.
* "Nice Work If You Can Get It" by Donald Honig.
* "Bach In a Few Minutes" by Fletcher Flora.
* "Polka-Dot Blonde" by Richard Hardwick.
* "Experience is Helpful" by Rog Phillips.
* "Lucrezia" by H. A. DeRosso.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to scour the used books stores for any Hitchcock volumes