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Tom Lepski #11
Чаровна стръв
Private detective Bart Anderson is hired by Russ Hamel, a millionaire author, to shadow his beautiful wife, Nancy. For Hamel has been receiving poison pen letters claiming that his wife has been having an affair.
But as Bart's investigation progresses, he discovers that he has opened up a can of worms - for Nancy is not the faithful wife her husband assumes ...
But as Bart's investigation progresses, he discovers that he has opened up a can of worms - for Nancy is not the faithful wife her husband assumes ...
Paperback
First published January 1, 1979
12 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
James Hadley Chase
645 books1,005 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.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 2, 2021
A Can of Worms, first published in 1979, came near the end of Chase’s storied 45-year writing career in which he published some ninety crime and espionage thrillers from 1939 through 1984. A Can of Worms is the eleventh of fifteen books set in fictional Paradise City, Florida, often referred to as the Tom Lepski series after the detective who headlined the first few books in the series, but who only makes a cameo appearance or two here. The headliner here is private investigator Bart Anderson, part of the twenty investigator Parnell outfit. Anderson fancies himself a ladies’ man, spends money like it’s water, and is a sleazy operator in general. Hired to investigate a millionaire writer’s wife suspected of infidelity, Anderson stumbles on far bigger fish (like international terrorists) and, with his occasional date’s urging, schemes to blackmail everyone involved. Admittedly not great literature, but a fun fast-paced read.
February 24, 2024
Romanul publicat în anul 1979 de James Hadley Chase nu este unul dintre romanele sale de referință, însă este interesant de observat că, deși ritmul în care se desfășoară acțiunea a rămas la fel de alert, totuși autorul pare să fie animat de sentimente ceva mai bune față de eroii săi și astfel să le asigure acestora o soartă ceva mai blândă. Astfel, pesimismul său notoriu este pus uneori între paranteze. Probabil faptul că scriitorul britanic avea o vârstă venerabilă atunci când a scris această carte (72 sau 73 de ani) poate să fie o explicație în acest sens.
Desigur, faptul că eroul nostru, detectivul particular de 38 de ani, fost combatant în războiul din Vietnam, Bart Anderson, scapă fără să ajungă la închisoare nu înseamnă că planul său ilegal și imoral ajunge să se realizeze. De altfel, el nu este un om rău și nici măcar lacom, ci doar un tantălău incapabil să facă față cheltuielilor aberante pe care le presupune stilul său dezordonat de viață. Pur și simplu, lui Bart banii i se scurg printre degete, el este asemeni unui puști fără minte.
Jobul lui Bart este acela de a o supraveghea pe Nancy, tânăra soție a scriitorului de succes Russ Hamel. Acesta a primit mai multe scrisori anonime în care i se atrăgea atenția că soția sa este infidelă, prin urmare a apelat la agenția la care lucrează Anderson pentru a verifica dacă respectivele acuzații sunt reale sau nu. Mai departe lucrurile vor evolua în direcții nebănuite.
În concluzie, finalul cărții este foarte bine construit. O altă observație interesantă este absența femeii fatale, nici Nancy, nici Bertha, iubita mofturoasă a lui Bart, neîncadrându-se pe deplin în această categorie. Însă detaliul cel mai amuzant are legătură cu obiceiul detectivului de a-i povesti vrute și nevrute majordomului Jarvis, mare amator de "istorii cu crime" reale. Așa că Bart îi satisface acestuia plăcerea debitând tot felul de asemenea povești, care mai de care mai fantasmagorică. Și care credeți că este una dintre sursele respectivelor istorii? Iată ce ne spune el: "Terminasem cu câteva luni în urmă o carte de Hadley Chase, aşa că i-am prezentat-o în rezumat, cu mine în rolul principal". Prin urmare, un erou ficțional creat de Hadley Chase se inspiră din alte ficțiuni create de același Hadley Chase. Pe care le prezintă drept adevărate. Iată de ce este capabilă literatura. Lectură plăcută!
Desigur, faptul că eroul nostru, detectivul particular de 38 de ani, fost combatant în războiul din Vietnam, Bart Anderson, scapă fără să ajungă la închisoare nu înseamnă că planul său ilegal și imoral ajunge să se realizeze. De altfel, el nu este un om rău și nici măcar lacom, ci doar un tantălău incapabil să facă față cheltuielilor aberante pe care le presupune stilul său dezordonat de viață. Pur și simplu, lui Bart banii i se scurg printre degete, el este asemeni unui puști fără minte.
Jobul lui Bart este acela de a o supraveghea pe Nancy, tânăra soție a scriitorului de succes Russ Hamel. Acesta a primit mai multe scrisori anonime în care i se atrăgea atenția că soția sa este infidelă, prin urmare a apelat la agenția la care lucrează Anderson pentru a verifica dacă respectivele acuzații sunt reale sau nu. Mai departe lucrurile vor evolua în direcții nebănuite.
În concluzie, finalul cărții este foarte bine construit. O altă observație interesantă este absența femeii fatale, nici Nancy, nici Bertha, iubita mofturoasă a lui Bart, neîncadrându-se pe deplin în această categorie. Însă detaliul cel mai amuzant are legătură cu obiceiul detectivului de a-i povesti vrute și nevrute majordomului Jarvis, mare amator de "istorii cu crime" reale. Așa că Bart îi satisface acestuia plăcerea debitând tot felul de asemenea povești, care mai de care mai fantasmagorică. Și care credeți că este una dintre sursele respectivelor istorii? Iată ce ne spune el: "Terminasem cu câteva luni în urmă o carte de Hadley Chase, aşa că i-am prezentat-o în rezumat, cu mine în rolul principal". Prin urmare, un erou ficțional creat de Hadley Chase se inspiră din alte ficțiuni create de același Hadley Chase. Pe care le prezintă drept adevărate. Iată de ce este capabilă literatura. Lectură plăcută!
October 29, 2024
As a late period Chase book, it's crasser and juvenile, with a particularly unlikeable dimwit named Bart as the narrator who can't afford the luxurious life he's living on a detective's salary, so he blunders his way through a blackmailing scheme. A scheme he was too dim to see, and instead has to be led by his *erm* nose by his lovely gal pal Bertha (despite the unfortunate name, is singularly cold blooded and greedy and ended up my favorite character).
The first half was a major flop to me, because of how scummy everything is, but then I began to think of it like Bart was having illusions of grandeur, ala Sir Digby Chicken Caeser. None of the jokes landed and the attempts at humor were awful. But then after a section where Bart and Bertha blow all the blackmail money on a yacht and Betha urges Bart to go after more do the brakes really come off.
From there, every twist in the plot seems to put Bart closer to danger but further away from the money. It's got everything: pirate coves, impotent cuckolds, seedy bars on the waterfront, fancy dinners, international terrorists, millions of dollars, . Oh, and can't forget the casual misogyny and racism. But remember, Bart is an oily womanizer who can only keep one of two things on his mind at any given time, not Mr. Rogers.
Well-crafted sleaziness that I'm kind of ashamed for enjoying so much. But I can only be honest with myself.
The first half was a major flop to me, because of how scummy everything is, but then I began to think of it like Bart was having illusions of grandeur, ala Sir Digby Chicken Caeser. None of the jokes landed and the attempts at humor were awful. But then after a section where Bart and Bertha blow all the blackmail money on a yacht and Betha urges Bart to go after more do the brakes really come off.
From there, every twist in the plot seems to put Bart closer to danger but further away from the money. It's got everything: pirate coves, impotent cuckolds, seedy bars on the waterfront, fancy dinners, international terrorists, millions of dollars, . Oh, and can't forget the casual misogyny and racism. But remember, Bart is an oily womanizer who can only keep one of two things on his mind at any given time, not Mr. Rogers.
Well-crafted sleaziness that I'm kind of ashamed for enjoying so much. But I can only be honest with myself.
May 19, 2017
Private investigator Bart Anderson is contracted by Russ Hamel, a tycoon creator, to shadow his lovely spouse, Nancy. For Hamel has been getting poison pen letters asserting that his better half has been having an illicit relationship.
In any case, as Bart's examination advances, he finds that he has opened up a jar of worms - for Nancy is not the dependable spouse her significant other expect ...
In any case, as Bart's examination advances, he finds that he has opened up a jar of worms - for Nancy is not the dependable spouse her significant other expect ...
August 1, 2021
Every now and then, James Hadley Chase creates an utterly repulsive hero for his stories. Bart Anderson is one of them. He's a private detective who tries not one, not two, but three different times to blackmail a group of Italian terrorists. And he fails every time. His greed for money also leads directly to the deaths of a retired policeman and two young boys. Indirectly, by keeping his clues to himself so as to make yet another attempt at blackmail, he also ends up causing an innocent woman to be blown to smithereens. Bart Anderson, human slug. He's so bad in this novel that he actually gets in the way of the story. Otherwise, A Can of Worms is nicely plotted, a constant crescendo of action. Other faults? It's really tiresome at moments to listen to Bart Anderson describe his food and how he can't get through more than an hour of life without sucking on a bottle of Scotch.
June 4, 2023
Реална оценка 2.5★
Ужасен главен герой - безскрупулен частен детектив, който се интересува само от това да се сдобие с пари и да задоволи първичните си нужди... Пък че не премисля нещата и влиза от една беля в друга - няма значение.
Ужасен главен герой - безскрупулен частен детектив, който се интересува само от това да се сдобие с пари и да задоволи първичните си нужди... Пък че не премисля нещата и влиза от една беля в друга - няма значение.
May 28, 2025
From quite some time I was eyeing JAMES HADLEY CHASE, and wanted to start reading him and his pocket books, finally got my hands on 3 books, and finished this one A CAN OF WORMS, which was a typical crime thriller pocket-book, one may read to pass their time on a lazy afternoon or before sleeping, the pulp fiction.
It tells the story of a Private Detective Bart Anderson, who got a job of watching wife of Mr Hamel because he is suspicious of her having an affair. While investigating her, Bart found a can of worms opened, and the case was not as simple as just watching someone but much more than that.
The story is a typical pulpy fiction crime thriller, and it was not as unique but still the way of telling and releasing the information was fine, and gave you the feel of reading a good story. I have read Surendra Mohan Pathak who also got inspired by such writers and wrote pulp crime thrillers in Hindi, and was good in building up a thrilling environment, and James Hadley had done exactly the same thing. And he came before SMP. Another one whom I can consider and have read was Agatha Christie, however her stories have more depth and suspense but language was also little tough compared to this book.
I took around 12 days to complete 175 pages, and it certainly qualifies for a slow read, my rating for the book is 3/5, onto another one now!
Ruchir.
It tells the story of a Private Detective Bart Anderson, who got a job of watching wife of Mr Hamel because he is suspicious of her having an affair. While investigating her, Bart found a can of worms opened, and the case was not as simple as just watching someone but much more than that.
The story is a typical pulpy fiction crime thriller, and it was not as unique but still the way of telling and releasing the information was fine, and gave you the feel of reading a good story. I have read Surendra Mohan Pathak who also got inspired by such writers and wrote pulp crime thrillers in Hindi, and was good in building up a thrilling environment, and James Hadley had done exactly the same thing. And he came before SMP. Another one whom I can consider and have read was Agatha Christie, however her stories have more depth and suspense but language was also little tough compared to this book.
I took around 12 days to complete 175 pages, and it certainly qualifies for a slow read, my rating for the book is 3/5, onto another one now!
Ruchir.
September 30, 2020
I can't, never could single out any work of this incomparable author and say that this is one of my favorite books... I can't. Well sometimes, with difficulty. Here too, I want to say this, but I cannot. I read this story so long ago and I remember it so vividly! Of course, this is my favorite novel! The protagonist loves to live beautifully, to spend money (very few people do not like it), but he cannot afford such a life (very familiar). Working in a prosperous private detective agency, he is entrusted with the business of a millionaire writer, and then there is a good opportunity to earn some money. As always, the reader will not even be forcefully pulled away from this incomparable reading. By the way, In this wonderful book, we again meet with the legendary fictional hero, police detective Tom Lepski, whom the reader has probably already fallen in love with.
November 11, 2021
Chase was certainly a master of noir; if this was boiled any harder it would be unchewable. As it is, it is strangely fun, although one can only spend so much time in the company of repulsively amoral private eyes, dames on the take and in the world where greed is the sole motivating factor.
Taking all that into consideration, it was certainly great fun.
Taking all that into consideration, it was certainly great fun.
April 11, 2020
Standardní detektivka, když máte chuť na nějakou klasiku.
January 29, 2021
Dope!
This is one hell of a dope. In today's setting, this story in Hollywood will make a hit at the box office. Thanks to the Master of Art of Deception. Enjoy a read.
This is one hell of a dope. In today's setting, this story in Hollywood will make a hit at the box office. Thanks to the Master of Art of Deception. Enjoy a read.
March 15, 2021
এই প্রথম বোধহয় গল্পের মূল চরিত্রের উপর এত রাগ লাগল! -_- ফালতু একটা লোক পুরা৷ চিটিং করতে করতে কতগুলা মানুষের জীবন গেল। :/
March 6, 2022
One pf the worst....
June 14, 2023
Много слабо особено за Чейс.
Животът не е лесни пари и смяна на ,,куклички".
Животът не е лесни пари и смяна на ,,куклички".
September 12, 2024
Good fiction book 📖 and nice book
March 16, 2025
a fanfic by an average man for average men
February 6, 2018
3.5 out of 5 (কুহকী আশা - অনীশ দাশ অপু)
August 1, 2025
Ελληνικός τίτλος : ο εκβιαστής
Βιπερ Νο.1668
Μετάφραση Τασσώ Καββαδία
Μπόλικα πρόσωπα λαμβάνουν μέρος εδώ πέρα. Το τρικ των διδύμων χρησιμοποιείται άλλη μια φορά χωρίς όμως κατάχρηση και κοινοτυπία.
Το goodreads αναφέρει ότι το παρόν ανήκει σε σειρά. Tom Lepski #11. Αυτό είναι ανακρίβεια. Παρότι τα γεγονότα διαδραματίζονται στο Μαϊάμι, όπου η αρμόδια αστυνομία διοικείται από τον γνωστό μας Φρανκ Τερέλ, ο Λέπσκι κάνει απλά δύο περάσματα άνευ σημασίας. Δεν επηρεάζει καθόλου την πλοκή.
Όπως έχω αναφερθει πολλες φορες στο παρελθον, η αστυνομια στα έργα του Τσαίηζ είναι χειρότερη κι από κομπάρσο. Σχεδόν δεν εμφανίζεται καθολου.
Ο αναγνώστης έχει συνηθίσει στα αστυνομικά να βλέπει τον διώκτη - με την όποια ιδιότητα μπορεί να έχει αυτός, αστυνομικός, ντέτεκτιβ, δικηγόρος, γιατρός, δημοσιογράφος κλπ - να θέλει να συλλάβει τους εγκληματίες και να τους παραδώσει ενώπιον της δικαιοσύνης. Αυτό είναι το λογικό, αυτό έχει γίνει κοινότυπο πιά σε όσους διαβάζουμε αστυνομικά εδώ και δεκαετίες.
Φανταστείτε την έκπληξη του αναγνώστη όταν βλέπει κάτι διαφορετικό.
Εδώ εχουμε να κάνουμε με ύαινες.
Εδώ έχουμε να κάνουμε με τον αρχιμαέστρο του είδους. Hard boiled λέγεται το είδος. Με σπεσιαλιτέ του το μοναδικό cul-de-sac δικής του παραγωγής. Το πώς με αυτό πετυχαίνει το εγγυημένο ταβάνωμα, δείτε το σε άλλες πεντάστερες κριτικές μου.
Ως περήφανος κάτοχος όλης της μεταφρασμένης παρακαταθήκης του δεν παύω να εκπλήσσομαι και να εμπνέομαι να γράφω γι αυτόν. Κορυφαίος κι ανεπανάληπτος. Η τεχνητή νοημοσύνη, μετά από επανειλλημένες και έντονες πιέσεις, επισήμανε ότι μόνο ο James Ellroy μπορεί να τον ανταγωνιστεί στο είδος του.
O Chase έχει την ικανότητα να δημιουργεί ένταση και αδιέξοδες καταστάσεις (cul-de-sac) με μοναδικό τρόπο, κάτι που φαίνεται να εκτιμάται ιδιαίτερα. Η γρήγορη διάπλαση χαρακτήρων, η όμορφη αρχική εικόνα που σταδιακά καταρρέει, και η απουσία απυρόβλητων χαρακτήρων είναι μερικά από τα στοιχεία που κάνουν τα έργα του τόσο ξεχωριστά.
Είναι επίσης ενδιαφέρον πώς η αστυνομία στα βιβλία του Chase παίζει δευτερεύοντα ρόλο, κάτι που διαφοροποιεί τα έργα του από τα παραδοσιακά αστυνομικά μυθιστορήματα. Αυτό προσθέτει μια μοναδική διάσταση στις ιστορίες του, κάνοντάς τες ακόμα πιο συναρπαστικές.
Τα βιπεράκια έχουν πάψει να εκδίδονται εδώ και πολλές δεκαετίες ενώ όσα διασώζονται διανύουν τον μισό αιώνα ζωής τους και η ηλικία τους είναι εμφανής. Πλέον χρειάζεται πολλή μεγάλη τύχη για να πέσετε πάνω σε κάποιο από αυτά. Αν ποτέ...κλωτσήστε την μόνο αν δεν θέλετε να εθιστείτε.
Αλλά μιλάω τόση ώρα για τον μάγειρα και ξέχασα το φαγητό.
Το A Can of Worms (ή Ο Εκβιαστής στην ελληνική έκδοση) ξετυλίγεται σαν παγίδα που έχει ήδη κλείσει, κι εσύ απλώς βλέπεις τους ήρωες να καταλαβαίνουν ότι είναι παγιδευμένοι. Η αρχική πλεκτάνη μοιάζει “απλή υπόθεση”, μα στα χέρια του Chase τίποτα δεν είναι ποτέ αυτό που φαίνεται. Το τρικ με τα δίδυμα δεν κουράζει – αντίθετα, λειτουργεί ως εργαλείο ανατροπής, σπέρνει αμφιβολία και ανακατεύει τα νερά διαρκώς.
Η γραφή του παραμένει κοφτή, αποφασιστική, αμείλικτη. Δεν υπάρχουν παύσεις για εσωτερικές αναλύσεις ή “φιλοσοφίες του διαδρόμου”. Κάθε σκηνή σπρώχνει την υπόθεση προς τα μπροστά — μέχρι να βρεθείς να αναρωτιέσαι ποιος τελικά στήνει ποιον.
Οι χαρακτήρες; Κανείς δεν είναι αθώος, κι αυτό είναι μέρος της μαγείας. Δεν υπάρχουν ήρωες. Μόνο θηρευτές και θηράματα που αλλάζουν θέση χωρίς προειδοποίηση.
Και φυσικά, η κορύφωση — ένα κλασικό Chase-ικό cul-de-sac, όπου η τιμωρία έρχεται όχι από την αστυνομία, αλλά από τη μοιραία αλληλουχία πράξεων, εγωισμών και σιωπών.
Βιπερ Νο.1668
Μετάφραση Τασσώ Καββαδία
Μπόλικα πρόσωπα λαμβάνουν μέρος εδώ πέρα. Το τρικ των διδύμων χρησιμοποιείται άλλη μια φορά χωρίς όμως κατάχρηση και κοινοτυπία.
Το goodreads αναφέρει ότι το παρόν ανήκει σε σειρά. Tom Lepski #11. Αυτό είναι ανακρίβεια. Παρότι τα γεγονότα διαδραματίζονται στο Μαϊάμι, όπου η αρμόδια αστυνομία διοικείται από τον γνωστό μας Φρανκ Τερέλ, ο Λέπσκι κάνει απλά δύο περάσματα άνευ σημασίας. Δεν επηρεάζει καθόλου την πλοκή.
Όπως έχω αναφερθει πολλες φορες στο παρελθον, η αστυνομια στα έργα του Τσαίηζ είναι χειρότερη κι από κομπάρσο. Σχεδόν δεν εμφανίζεται καθολου.
Ο αναγνώστης έχει συνηθίσει στα αστυνομικά να βλέπει τον διώκτη - με την όποια ιδιότητα μπορεί να έχει αυτός, αστυνομικός, ντέτεκτιβ, δικηγόρος, γιατρός, δημοσιογράφος κλπ - να θέλει να συλλάβει τους εγκληματίες και να τους παραδώσει ενώπιον της δικαιοσύνης. Αυτό είναι το λογικό, αυτό έχει γίνει κοινότυπο πιά σε όσους διαβάζουμε αστυνομικά εδώ και δεκαετίες.
Φανταστείτε την έκπληξη του αναγνώστη όταν βλέπει κάτι διαφορετικό.
Εδώ εχουμε να κάνουμε με ύαινες.
Εδώ έχουμε να κάνουμε με τον αρχιμαέστρο του είδους. Hard boiled λέγεται το είδος. Με σπεσιαλιτέ του το μοναδικό cul-de-sac δικής του παραγωγής. Το πώς με αυτό πετυχαίνει το εγγυημένο ταβάνωμα, δείτε το σε άλλες πεντάστερες κριτικές μου.
Ως περήφανος κάτοχος όλης της μεταφρασμένης παρακαταθήκης του δεν παύω να εκπλήσσομαι και να εμπνέομαι να γράφω γι αυτόν. Κορυφαίος κι ανεπανάληπτος. Η τεχνητή νοημοσύνη, μετά από επανειλλημένες και έντονες πιέσεις, επισήμανε ότι μόνο ο James Ellroy μπορεί να τον ανταγωνιστεί στο είδος του.
O Chase έχει την ικανότητα να δημιουργεί ένταση και αδιέξοδες καταστάσεις (cul-de-sac) με μοναδικό τρόπο, κάτι που φαίνεται να εκτιμάται ιδιαίτερα. Η γρήγορη διάπλαση χαρακτήρων, η όμορφη αρχική εικόνα που σταδιακά καταρρέει, και η απουσία απυρόβλητων χαρακτήρων είναι μερικά από τα στοιχεία που κάνουν τα έργα του τόσο ξεχωριστά.
Είναι επίσης ενδιαφέρον πώς η αστυνομία στα βιβλία του Chase παίζει δευτερεύοντα ρόλο, κάτι που διαφοροποιεί τα έργα του από τα παραδοσιακά αστυνομικά μυθιστορήματα. Αυτό προσθέτει μια μοναδική διάσταση στις ιστορίες του, κάνοντάς τες ακόμα πιο συναρπαστικές.
Τα βιπεράκια έχουν πάψει να εκδίδονται εδώ και πολλές δεκαετίες ενώ όσα διασώζονται διανύουν τον μισό αιώνα ζωής τους και η ηλικία τους είναι εμφανής. Πλέον χρειάζεται πολλή μεγάλη τύχη για να πέσετε πάνω σε κάποιο από αυτά. Αν ποτέ...κλωτσήστε την μόνο αν δεν θέλετε να εθιστείτε.
Αλλά μιλάω τόση ώρα για τον μάγειρα και ξέχασα το φαγητό.
Το A Can of Worms (ή Ο Εκβιαστής στην ελληνική έκδοση) ξετυλίγεται σαν παγίδα που έχει ήδη κλείσει, κι εσύ απλώς βλέπεις τους ήρωες να καταλαβαίνουν ότι είναι παγιδευμένοι. Η αρχική πλεκτάνη μοιάζει “απλή υπόθεση”, μα στα χέρια του Chase τίποτα δεν είναι ποτέ αυτό που φαίνεται. Το τρικ με τα δίδυμα δεν κουράζει – αντίθετα, λειτουργεί ως εργαλείο ανατροπής, σπέρνει αμφιβολία και ανακατεύει τα νερά διαρκώς.
Η γραφή του παραμένει κοφτή, αποφασιστική, αμείλικτη. Δεν υπάρχουν παύσεις για εσωτερικές αναλύσεις ή “φιλοσοφίες του διαδρόμου”. Κάθε σκηνή σπρώχνει την υπόθεση προς τα μπροστά — μέχρι να βρεθείς να αναρωτιέσαι ποιος τελικά στήνει ποιον.
Οι χαρακτήρες; Κανείς δεν είναι αθώος, κι αυτό είναι μέρος της μαγείας. Δεν υπάρχουν ήρωες. Μόνο θηρευτές και θηράματα που αλλάζουν θέση χωρίς προειδοποίηση.
Και φυσικά, η κορύφωση — ένα κλασικό Chase-ικό cul-de-sac, όπου η τιμωρία έρχεται όχι από την αστυνομία, αλλά από τη μοιραία αλληλουχία πράξεων, εγωισμών και σιωπών.
April 12, 2025
James Hadley Chase has been called 'The king of all thriller writers' and 'The thriller maestro of the generation' and both of these monikers are quite apt. One of his later thrillers, 'A Can of Worms' is as inventive as many of his other thrillers, the characters are all thoroughly believable and the plot is skilfully woven. Consequently the reader is carried along on the wave of non-stop action and various sub-plots that hinge on the overall one.
The main character is Bart Anderson is the main character who works for a detective agency and is assigned to what seems to be a straightforward case. Millionaire novelist is suspicious of his wife faithfulness so employs the agency to either confirm or deny his fears.
Anderson not only does this but he also gets himself involved in the complicated situation surrounding Hamel's wife and his penchant for living beyond his means and enjoying the company of pretty ladies does not help him in settling the issue. Indeed, he gets so involved that his life is in danger at some points but in the end he manages to unravel a complicated situation with his usual panache ... and with his usual penchant for getting into trouble along the way!
The main character is Bart Anderson is the main character who works for a detective agency and is assigned to what seems to be a straightforward case. Millionaire novelist is suspicious of his wife faithfulness so employs the agency to either confirm or deny his fears.
Anderson not only does this but he also gets himself involved in the complicated situation surrounding Hamel's wife and his penchant for living beyond his means and enjoying the company of pretty ladies does not help him in settling the issue. Indeed, he gets so involved that his life is in danger at some points but in the end he manages to unravel a complicated situation with his usual panache ... and with his usual penchant for getting into trouble along the way!
December 8, 2013
JHC gets better and better, another beauty you won't put down. A Private detective Bart Anderson is hired by millionaire author Russ Hamel to follow his pretty wife Nancy. Russ has been receiving poison mail stating his wife is cheating, but as Bart's investigation progresses he realizes that Nancy is not the faithful wife that her husband assumes she is!
September 3, 2013
It was just about ok for the first part, but the ending was a little tame - not like the usual JHC endings. Villains are given a good build-up initially, but do not act like the Pros they are supposed to be and get caught too easily !
April 12, 2011
For a crime story it was ok but I didn't like the eneding very much.
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November 2, 2011Very good
May 22, 2013
a gripping tight plot by james hadley chase.
April 6, 2014
This book is a good read. Not The Best of Chase by any yardstick though. Read it to Complete your hunger for JHC's writings but is in no way upto his usual standards. The Ending disappoints
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December 21, 2016it is nice book it took a couple of days to read it
June 13, 2024
Fast pace with a film noir feel
Kept you guessing until the end
Crime with a touch of humour and 1960's Will definitely be recommending to friends
Kept you guessing until the end
Crime with a touch of humour and 1960's Will definitely be recommending to friends
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April 24, 2018Нямам буквално никакъв спомен да съм чела тази книга, корицата също нищо не ми напомня, нямаме такава книга никъде вкъщи, но в дневника ми от 1997 г. пише "Довърших "Чаровна стръв" от Джеймс Хадли Чейс, така че явно съм я чела. При следващото посещение ще преровя всичките си дневници за забравени заглавия, струва ми се вълнуващо ровене из забравено книжно минало.
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