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Frenzy of Evil
FRENZY OF EVIL Jonathan Joseph Carson—Jonathan Joe to his friends—has reached the pinnacle of success. He is rich, well-traveled, a tremendously successful, oft-married lawyer, owner of a large estate, and now, newly married to a woman young enough to be his granddaughter. But something is wrong with Jonathan. His doctors call it a severe case of climeractic, a type of male menopause, an exaggeration of Jonathan’s inherently cruel nature. He savages his opponents in the courtroom, beats his wives, treats everyone around him with casual disdain. And now his new wife comes under his savage thumb. But Dolores has found a lover, someone who might save her. Unfortunately, Jonathan finds out, and there is only one thing to do—and so he begins a frenzy of evil that will stop at nothing less than murder.
184 pages, Paperback
Published February 7, 2018
13 people want to read
About the author
Henry Kane
218 books13 followersAuthor Henry Kane was a lawyer who seemed to prefer writing. In his career, wrote over 60 novels, including about 30 featuring Peter Chambers. Other short-lived series characters were PIs Marla Trent and retired NYPD detective inspector turned P.I. McGregor. He also wrote the movie adaptations for Ed McBain's 87th Precinct's Cop Hater and The Mugger. And, in light of his experience with Chambers, Kane was the perfect choice to pen an original novel starring television's Peter Gunn.
He also wrote under the pseudonyms Anthony McCall, Kenneth R. McKay, and Mario J. Sagola. He is the creator of Peter Chambers, a private eye in New York City, McGregor, an ex-cop turned private eye in New York City, and Maria Trent. Kane also contributed to the series of 'Ellery Queen' novels ghostwritten by other authors.
He also wrote under the pseudonyms Anthony McCall, Kenneth R. McKay, and Mario J. Sagola. He is the creator of Peter Chambers, a private eye in New York City, McGregor, an ex-cop turned private eye in New York City, and Maria Trent. Kane also contributed to the series of 'Ellery Queen' novels ghostwritten by other authors.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 13, 2024
Originally published by Dell in 1962 and now republished by Stark House’s Gat Books in May 2018, Kane’s Frenzy of Evil pokes around under the surface of the well-to-do who live in resplendent mansions, people such as Jonathan Joseph Carson (62) and his young bride Dolores Zamora Carson (22). Jonathan Joseph (as he is referred throughout the book) could throw a brilliant party because “his close friends and neighbors were bright, wise, witty, clever, and quick; the older ones shamefully rich and riotously successful; the younger poised upon the glimmering brink of similar riches and similar successes.” And, “what stranger – nay, what intimate could possibly divine that beneath the stylish formal evening attire, beneath all and with only nine people present, there ran a vile and turgid undercurrent of hate, love, guilt, rape, adultery, madness, and murder.”
Jonathan Joseph and George Ross were the Carson and Ross of Carson, Ross, & Ross, a law firm ensconced at 1 Wall Street. They were college mates at Princeton. Ross was the quarterback, plotting the plays and calling the signals, while Jonathan Joseph carried the ball. Ross was the law man, the student, the digger but Carson was “a blazing, ruthless, shrewd and eloquent trial inquisitor.” He was a courtroom star. Carson was a super-luminary in a town of luminaries, “an eccentric, a fiery oddball, an ultra-character in a town of characters.” Outside of business, they were different. Ross married once and produced two children and lived happily ever after. Jonathan Joseph married thrice before he even met Dolores. First to a young, red-lipped, slim-hipped actress. Second, to a large, blonde, curvy specialty dancer. Then, a cold, haughty, society woman who died of cancer. The first two divorced him on grounds of cruelty. Sally the second wife suffered from a total concussion due to a blow to the head and a coma for two days. Once her face was smashed, including five teeth extracted twelve stitches inside the mouth, and a need for plastic restoration to the nose.
Indeed, as his friend Dr. Bernstein noted, Jonathan Joseph “functions in life as a sadist, an extreme sadist.” He is a great lawyer because he crushes the opposition. “He pulverizes the opposition and he revels in it.” Jonathan Joseph was not constantly cruel, but was generally charming, with flare-ups and a particular kind of frenzy during heavy drinking bouts.
And, dear reader, given these circumstances, what would be the situation do you think if word got out that the dazzling Dolores Zamora had taken a lover. What would Jonathan Joseph do and what would the consequences be?
Jonathan Joseph and George Ross were the Carson and Ross of Carson, Ross, & Ross, a law firm ensconced at 1 Wall Street. They were college mates at Princeton. Ross was the quarterback, plotting the plays and calling the signals, while Jonathan Joseph carried the ball. Ross was the law man, the student, the digger but Carson was “a blazing, ruthless, shrewd and eloquent trial inquisitor.” He was a courtroom star. Carson was a super-luminary in a town of luminaries, “an eccentric, a fiery oddball, an ultra-character in a town of characters.” Outside of business, they were different. Ross married once and produced two children and lived happily ever after. Jonathan Joseph married thrice before he even met Dolores. First to a young, red-lipped, slim-hipped actress. Second, to a large, blonde, curvy specialty dancer. Then, a cold, haughty, society woman who died of cancer. The first two divorced him on grounds of cruelty. Sally the second wife suffered from a total concussion due to a blow to the head and a coma for two days. Once her face was smashed, including five teeth extracted twelve stitches inside the mouth, and a need for plastic restoration to the nose.
Indeed, as his friend Dr. Bernstein noted, Jonathan Joseph “functions in life as a sadist, an extreme sadist.” He is a great lawyer because he crushes the opposition. “He pulverizes the opposition and he revels in it.” Jonathan Joseph was not constantly cruel, but was generally charming, with flare-ups and a particular kind of frenzy during heavy drinking bouts.
And, dear reader, given these circumstances, what would be the situation do you think if word got out that the dazzling Dolores Zamora had taken a lover. What would Jonathan Joseph do and what would the consequences be?
December 11, 2023
Turgid. Not up to Stark House's usual quality.
April 30, 2019
This was my first time reading anything by Henry Kane and I definitely see myself reading more from him in the future. So, let’s get right into this novel and meet Jonathan Joseph Carson aka Jonathan Joe, an older successful married lawyer who is newly married to Dolores, a much younger woman who could be his granddaughter.
Well, we can all see where this is headed. Yes, husband has jealous rages, beats young woman who then finds a lover whom she hopes will save her, but not before husband devises a plan to murder him. Despite the fact this was written over fifty years ago, the formula still works today.
I loved the twists and turns of this novel especially showing folks are loyal to those who they work for. Also, how far someone would go to frame someone else and quiet those who can point a finger at them. The dialogue was great and the scenes were very descriptive. A must read if you are a fan of suspenseful noir novels.
Two thumbs up!
Here are my favorite lines:
Kelly said, “Your gun, your paper, your motive, your unequivocal threat, your lying denials to me, plus my facts—incontrovertible technical evidence…you’re the lawyer, Joe…you know even better than I do…”
Jonathan Joseph Carson was silent.
“Reenactment is easy,” said Kelly. “A hot-blooded man with a young wife, crazed by jealousy. Takes gun and sheet of paper and goes off horseback riding to murder. Comes to shack and finds Haines there with Mason. Goes around to the rear and, peeking through window, waits. Mason leaves. He enters by rear door, contrives to do the job, and goes home. That’s my story. Any rebuttal?”
“What do you want?” said Jonathan Joseph Carson.
“Rebuttal?” said Sam Kelly.
Carson shook his head. “What do you want, Sam?”
“If you mean by that a bribe, no.”
“I’m very rich, Sam.”
Well, we can all see where this is headed. Yes, husband has jealous rages, beats young woman who then finds a lover whom she hopes will save her, but not before husband devises a plan to murder him. Despite the fact this was written over fifty years ago, the formula still works today.
I loved the twists and turns of this novel especially showing folks are loyal to those who they work for. Also, how far someone would go to frame someone else and quiet those who can point a finger at them. The dialogue was great and the scenes were very descriptive. A must read if you are a fan of suspenseful noir novels.
Two thumbs up!
Here are my favorite lines:
Kelly said, “Your gun, your paper, your motive, your unequivocal threat, your lying denials to me, plus my facts—incontrovertible technical evidence…you’re the lawyer, Joe…you know even better than I do…”
Jonathan Joseph Carson was silent.
“Reenactment is easy,” said Kelly. “A hot-blooded man with a young wife, crazed by jealousy. Takes gun and sheet of paper and goes off horseback riding to murder. Comes to shack and finds Haines there with Mason. Goes around to the rear and, peeking through window, waits. Mason leaves. He enters by rear door, contrives to do the job, and goes home. That’s my story. Any rebuttal?”
“What do you want?” said Jonathan Joseph Carson.
“Rebuttal?” said Sam Kelly.
Carson shook his head. “What do you want, Sam?”
“If you mean by that a bribe, no.”
“I’m very rich, Sam.”
April 30, 2021
Henry Kane certainly takes his time with this one, slowly introducing a cast of for the most part reprehensible characters emmeshed in a elaborate web of sex, ambition, and hatred. The mystery, such as it is, is who is going to kill whom. It ultimately resolves into a nice double sided I-know-but-he-doesn't situation, with the suspense lying in which side will crumble first. Would have made a nice novella.
February 5, 2019
Above Average Pulp
Kudos to Stark House Press for bringing this book as wee as other noir and pulp classics back in print. Kane was a prolific author and certainly a cut above many others writing in these genres. This is a quick , well written and twisty tale which can be read in a few sittings. You will be entertained. What more can you want? Read it.
Kudos to Stark House Press for bringing this book as wee as other noir and pulp classics back in print. Kane was a prolific author and certainly a cut above many others writing in these genres. This is a quick , well written and twisty tale which can be read in a few sittings. You will be entertained. What more can you want? Read it.
August 16, 2018
Short book, lots of weird characters, beautiful rich people, written well, great plot, and I threw the book at the ending. Loved it.
December 18, 2018
A brilliant and clever thriller about madness and justice, any which way it can be had.
December 28, 2018
A little slow at the beginning, but once it got going a fun read.
April 13, 2023
A very well plotted thriller. I'll definitely be reading more of Henry Kane in the future.
January 10, 2022
Looking at the old, tattered copy that I possess; I though I was about to enjoy the instant gratification offered by a pulp novel and didn't expect any serious plotlines or characters. However, this slim book exceeded my expectations: it was slick, fast-paced and enthralling and I actually ended up strongly rooting for certain characters. The plot was convoluted enough to keep me guessing without boring me or asking me to suspend my disbelief. The characters weren't one dimensional figures meant to fill stereotypical roles of the villain, lover, etc. and I think that helps readers to invest themselves in the story.
I loved the snappy surprise ending that in hindsight couldn't have been written any differently in my opinion. Frenzy of Evil isn't a generic pulp novel and is an excellent read if you want to shut out the world for a short while.
I loved the snappy surprise ending that in hindsight couldn't have been written any differently in my opinion. Frenzy of Evil isn't a generic pulp novel and is an excellent read if you want to shut out the world for a short while.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews