Night of the Juggler

by William P. McGivern

High NYC police official's daughter is kidnapped and a savage manhunt ensues in this suspenseful novel by the author of ODDS AGAINST TOMORROW. An unusually bleak and savage portrait of New York City in decline. Filmed successfully in 1980 with James Brolin, Cliff Gorman and Mandy Patinkin. --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Genres: Fiction, Crime, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

221 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

William P. McGivern was a novelist and screenwriter. In his early years he worked as a police reporter for the Philadelphia Bulletin and a reviewer and reporter for the Evening Bulletin in Philadelphia. Prior to his career in the newspaper business he served in the United States Army from 1943-1946.He moved to Los Angeles in 1960. His works include over twenty thrillers and mysteries as well as Soldiers of 44 , a novel based on his experiences in World War II. His novels turned into movies include The Big Heat, Rouge Cop, Shield For Murder, Odds Against Tomorrow and the bestselling Night of the Juggler .In 1952 McGivern received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America and served as president of that organization in 1980. He was the master of the hard-boiled detective novel.

Reviews

[Carly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book makes me glad
The seventies are over.
Ya dig it, cat? Sigh.

~2.5

P.S: The term is "jugular," not "juggler."

[Anastasia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Night of the Juggler by William P. McGivern tells of the manhunt for a psycho killer after the kidnapping of an ex-soldiers daughter. I was expecting something better and thought this rather ordinary. A lot of killing, little suspense and a confusing cast of characters.

[John Samiotis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Μόνο στο τέλος μου κράτησε, ελάχιστα, το ενδιαφέρων. Θα προτιμούσα λιγότερο μπέρδεμα με τους δρόμους
του Central Park και περισσότερο χτίσιμο στην ιστορία την ίδια.

[Jeff (Jake) · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book and the movie have a wide range of differences but Night of the Juggler was one of my favorite old criminal movie dramas so I give the book a try. In the movie version James Brolin plays a Truck Driver that was an ex-cop (Hmmm… that’s me…) who has his daughter kidnapped by a psycho. Dan Hedaya one of my favorite supporting actors plays a rogue cop that’s just as nuts as the kidnapper.

The book and movie are nothing alike. The movie version was a far more interesting story but since I’m a crime nut I still enjoyed the book. Most people probably wouldn’t like the book that much but the movie is well worth it. You can watch the full length movie on YouTube. I’d like to get my hands on a DVD of it someday if it’s possible to find one.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this a good while back. One of the later crime novels from McGivern who is all but forgotten today. Decent story and characters though he's done better.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in 1975. Cop's daughter is kidnapped and he will do anything to get her back. Suspenseful.

[Nancy · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I was reading it, I thought it was a tense thriller about a girl who is kidnapped in NYC by a psychotic low functioning giant. The entire police force is looking for them, along with her father, a highly trained army captain. As a time capsule of 1970's New York, with the hookers, and pushers, loan sharks and prostitutes, it paints a vivid picture. But when I was done with it, it just seemed ridiculous. There were too many unrealistic characters and scenes, particularly revolving around the psychotic man.

[Ashley Hana · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5 STARS ROUNDED UP

New drinking game: take a shot every time a streetname is mentioned. I could not fucking keep up with them lmaooo.

It was a pretty boring read to be honest. Very predictable plot and just overall had no thrill to it. Also, why is there a Boyle and a Boyd? Those names look SO alike that it took me over half a book to figure out they were two different people..

[Nick Pemberton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm quite surprised that this book has such bad reviews, I have to say I found it a tense, thrilling, quick read. The portrait of 1970's New York is quite striking. The attitudes depicted are definitely of their time, but the grittiness cuts through. Will definitely read more by this author, and have already ordered his much earlier book, The Big Heat.

[Gena Lott · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the most frightening books I have ever read, I wonder now that I was able to read it. Rife with nail-biting suspense and fear, I still remember this book because of the raw emotion it illicited in me as I read.
I probably couldn't do it today!

[Miki Marker Munck · Rating 4 out of 5]

En vildt uhyggelig og sygt spændende historie om en seriemorder, der hvert år på samme dato og tidspunkt kidnapper og dræber en lille pige.
En sammenfletning af prostituerede, pimps, politifolk og livet i Central Park og New Yorks gader.

[Marius van Blerck · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a re-read (actually an audiobook listen) after I had read this some years ago. The book is well constructed, with a riveting theme. However, the characters are almost all one-dimensional stereotypes. The book also suffers from the author's tendency to repeat himself, in case the reader wasn't paying attention first time round. Finally, without giving any of the plot away, the Juggler's plan to get hold of the victim depended on a massive series of coincidences, which not only came off, but have similarly come off for the prior 4 years! I don't mind some leeway with improbability, but this was a little too absurd.

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 2 out of 5]

A relic of the uber gritty New York City of lore. An uncomfortable, unpleasant read.