The Hostage

by Henry Farrell

Se avete il vizio di rosicchiarvi le unghie quando avete i nervi tesi, mettetevi i guanti prima di cominciare la lettura di questo romanzo. Per dodici ore, in un crescendo angoscioso seguiamo la vicenda dei genitori di Davey Cleaves - un estroso ragazzino di sette anni - sparito misteriosamente. Un sinistro vagabondo viene ridotto al silenzio per sempre, prima che possa dire ciò che sa… una zitella astiosa e bugiarda concorre a lanciare i segugi su una falsa pista… una donna piena di buone intenzioni si lascia sfuggire l'occasione di aiutare un bambino in pericolo. […] LA RIVISTA DI ELLERY QUEEN N. 152 «La giustizia di Salomone» di Juan Page a pagina 189.

1959 pages, Unknown Binding

First published July 21, 1968

About the author

Henry Farrell was an American novelist and screenwriter, best known as the author of the renowned gothic horror story What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, which was made into a 1962 film starring Bette Davis and Joan Crawford.

Farrell was born Charles Farrell Myers in California, and grew up in Chowchilla, California. Under the name Charles F. Myers, he wrote the "Toffee" short stories in SF magazines in the 1940s and 1950s. Later taking the pseudonym Henry Farrell, his first novel was The Hostage, published in 1959. He would publish five novels between 1959 - 1967.

He also wrote numerous teleplays for television movies and series such as Perry Mason and Alfred Hitchcock Presents

Farrell passed away in his home in Pacific Palisades, California at age 85. According to his obituary, he completed another novel, titled A Piece of Clarisse, shortly before his death. There is currently no word on publication.

Reviews

[Boris Cesnik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A suspenseful and heart sopping pulp narrative with welcomed literary tricks that elevate this story and the writing to a higher level of reading pleasure.