Have a Nice Night

Tom Lepski #13

by James Hadley Chase

When Detective Tom Lepski shot down the runaway killer on his beat in Paradise City, he unleashed a chain of events that would involve two sets of criminals and a honeymoon couple in one of the most exciting nights any of them had seen for a long time.

Wilbur Warrenton and his beautiful, grasping wife Maria are on their honeymoon in the luxurious Spanish Bay Hotel when their penthouse suite is the scene of a collision between a gang of jewel thieves intent on stealing the famous Warrenton diamonds and a gang of ransom-hungry Cubans - all determined to get exactly what they want - at any cost.

Genres: Crime, Novels, Fiction, Thriller, Mystery

Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

René 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.

Reviews

[Paul Lothane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really , the villainous "man of honour " in this novel left me in stitches. What a character. His sanctimonious hypocrisy is both sickening and farcical at the same time. He has convinced himself that he is a good man, even a leader of his people (the Cuban community). Yet he is prepared to deceive, cheat and kill despite being "a man of honour" trusted by his own beleaguered people. He plays an important role in the schemes and machinations of this interesting story. We know that the author is a master story teller who always throws together ingenious schemes that seem perfect and would ensure the 'crooks' become rich; but then again these best laid plans always come apart at the seams as the story progresses. And such is the case here again. And what about the intrepid cop Tom Lepski who also features here? For me he brings to mind the proverbial African 'go lo gbo, ko gbo come' (think of a bull in a china shop!). Anyway in the end as things unravel the "man of honour " gets his just deserts and meets a horrific end...

[Crime Addict Sifat · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the point when Detective Tom Lepski shot down the runaway executioner on his beat in Paradise City, he unleashed a chain of occasions that would include two arrangements of lawbreakers and a wedding trip couple in a standout amongst the most energizing evenings any of them had seen for quite a while.

Wilbur Warrenton and his wonderful, getting a handle on spouse Maria are on their special first night in the sumptuous Spanish Bay Hotel when their penthouse suite is the scene of an impact between a group of gem hoodlums expectation on taking the renowned Warrenton precious stones and a pack of payoff hungry Cubans - all resolved to get precisely what they need - at any cost ...

[Kakha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is impossible not to fall in love with police detective Paradise City
(invented by the author, a wonderful town on the coast of Florida, near Miami), Tom Lepsky. He is dedicated, he is professional, he has a good sense of humor, he is smart and perceptive. In short, a real investigator of the most intricate crime. I am glad that this police detective can be found in many great books by our beloved author.
This book tells the story of how one man, a theft specialist, devised a plan to steal an extremely expensive diamond necklace from a wealthy couple staying at the respectable Spanish Bay Hotel in Paradise City. But here, at the same time, a couple of bandits wanted to take possession of the jewel...

[Βρόσγος Άντυ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Το γεγονός ότι έχει βραβευτεί ο κάθε φιτσουλας και όχι ο Τσαιηζ σημαίνει κάτι για τα βραβεία και όχι για τον συγγραφέα.
Δύο παράλληλα εγκληματικά σχέδια μπαίνουν σε εφαρμογή στο Paradise City. Από τη μια οι επαγγελματίες από την άλλη οι ερασιτέχνες και στη μέση ο ντετέκτιβ Τομ Λεπσκι.
Ο Τσαιηζ χρησιμοποιεί πάντα τα ίδια υλικά φτιάχνοντας κάθε φορά διαφορετικό φαγητό.
Πάντοτε ομως απολαυστικό.
Οι αντιήρωες του μοναδικοί και τα plot twist συνεχή, σε αντίθεση όμως με συγγραφεις τύπου Φιτζεκ, απολύτως ρεαλιστικά.

[Paul Cornelius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glitches! There always seems to be glitches for the bad guys in a James Hadley Chase story. Here, two gangs of crooks unknowingly target the same victim for a robbery/kidnapping at the same time. The first group consists of most of the characters that appeared in Chase's comic thriller, Try This One for Size, where their object was the heist of a priceless Russian icon. Lu Bradey, Ed Haddon, Maggie, Kendrick, and the Lepskis, detective Tom and his wife, Carroll, all return. But this time Chase limits the comedy to a few moments with the Lepskis. Most of the rest of the novel is turned over for some gruesome murders and killings. The most gruesome come towards the end, where the second group of criminals, a group of Cuban refugees who want to get rich quick--all that is except Anita, who wants revenge for her husband's killing--take aim at the billionaire son of a Texas oilman and his vain, egotistical South American wife.

Chase has used this plot before, putting two groups of criminals on a collision course. But this time he probably brings things off better than in the past. All the pieces to this crime puzzle move like clockwork. Just like the Haddon gang would have planned it. And the pace is unrelenting. It's one of Chase's best. Did I say four stars? Make it five.

[Akinola Akinyemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to never get away with murder.

This is one of the best from James Hadley Chase. Even the best laid plan often goes wrong in his books. In this book, the bad guy almost got away with the loot, but James always have a twist waiting at the last second. If you have 6hrs of idleness, you can kill your time with this book. Have a nice night.

[Hari Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

James Hadley Chase with his another mind blowing plot, he's always the best crime writer.

[Dhiraj Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading any novel of James Hadley Chase the only thought which comes to my mind is, “How come his novels are not made into movies. I mean a few have been but this is a classic movie script thrown right into your lap, who wouldn’t want to make a movie out of it.

When you read Mr. Chase’s works you feel like you are watching a thriller movie. What a roller coaster ride with machine gun action throughout. Mr. Chase doesn’t believe in wasting words and you are hooked right from the 1st page.

This is trademark Chase. He cooks a heady cocktail full of unscrupulous characters after quick dough, a bunch of low lives, gangsters, a devoted wife, a tough ex-Army guy, cops, filthy rich folks and a sexy siren to boot.

There is no thriller writer out there who can hold a candle to JHC, period.

[Gerard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cops and crooks. Twists and turns. Chase at one of his best!

[jaroiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stará dobrá detektivka. Konec mi připadal částečně vtipný a částečně děsivý. V češtině vyšlo dohromady s druhou detektivkou, ta je zatím v pořadí...

[Joydeep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another best...

[Filip · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book with a really intriguing start, a gambit pile-up, a number of opposing groups with conflicting agendas. The characters are really interesting and well-written with great motivations. Apart from a few, almost no one is written as clearly white or black.

My biggest fault with the book is that everything resolves way to fast, way to easy and basically on its own. Not the best mystery out there, but certainly I'll check other books by this author.

[Saniya Huseini · Rating 4 out of 5]

the book was good... but what about the ending??? what about bradley n maggie??? did dy got out of d hotel with the safes??? an incomplete end...

[Giri Dv · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tightly written narrative. A Good one by Chase.
Best of Chase novels (as I recall): A lotus for Miss Quon, There's a hippie on the highway, Sucker punch, The vulture is a patient bird.

[Mark Vickers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just another brilliant storyline from the maestro himself yet again full of his flair and attention to detail, his novels are real page turners from first to last page.....

[Stuart Carlisle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A masterpiece - though a bit too linear and not as full of suspense or plot twists as his earlier work from the '50's. But it still delivers that signature J.Hardly Chase adrenaline rush