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Gilmore Henry #1
The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope
Is this lawyer digging his way to the truth, or digging his own grave?
Short, chubby, and awkward with members of the opposite sex, Gil Henry is the youngest partner in a small law firm, not a hard-boiled sleuth. So when an attractive young woman named Ruth McClure walks into his office and asks him to investigate the value of the stock she inherited from her father, he thinks nothing of it—until someone makes an attempt on his life.
Soon Gil is inadvertently embroiled in scandal, subterfuge, and murder. He's beaten, shot, and stabbed, as his colleagues and enemies try to stop him from seeing the case through to the end. Surrounded by adversaries, he teams up with Ruth and her secretive brother to find answers to the questions someone desperately wants to keep him from asking.
In this portrait of America on the eve of America's entry into World War II, C.W. Grafton—himself a lawyer and the father of prolific mystery writer Sue Grafton—pens an award-winning mystery that combines humor and the hard-boiled style and will keep readers guessing until its thrilling conclusion.
Short, chubby, and awkward with members of the opposite sex, Gil Henry is the youngest partner in a small law firm, not a hard-boiled sleuth. So when an attractive young woman named Ruth McClure walks into his office and asks him to investigate the value of the stock she inherited from her father, he thinks nothing of it—until someone makes an attempt on his life.
Soon Gil is inadvertently embroiled in scandal, subterfuge, and murder. He's beaten, shot, and stabbed, as his colleagues and enemies try to stop him from seeing the case through to the end. Surrounded by adversaries, he teams up with Ruth and her secretive brother to find answers to the questions someone desperately wants to keep him from asking.
In this portrait of America on the eve of America's entry into World War II, C.W. Grafton—himself a lawyer and the father of prolific mystery writer Sue Grafton—pens an award-winning mystery that combines humor and the hard-boiled style and will keep readers guessing until its thrilling conclusion.
304 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1943
102 people are currently reading
352 people want to read
About the author
C.W. Grafton
5 books6 followersCornelius Warren ("Chip") Grafton (June 16, 1909 – January 31, 1982)[1] was an American crime novelist. He was born and raised in China, where his parents were working as missionaries. He was educated in Clinton, South Carolina, studying law and journalism, and became a municipal bond attorney in Louisville, Kentucky.[2]
He is the father of author Sue Grafton.
The hero of his first two mystery novels (The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope and The Rope Began to Hang the Butcher) was a lawyer named Gilmore Henry. Using the first two lines of a nursery rhyme as the titles of his first two novels suggested that other Gilmore Henry novels would follow, but none did. (A partial manuscript of a third novel, The Butcher Began to Kill the Ox, is known to exist.)[2] Henry did not appear in Grafton's two subsequent novels
He is the father of author Sue Grafton.
The hero of his first two mystery novels (The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope and The Rope Began to Hang the Butcher) was a lawyer named Gilmore Henry. Using the first two lines of a nursery rhyme as the titles of his first two novels suggested that other Gilmore Henry novels would follow, but none did. (A partial manuscript of a third novel, The Butcher Began to Kill the Ox, is known to exist.)[2] Henry did not appear in Grafton's two subsequent novels
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
June 11, 2020
Attorney Gil Henry, self-described as short and pudgy, is able to take his share of punishment in search of justice for his client and a fee for himself. Gil is hired by Ruth McClure, whose father recently died, leaving her some shares in the Harper Company, where he worked. Mr. Harper himself offered Ruth (and her adopted brother Tim) well above market price for the shares, whose value was falling. Ruth wants to know why. As Gil investigates, he finds evidence of several murders, accounting chicanery, violence--a lot of violence, and several murder attempts directed at him. People keep hitting him, too, often from behind, which seems rather unfair. Grafton, father of better-known writer Sue, turns out an amusing period piece with a surprisingly tough-guy hero.
May 31, 2020
Noir author C.W. “Chip” Grafton is probably best known as the hard-drinking father of the late Sue Grafton, a Mystery Writers of America Grand Master and the winner of several Anthony and Shamus awards — if you have heard of him at all. But Lawrence Block, Lilian Jackson Braun, Kinky Friedman, David Handler, Charlotte MacLeod, Gregory McDonald, Elizabeth Peters, Donald Westlake and many, many, many more mystery writers owe the elder Grafton a huge debt of gratitude. That’s because Chip Grafton invented the wisecracking investigator.
Meet Gilmore “Gil” Henry, the short, pudgy, very junior partner in the prestigious law firm of Mead, Opdyke, Smallwood, Garrison & Henry, “which trickles out to practically nothing by the time it gets to me.” In The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope, Henry is sent to Harpersville, Ky., for a pretty little thing whose father died two weeks ago. Ruth McClure, 28, wonders why her father’s employer is trying to buy the late Mr. McClure’s stock for four times its worth — as long as he can get the dead man’s private papers as well. Ruth smells a rat, and that’s why she summons a lawyer. As you can guess, there’s a whole colony of rats in Harpersville, and the self-deprecating, flippant Henry throws caution to the winds and gets his man — while frequently getting beat up, too. I am so grateful to Poisoned Pen Press for reissuing this 1943 gem.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review.
Meet Gilmore “Gil” Henry, the short, pudgy, very junior partner in the prestigious law firm of Mead, Opdyke, Smallwood, Garrison & Henry, “which trickles out to practically nothing by the time it gets to me.” In The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope, Henry is sent to Harpersville, Ky., for a pretty little thing whose father died two weeks ago. Ruth McClure, 28, wonders why her father’s employer is trying to buy the late Mr. McClure’s stock for four times its worth — as long as he can get the dead man’s private papers as well. Ruth smells a rat, and that’s why she summons a lawyer. As you can guess, there’s a whole colony of rats in Harpersville, and the self-deprecating, flippant Henry throws caution to the winds and gets his man — while frequently getting beat up, too. I am so grateful to Poisoned Pen Press for reissuing this 1943 gem.
In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press in exchange for an honest review.
May 30, 2020
I picked up this book on the recommendation of a trusted source and also because C.W. Grafton is the father of Sue Grafton. It is an honest portrayal of America on the eve of its entry into World War II and therefore may offend some readers occasionally. I choose not to become offended, instead deciding to be happy that we've moved away from that way of thought and behavior. (But honestly, there are not many such instances.)
What I found was a well-written, fast-paced mystery that kept me guessing. Wonder of wonders-- I enjoyed it. Any hardboiled or noir mysteries of this period usually bore me to tears. I find them pretentious and formulaic, but one of the main reasons why I didn't find The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope to be that way was due to Grafton's light touch and marvelous sense of humor.
This Library of Congress Crime Classic is packed with extras: a foreword, introduction, footnotes, something about the war, a reading group guide, a section on further reading, and a few pages about the author. I have to be honest and say that I didn't read all of them, but what I did read was informative, and I found the footnotes quite useful when I didn't quite understand certain terminology.
Yes, I did enjoy C.W. Grafton's first mystery. Am I going to start reading more hardboiled mysteries? I don't think so. They're not quite my cup of tea, although if I did find more written like this one, I just might change my mind.
What I found was a well-written, fast-paced mystery that kept me guessing. Wonder of wonders-- I enjoyed it. Any hardboiled or noir mysteries of this period usually bore me to tears. I find them pretentious and formulaic, but one of the main reasons why I didn't find The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope to be that way was due to Grafton's light touch and marvelous sense of humor.
This Library of Congress Crime Classic is packed with extras: a foreword, introduction, footnotes, something about the war, a reading group guide, a section on further reading, and a few pages about the author. I have to be honest and say that I didn't read all of them, but what I did read was informative, and I found the footnotes quite useful when I didn't quite understand certain terminology.
Yes, I did enjoy C.W. Grafton's first mystery. Am I going to start reading more hardboiled mysteries? I don't think so. They're not quite my cup of tea, although if I did find more written like this one, I just might change my mind.
October 27, 2022
“This is Gil Henry. I’m in Harpersville. Does anyone want you to be dead?”
Energetic and mostly appealing hardboiled mystery set in 1941 and published in 1943. This book won the Mary Roberts Rinehart Award back when people knew who MRR was (a celebrated mystery novelist). The new edition helpfully includes footnotes that explain who Whirlaway was (a horse), what a French phone is (one that looks like a candlestick and has a separate little receiver on the side), why there was rubber rationing (World War II), and why the hero is convinced that a tailor he has never met before will do anything to make a buck (anti-Semitism).
Skip the intro stuff in the new edition because it gives away too much of the plot, although it does address the pervasive sexism in the book.
The title is based on the fairy tale "A Crooked Sixpence," which you can read here: https://fairytalez.com/old-woman-croo... . C.W. Grafton planned to write an eight-book series, with each book having a title from the fairy tale. He published only two because of financial pressures and alcoholism. However, he had more success producing a daughter, Sue Grafton, who published 25 novels with linked titles (A Is for Alibi, B Is for Burglar, and so on).
Energetic and mostly appealing hardboiled mystery set in 1941 and published in 1943. This book won the Mary Roberts Rinehart Award back when people knew who MRR was (a celebrated mystery novelist). The new edition helpfully includes footnotes that explain who Whirlaway was (a horse), what a French phone is (one that looks like a candlestick and has a separate little receiver on the side), why there was rubber rationing (World War II), and why the hero is convinced that a tailor he has never met before will do anything to make a buck (anti-Semitism).
Skip the intro stuff in the new edition because it gives away too much of the plot, although it does address the pervasive sexism in the book.
The title is based on the fairy tale "A Crooked Sixpence," which you can read here: https://fairytalez.com/old-woman-croo... . C.W. Grafton planned to write an eight-book series, with each book having a title from the fairy tale. He published only two because of financial pressures and alcoholism. However, he had more success producing a daughter, Sue Grafton, who published 25 novels with linked titles (A Is for Alibi, B Is for Burglar, and so on).
September 23, 2015
Sue Grafton's father--a lawyer--wrote a handful of pulp detective novels. Competent, if formulaic. And the titles of the two he wrote about the same character do in a sense foreshadow her use of a traceable thematic link in her titles. This is the first--the second is "The Rope Began to Hang the Butcher." For those who did not have a childhood steeped in European folk tales of one sort or another. . .they are the first two lines of the denouement of one of those stories in which the goal the protagonist hopes to achieve can only be reached if a series of other events occurs in proper order. Wonder if he really intended to write his way to "Piggy did go over the stile and the old woman did get home that night?"
February 22, 2022
This boos is funnier than I thought it would be, and more entertaining. Though sometimes needlessly Byzantine.
May 22, 2020
First sentence: My secretary said that there was a Miss Ruth McClure to see me and I said that she could come on in. The girl who stood in the doorway a moment later was small and lovely but she was obviously very unhappy and looked as if she were not sure she wanted to come in after all.
Premise/plot: As adults we don't really have D.E.A.R scheduled into our days, well, most don't. D.E.A.R. if you don't know means Drop Everything And Read. But this vintage mystery should be a must-must-must read for all mystery lovers.
Originally published in 1943, it stars an amateur detective, Gilmore "Gil" Henry, a lawyer. A young woman, Ruth McClure, comes to him--as a lawyer--seeking his services. She has a couple of questions about some stock she has inherited after her father's death. Henry takes the case, and, well a lot more comes with that--than he was expecting! His close encounters with death start piling up!!!! Somebody does not want him helping out Miss McClure. But why?!?!
My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved, LOVED this vintage mystery. It perhaps isn't perfectly perfect. It is very much a product of its time. It was written and published during the second world war. But for adult readers with an appreciation for context that don't find offense at the drop of a hat, I think it would prove a delightful escape.
I love the narrative! I love Gil Henry. It's not often you get pudgy, chubby detectives that are way out of their element but super stubborn. I love the description as well.
Premise/plot: As adults we don't really have D.E.A.R scheduled into our days, well, most don't. D.E.A.R. if you don't know means Drop Everything And Read. But this vintage mystery should be a must-must-must read for all mystery lovers.
Originally published in 1943, it stars an amateur detective, Gilmore "Gil" Henry, a lawyer. A young woman, Ruth McClure, comes to him--as a lawyer--seeking his services. She has a couple of questions about some stock she has inherited after her father's death. Henry takes the case, and, well a lot more comes with that--than he was expecting! His close encounters with death start piling up!!!! Somebody does not want him helping out Miss McClure. But why?!?!
My thoughts: I loved, loved, loved, loved, LOVED this vintage mystery. It perhaps isn't perfectly perfect. It is very much a product of its time. It was written and published during the second world war. But for adult readers with an appreciation for context that don't find offense at the drop of a hat, I think it would prove a delightful escape.
I love the narrative! I love Gil Henry. It's not often you get pudgy, chubby detectives that are way out of their element but super stubborn. I love the description as well.
As I reached the city limits I turned on the radio and caught a hot swing band with one of these women crooners who sounds as if she has gallstones. It was starting to rain a little and the black-top road was shiny like seals in the circus.
I was about halfway down the steep hill when there was a sharp explosion and the car jumped and twisted under me like a hula dancer. I went down that hill in a wild zigzag, keeping to the road for fifty or seventy-five yards by pressing my hundred and eighty pounds against the wheel and trying to anticipate each move. Then I went into a spin and the last thing I heard was the high whine of the tires skidding sidewise. I ought to be dead. How many times the car turned over I don’t know but when I came to, I was hanging halfway out of the door by the driver’s seat and the car was upright some thirty feet off the road down a slight incline.
I began to get a pretty good idea of what Tim McClure might look like when I tried to put on the suit I found on the bed. It may not have been a zoot suit6 but the way I wore it, it certainly had a drape shape. I rolled up probably eight inches around my ankles and the overlap at my waistline was something to look at. The shoulders of the coat hung down almost to my elbows and, of course, my hands were clear out of sight up the sleeves. No wonder Miss Ruth McClure laughed when she saw me. I was a dead ringer for the smallest of the seven dwarfs and sure enough she called me Dopey.
Every person has some cross to bear. Mine is that I am not shaped like people who are intended to get their clothes in ready-to-wear shops. If clothes are to fit me in the middle, they have to be too long at the ends and if they are to fit me at the ends, they hurt me in the middle.
I didn’t want to take the time to wait while alterations were made so I took a suit which hurt when I buttoned it at the waist. Mr. Silverstein had on a black skull cap and a measuring tape hung around his neck. He patted and smoothed and pulled at things to make them hang right and appeared to approve in every particular although he finally said that maybe it was a little snug. I thought snug was hardly the appropriate word since my belt was almost out of sight and I could tell that I would not want to sit down very often.
I regretted my decision when I crawled in under the wheel of the car. They say when you cut earthworms in two, the halves go about their own business and supply whatever it takes to carry on, but I am no earthworm and I had no faith in my ability to do the same.
I wondered if there was any way to grow a new tooth, remove bruises, reduce thirty pounds or grow eight inches taller in a few minutes, but decided there wasn’t. I thought about buying a new suit and incidentally giving my tortured stomach a rest, but with the other details so accurately reported, I thought it would be a waste of time and money. There wasn’t any water at the newsstand so I took two tablets out of the box and munched them disagreeably as I walked down the street wondering how long it would be before I was on the inside looking out.
People who fix things to eat like to see other people eat them, especially when they are hungry and say so, and I was so hungry it must have been shining out of my eyes for anybody to see.
Well, you can’t stand in one spot forever. Acorns do it and get to be oak trees and leaves grow all over them and by and by they can’t move at all.
October 19, 2020
Written by Sue Grafton's father in 1943, the book has been re-issued as a "crime classic."
Full of dreadful 1940's jargon, the plot involves a young lawyer who is retained by a woman to find out why her father's boss is trying to buy back stock and gain control of her dad's estate. There are lots of exchanges that made me aghast (remember it is 1943), but true to the time, the good guy is very smart and figures out the scam before his client is harmed.
The central puzzle is very good. I guessed the murderer, but only about 3/4 of the way through.
Well worth a read.
Full of dreadful 1940's jargon, the plot involves a young lawyer who is retained by a woman to find out why her father's boss is trying to buy back stock and gain control of her dad's estate. There are lots of exchanges that made me aghast (remember it is 1943), but true to the time, the good guy is very smart and figures out the scam before his client is harmed.
The central puzzle is very good. I guessed the murderer, but only about 3/4 of the way through.
Well worth a read.
March 24, 2022
If the author’s last name sounds familiar, it is because he is the father of Sue Grafton, the well known author of the Kinsey Milhone private eye series. Written in 1943, it is definitely in the « tough guy » genre of Hammett and Chandler. A lot of good dialogue and like the books by those authors it is a window into the America of those times. It is a entry in the Library of Congress Crime Classics, with the goal, as written by Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden of « showcasing rare and lesser known titles that represent a range of genres…. ». Am looking forward to discovering others in this series.
June 6, 2020
While investigating the value of a stock inherited by his client, attorney (and amateur sleuth) Gilmore Henry, unwittingly becomes embroiled in a scandalous murder mystery.
For fans of noir fiction, this was an entertaining and intriguing mystery originally published in 1943, with a wonderfully quirky and awkward leading man, and many period references that enhanced the atmospheric setting of this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.
For fans of noir fiction, this was an entertaining and intriguing mystery originally published in 1943, with a wonderfully quirky and awkward leading man, and many period references that enhanced the atmospheric setting of this novel.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.
December 15, 2020
Magnificent! The plot was complicated and fascinating, and the protagonist, Gil Henry, was brilliant, funny, and flawed. C.W. Grafton kept me turning the pages. Unfortunately, C.W., unlike his daughter, Sue, did not achieve much success as a mystery writer and had only two other mysteries published -- but I plan to read them!
August 24, 2021
C.W. Grafton is Sue Grafton's father so that is what attracted me to this book. It is humorous and a good tale, but it is definitely written at another time in history, in the days of "he" men and women who are considered not quite up to the task. I gave it four stars for reminding me how grateful I am that attitude has changed, though not completely.
November 14, 2021
I guess I don’t much like comedy in mysteries
April 8, 2021
Grafton, the bond lawyer father of Sue Grafton, meant this novel to be the first of eight. He wrote two and the draft of a third, plus two other novels> He meant to take up writing as full-time business when he was seventy-five, but died at seventy-two, the victim of a fifth-a-day drinking habit. Nevertheless, his first Gil Henry novel is pretty good, though it involves the investigation of a crime or two that isn't hard to unravel, even if staying alive was a bit hard. One feature that sets Grafton aspart was his sense of humor, and his ability to craft snarky commentary by Henry (like what Fletcher Flora did later). It was good enough to get a positive mention in Barzun andd Taylor's "Catalogue of Crime." They didn't like the second book, "The Rope Began to Hang the Butcher," quite as much, but I'll track it down anyway, as I like Gil Henry.
July 7, 2021
Dated in all the race and gender ways one might expect of a book published in 1943, but still a smart and compelling mystery.
November 1, 2021
A "Library of Congress Crime Classsic", written by the father of Sue Grafton (herself a mystery writer), I would have given it another star, but the accounting conversations and plot were a little difficult to follow at times. It starts out just a bit simplistic, but the characters are well-developed, you have to like the main character, and the plot is good. G. W. Grafton also adds just the right touch of humor to his mysteries, which makes it all the better.
October 15, 2021
When you see the Library of Congress Crime Classic, you know you’re in for a treat. Then you see it’s the 3rd printing in over 60 years and know you’re in for a treat. And you are! #5starread
March 1, 2022
For my full review click on the link below:
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May 28, 2020
An Intriguing Noir Mystery
I was drawn to this novel by the title and banner on the cover that read, “Library of Congress Crime Classic.” Having not read any of the classic noir detective novels of the ‘30s and ‘40s, this novel appeared to be an excellent opportunity to explore this genre. I was not disappointed.
The novel opens with the main character, Gil Henry, a junior partner in a law firm, receives in his office Ruth McClure, from Harpersville, 25 miles away. Her father died recently, and he had 1,000 shares of stock in the company where he worked. She wanted to know the value of the stock, but not its value based upon value on the stock exchange. The reason was that the owner of the company was not offering to buy it as its current low price but for $110 a share, near or at its original value. Gil agrees travel to Harpersville find out what he can. He clears the trip with the senior partner who provides a car. As he traveled south, the events start to travel south. Suddenly, he hears an explosion, and the car crashes. Upon searching, he finds a bullet in what remains of the tube from his left rear tire.
From this start the novel unfolds with turns and twists. Since Gil does not get along well with authority. Soon after meeting with Mr. Harper and the local sheriff he is forced to leave Harperville and apparently breaking his promise to help Ruth McClure. This is but the first layer of onion that Gil needs to peel back to find out the truth, but each layer reveals more facets that complicate finding that truth. It was refreshing to read an old fashioned mystery without all of the technology that is ubiquitous to mysteries set in modern times. The main story kept my attention throughout.
The B-storyline on Gil Henry is very light. Most of his character must be gained by his actions. He has many noir-like characteristics. His remarks and descriptions are always snarky. He is a little fatalistic in many of his actions. Lastly, while Gil describes himself as, “I am no ladies’ man and girls have never thought much of my short pudgy figure,” doesn’t mean that he doesn’t take some liberties with the fairer gender. As for the other characters, the men are strong and authoritative, and women are weaker or have some other limitations.
There are not any intimate scenes, and vulgar language is non-existent. Violence does occur but is not graphic. Readers should not be any objections concerning these aspects of the novel. What I especially liked about this Library of Congress version of this novel was the excellent forward and introduction that provided the background behind the author, who is the father of the more famous author Sue Grafton, and the novel. Also, excellent chapter endnotes were added to provide background on to readers 75 plus years later are probably obscure. Generally, I like reading novels on an e-reader so that when I find something that I do not understand, I can use the easy Internet access to fill in my lack of knowledge. The end notes significantly reduced that need.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel. All of the loose ends were neatly tied up at the end. The read was easy and the flow steady. My attention was kept throughout the novel. Overall, I rate this novel with four stars. If this genre interests you, do give it a try.
I have received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Poisoned Pen Press with an expectation for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
I was drawn to this novel by the title and banner on the cover that read, “Library of Congress Crime Classic.” Having not read any of the classic noir detective novels of the ‘30s and ‘40s, this novel appeared to be an excellent opportunity to explore this genre. I was not disappointed.
The novel opens with the main character, Gil Henry, a junior partner in a law firm, receives in his office Ruth McClure, from Harpersville, 25 miles away. Her father died recently, and he had 1,000 shares of stock in the company where he worked. She wanted to know the value of the stock, but not its value based upon value on the stock exchange. The reason was that the owner of the company was not offering to buy it as its current low price but for $110 a share, near or at its original value. Gil agrees travel to Harpersville find out what he can. He clears the trip with the senior partner who provides a car. As he traveled south, the events start to travel south. Suddenly, he hears an explosion, and the car crashes. Upon searching, he finds a bullet in what remains of the tube from his left rear tire.
From this start the novel unfolds with turns and twists. Since Gil does not get along well with authority. Soon after meeting with Mr. Harper and the local sheriff he is forced to leave Harperville and apparently breaking his promise to help Ruth McClure. This is but the first layer of onion that Gil needs to peel back to find out the truth, but each layer reveals more facets that complicate finding that truth. It was refreshing to read an old fashioned mystery without all of the technology that is ubiquitous to mysteries set in modern times. The main story kept my attention throughout.
The B-storyline on Gil Henry is very light. Most of his character must be gained by his actions. He has many noir-like characteristics. His remarks and descriptions are always snarky. He is a little fatalistic in many of his actions. Lastly, while Gil describes himself as, “I am no ladies’ man and girls have never thought much of my short pudgy figure,” doesn’t mean that he doesn’t take some liberties with the fairer gender. As for the other characters, the men are strong and authoritative, and women are weaker or have some other limitations.
There are not any intimate scenes, and vulgar language is non-existent. Violence does occur but is not graphic. Readers should not be any objections concerning these aspects of the novel. What I especially liked about this Library of Congress version of this novel was the excellent forward and introduction that provided the background behind the author, who is the father of the more famous author Sue Grafton, and the novel. Also, excellent chapter endnotes were added to provide background on to readers 75 plus years later are probably obscure. Generally, I like reading novels on an e-reader so that when I find something that I do not understand, I can use the easy Internet access to fill in my lack of knowledge. The end notes significantly reduced that need.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this novel. All of the loose ends were neatly tied up at the end. The read was easy and the flow steady. My attention was kept throughout the novel. Overall, I rate this novel with four stars. If this genre interests you, do give it a try.
I have received a free e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Poisoned Pen Press with an expectation for an honest, unbiased review. I wish to thank Poisoned Pen Press for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
June 26, 2020
Stands on Its Own
This book is being played up in part as something of a curiosity -- a 1940's detective novel by the father of modern crime writer Sue Grafton. Well guess what? This is more fun and certainly as well written as anything of Sue's and stands quite nicely on its own both as an entertaining read and as a fine example of what many consider the Golden Age of crime writing.
Our hero, Gil, is not a hardened p.i., but rather a young lawyer who has been engaged to value some inherited stock. The blurbs keep describing Gil as "short, chubby, and awkward with members of the opposite sex" , which suggests a schlubby sort of guy who's in over his head. That is a false and misleading blurb. O.K., Gil is short and is a bit chubby. He's also smart, tough, resourceful, keenly observant, and a very smart cookie. He always has his wits about him, he's a take charge kind of guy, and he can handle a gat when a dame's in distress. He can take a beating and keep on ticking, and he has exactly the right dry, deadpan sense of humor that every hard boiled hero has to have. He may not be any way nearly as well known as Spade or Marlowe, but he fits quite comfortably into their company.
The plot is based on stock and financial trickery, sort of. That really leads to lots more secrets, which leads to a lot of violent crime. So while at first this might look like it's going to just be about complex financial crimes, we go noir quickly. In fact the whole book is crisp, almost staccato, and screams along at a nice pace, with plenty of warning shots and strong arming. (But remember, Gil just keeps ticking no matter who's pointing a gun at him.)
I thought this would just be the curiosity it was suggested it would be, and instead I got a ripping, high octane, and exceptionally well-written and plotted, (and slyly amusing), old school detective novel. A wonderful and pleasant surprise.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
This book is being played up in part as something of a curiosity -- a 1940's detective novel by the father of modern crime writer Sue Grafton. Well guess what? This is more fun and certainly as well written as anything of Sue's and stands quite nicely on its own both as an entertaining read and as a fine example of what many consider the Golden Age of crime writing.
Our hero, Gil, is not a hardened p.i., but rather a young lawyer who has been engaged to value some inherited stock. The blurbs keep describing Gil as "short, chubby, and awkward with members of the opposite sex" , which suggests a schlubby sort of guy who's in over his head. That is a false and misleading blurb. O.K., Gil is short and is a bit chubby. He's also smart, tough, resourceful, keenly observant, and a very smart cookie. He always has his wits about him, he's a take charge kind of guy, and he can handle a gat when a dame's in distress. He can take a beating and keep on ticking, and he has exactly the right dry, deadpan sense of humor that every hard boiled hero has to have. He may not be any way nearly as well known as Spade or Marlowe, but he fits quite comfortably into their company.
The plot is based on stock and financial trickery, sort of. That really leads to lots more secrets, which leads to a lot of violent crime. So while at first this might look like it's going to just be about complex financial crimes, we go noir quickly. In fact the whole book is crisp, almost staccato, and screams along at a nice pace, with plenty of warning shots and strong arming. (But remember, Gil just keeps ticking no matter who's pointing a gun at him.)
I thought this would just be the curiosity it was suggested it would be, and instead I got a ripping, high octane, and exceptionally well-written and plotted, (and slyly amusing), old school detective novel. A wonderful and pleasant surprise.
(Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
June 5, 2020
Lately I have been reading several of the British Library Crime Classics, reissues of golden-age mysteries from the 1920s and later. So I guess it’s about time that I give equal weight to crime classics from this side of the pond, reissued by the US Library of Congress. And what a fine start: “The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope”, a 1943 mystery from C.W. Grafton.
The story is a combination of hardboiled detective book, pulp novel, and wisecracking humor – a rare combination for this time period. And yes, some of the comments and characterizations would not be acceptable in this day and age, but there isn’t that much to offend people, unless you are really trying to look for it.
The story centers on the lawyer Gilmore Henry, a junior partner at his law firm. Miss Ruth McClure seeks him out, her father recently died in an accident and she wants Gil to help her understand why her father’s boss is offering to buy his outstanding stock shares for a very high premium.
Of course, things are not as simple as they seem. No sooner has Gil agreed to help her then someone tries to kill him, suspiciously similar to Miss McClure’s father’s accident. Soon we are involved in the standard golden age mystery issues: multiple murders, odd neighbors with secrets, old family secrets, cold-hearted industrialists, illegitimate sons, sheriff in the pocket of the rich family, multiple suitors for the rich daughter, overheard telephone conversations, hidden wills, and in the middle of it all the amateur detective, getting beat up and trying to figure it all out for all of the right reasons.
Anyone who has read anything from this time period won’t be too surprised at the outcome, but Mr. Grafton does a great job weaving the story among the well-drawn characters, keeping everything just this side of believable. A very entertaining pulp novel with a satisfying conclusion.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
The story is a combination of hardboiled detective book, pulp novel, and wisecracking humor – a rare combination for this time period. And yes, some of the comments and characterizations would not be acceptable in this day and age, but there isn’t that much to offend people, unless you are really trying to look for it.
The story centers on the lawyer Gilmore Henry, a junior partner at his law firm. Miss Ruth McClure seeks him out, her father recently died in an accident and she wants Gil to help her understand why her father’s boss is offering to buy his outstanding stock shares for a very high premium.
Of course, things are not as simple as they seem. No sooner has Gil agreed to help her then someone tries to kill him, suspiciously similar to Miss McClure’s father’s accident. Soon we are involved in the standard golden age mystery issues: multiple murders, odd neighbors with secrets, old family secrets, cold-hearted industrialists, illegitimate sons, sheriff in the pocket of the rich family, multiple suitors for the rich daughter, overheard telephone conversations, hidden wills, and in the middle of it all the amateur detective, getting beat up and trying to figure it all out for all of the right reasons.
Anyone who has read anything from this time period won’t be too surprised at the outcome, but Mr. Grafton does a great job weaving the story among the well-drawn characters, keeping everything just this side of believable. A very entertaining pulp novel with a satisfying conclusion.
I requested and received a free advanced electronic copy from Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
June 21, 2020
What a pleasure to have the chance to reread this treasure from 1943. I read it in my teens having raided the family library after inhaling the books of Rex Stout, Dame Agatha Christie, Dorothy L. Sayers, et al. I'm sure the local librarian wouldn't have approved as Golden Age Noir wasn't deemed appropriate for young ladies. All I have to say is the second reading, as an adult, was great. Age has given me a new perspective. Even if you shy away from noir, give this one a try. The humor and the wonderful character of Gilmore "Gil" Henry foreshadow the wisecracking and underestimated amateur investigator we enjoy now.
Gil is a lawyer in a law firm but just barely. One day his secretary announces that a Miss Ruth McClure is here to see him. Little does Gil know what danger will befall him when he takes her on as a client. It sounds simple enough. Miss McClure has inherited some shares in a company from her late father and that, in and of itself, is no cause for worry. But worry she does when the owner of the company, her fathers employer, offers way more than those shares are worth on the NY stock exchange. Plus there are other pieces to the deal that have Ruth turning to a lawyer to help figure out what is really going on. When Gil takes the case and travels to Harpersville, KY to snoop around there are people who want him stopped. At great cost to Gil's life and his poor noggin. He takes a lot of hits but bounces back, full of wisecracks. I'm sorry there were only two books in this series and I hope that Poisoned Pen Press will also publish the second, The Rope Began to Hang the Butcher. C. W. "Chip" Grafton may have only written a total of three books but that was more than enough to plant the idea in the head of his very talented daughter, Sue Grafton, to write her Kinsey Millhone series.
My thanks to the publisher Poisoned Pen Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Gil is a lawyer in a law firm but just barely. One day his secretary announces that a Miss Ruth McClure is here to see him. Little does Gil know what danger will befall him when he takes her on as a client. It sounds simple enough. Miss McClure has inherited some shares in a company from her late father and that, in and of itself, is no cause for worry. But worry she does when the owner of the company, her fathers employer, offers way more than those shares are worth on the NY stock exchange. Plus there are other pieces to the deal that have Ruth turning to a lawyer to help figure out what is really going on. When Gil takes the case and travels to Harpersville, KY to snoop around there are people who want him stopped. At great cost to Gil's life and his poor noggin. He takes a lot of hits but bounces back, full of wisecracks. I'm sorry there were only two books in this series and I hope that Poisoned Pen Press will also publish the second, The Rope Began to Hang the Butcher. C. W. "Chip" Grafton may have only written a total of three books but that was more than enough to plant the idea in the head of his very talented daughter, Sue Grafton, to write her Kinsey Millhone series.
My thanks to the publisher Poisoned Pen Press and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 12, 2020
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope is a golden age American noir gem by C. W. Grafton. Originally published in 1943, this re-format and re-release from Poisoned Pen Press is part of the Library of Congress Crime Classics series. It's 304 pages (in the print edition) and available in paperback and ebook formats. Other editions are available in other formats.
This is a beautifully engineered gem of a book. The protagonist, a young lawyer, doesn't fit the bill of the jaded cynical gumshoe, but he's brilliant and tenacious and I enjoyed the story from start to finish. There's murder, mayhem, skullduggery aplenty, and wrongs to right along the way. Protagonist "Gil" Henry is a wisecracking terrier of a man (despite being self-described as "pudgy" and "no great shakes at drinking") and no matter what the bad guys do, he's right there dogging their footsteps and driving the story arc. The denouement is satisfying and resolves into a good ending. Admittedly it was a product of its time period and there are a few scenes which have not aged particularly well in the intervening 77 years. Overall, however, it's a well written and tightly plotted humorous noir mystery. I wish the author had been able to finish the projected 8 book series featuring Gil (he finished 2 and part of the 3rd before his death).
This edition is enhanced by the inclusion of historical notes and background information as well as book club discussion guided question prompts. A foreword by Dr. Carla Hayden (Librarian of Congress) also provides some historical background context.
Four stars. I enjoyed it very much.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope is a golden age American noir gem by C. W. Grafton. Originally published in 1943, this re-format and re-release from Poisoned Pen Press is part of the Library of Congress Crime Classics series. It's 304 pages (in the print edition) and available in paperback and ebook formats. Other editions are available in other formats.
This is a beautifully engineered gem of a book. The protagonist, a young lawyer, doesn't fit the bill of the jaded cynical gumshoe, but he's brilliant and tenacious and I enjoyed the story from start to finish. There's murder, mayhem, skullduggery aplenty, and wrongs to right along the way. Protagonist "Gil" Henry is a wisecracking terrier of a man (despite being self-described as "pudgy" and "no great shakes at drinking") and no matter what the bad guys do, he's right there dogging their footsteps and driving the story arc. The denouement is satisfying and resolves into a good ending. Admittedly it was a product of its time period and there are a few scenes which have not aged particularly well in the intervening 77 years. Overall, however, it's a well written and tightly plotted humorous noir mystery. I wish the author had been able to finish the projected 8 book series featuring Gil (he finished 2 and part of the 3rd before his death).
This edition is enhanced by the inclusion of historical notes and background information as well as book club discussion guided question prompts. A foreword by Dr. Carla Hayden (Librarian of Congress) also provides some historical background context.
Four stars. I enjoyed it very much.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
October 7, 2020
This is a book written in 1943 by C.W. Grafton, father of Sue Grafton (of Kinsey Millhone fame). The Depression is over and America hasn’t entered World War II yet. Gil Henry is a lawyer. He is pudgy and average looking at best. His life takes a dramatic turn when Ruth McClure steps into his office. Ruth’s father died in a car accident. He has left her and her brother some shares in the company in which he had been employed. When the powerful owner of the company offers her three or four times what the shares are worth, Ruth gets suspicious and comes to Gil to ask him to determine the actual value of the shares. Gil is immediately put in danger with an attempt on his life. Why? Gil is curious. He doesn’t think he is brave, but throughout the book he is beaten multiple times and keeps digging. He gathers lots of clues, but can’t seem to fit the puzzle together. When the powerful business owner is murdered, Ruth’s brother is the prime suspect. Gil keeps digging. When the McClure’s neighbor is murdered, Gil keeps digging. This re-release contains footnotes along the way to explain some of the history and some of the popular references in the text. The attitudes towards women will rub some people the wrong way, but it is 1943. The book combines the determined and somewhat humorous Everyman Gil with hard boiled crime noir of the time. I thought the plot was clever.
December 16, 2020
The second release in the new Library of Congress collection of crime classics. Written in 1943, it is billed as one of the first crime novels to include a bit of humor. I question that, since a few of Erle Stanley Gardner's Cool and Lam stories pre-date this, but perhaps those are considered legal mysteries rather than hard boiled crime novels.
The protagonist is Gil Henry, a stocky, unattractive little man and a junior partner in a law firm. Poor Gil takes on a seemingly dull assignment regarding the actual stock value of a local company and the odd financial payouts by the company's owner. The case leads to a series of developments and discoveries that become quite puzzling, and Gil is beaten and shot for his troubles. It's story of greed, blackmail and murder.
It's maybe a bit too long for the genre, but it's well written with a good balance of mystery, violence and legal details (Grafton was an attorney, and yes, he's the father of contemporary author Sue Grafton).
The Library of Congress editor provides useful footnotes here and there, which is an aspect of this new series (along with some introductory remarks) that I enjoy. Definitely worth reading if you're a fan of the genre, or just like a good crime story. As the editor reminds us, it is a product of its time and contains some cultural references that might cause one to cringe, but part of the fun is to take yourself back in time in these stories.
The protagonist is Gil Henry, a stocky, unattractive little man and a junior partner in a law firm. Poor Gil takes on a seemingly dull assignment regarding the actual stock value of a local company and the odd financial payouts by the company's owner. The case leads to a series of developments and discoveries that become quite puzzling, and Gil is beaten and shot for his troubles. It's story of greed, blackmail and murder.
It's maybe a bit too long for the genre, but it's well written with a good balance of mystery, violence and legal details (Grafton was an attorney, and yes, he's the father of contemporary author Sue Grafton).
The Library of Congress editor provides useful footnotes here and there, which is an aspect of this new series (along with some introductory remarks) that I enjoy. Definitely worth reading if you're a fan of the genre, or just like a good crime story. As the editor reminds us, it is a product of its time and contains some cultural references that might cause one to cringe, but part of the fun is to take yourself back in time in these stories.
January 17, 2023
First off, can I say how much I love these books? Every time I pick one of these books, I'm not disappointed. I particularly like the introductions which lay out the historical significance as well as the foot notes, which point out the sayings and dialect of the time.
This is definitely one of the most engaging reads from the publisher. Written by C.W. Grafton - the father of Sue Grafton - the book follows lawyer Gil Henry as he's drawn into a tangled web of murder, money and deceit. What drew me to this book is the fact that Gil Henry himself is not your typical investigator - he's a short, somewhat pudgy man in his mid-30's (I can relate to one of those myself). I also liked Grafton's descriptions, which are often downright hilarious when read aloud.
There a few caveats. As a book written in the midst of World War II, it does have it's fair share of racism and misogyny. The introduction warns as much. I'm also a bit frustrated with Gil Henry himself - I wanted to enjoy a tale of an everyman - smarter than most, but a far cry from Humphrey Bogart - thrust into a mystery. The book mostly delivers, but there are a few moments - particularly when Henry is talking to women - that he starts spouting off like a hard-boiled detective that rang at worst, sexist, and even at best, particularly fake. It took me out of the book a few times, even with the warning in the introduction. Still, it's definitely an underrated classic that's worth checking out.
This is definitely one of the most engaging reads from the publisher. Written by C.W. Grafton - the father of Sue Grafton - the book follows lawyer Gil Henry as he's drawn into a tangled web of murder, money and deceit. What drew me to this book is the fact that Gil Henry himself is not your typical investigator - he's a short, somewhat pudgy man in his mid-30's (I can relate to one of those myself). I also liked Grafton's descriptions, which are often downright hilarious when read aloud.
There a few caveats. As a book written in the midst of World War II, it does have it's fair share of racism and misogyny. The introduction warns as much. I'm also a bit frustrated with Gil Henry himself - I wanted to enjoy a tale of an everyman - smarter than most, but a far cry from Humphrey Bogart - thrust into a mystery. The book mostly delivers, but there are a few moments - particularly when Henry is talking to women - that he starts spouting off like a hard-boiled detective that rang at worst, sexist, and even at best, particularly fake. It took me out of the book a few times, even with the warning in the introduction. Still, it's definitely an underrated classic that's worth checking out.
June 14, 2020
I am so glad that classics in the crime genre are being brought back into print! The Library of Congress Crimes Classic "The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope" is the first (of only 3) crime novels by C.W. Grafton. It was originally published in 1943 and is a great example of the slightly humorous hard-boiled crime novel.
Gil Henry is a lawyer who is hired by Ruth McClure to investigate the true value of some stock owned by her late father. The plot is complex, with a number of suspects and clues peppered throughout.
Hard-boiled/noir is not my favorite of the crime genre, but I really enjoyed this book. It was well-written and entertaining.
I really liked the additions by the Library of Congress of an introduction and endnotes. The endnotes were especially helpful as they explained elements of 1940's life in America that were (mostly) unfamiliar to me.
Although written in 1943, WWII is not mentioned in the story. I appreciated the author's Note About the War at the end of the book that acknowledged the reality of war and the sacrifices that would be made.
Gil Henry is a lawyer who is hired by Ruth McClure to investigate the true value of some stock owned by her late father. The plot is complex, with a number of suspects and clues peppered throughout.
Hard-boiled/noir is not my favorite of the crime genre, but I really enjoyed this book. It was well-written and entertaining.
I really liked the additions by the Library of Congress of an introduction and endnotes. The endnotes were especially helpful as they explained elements of 1940's life in America that were (mostly) unfamiliar to me.
Although written in 1943, WWII is not mentioned in the story. I appreciated the author's Note About the War at the end of the book that acknowledged the reality of war and the sacrifices that would be made.
May 19, 2020
My surprise " hit" mystery novel of the year so far! Eminently-readable, and a page turner in the true sense of the phrase. It is well-written, with a skilful plot. The characterisation is neat, and it has the most endearingly-bumbling, yet somehow, acute, amateur detective, Gil Henry as its "hero".
It is humorous and "soft-boiled"- I lost count of the number of times Gil was rendered unconscious- and has insights into life in the USA on the eve of war, being first published in 1943. I would love to read this writer's two further crime novels.
I have no hesitation in recommending this book. However, I found the footnotes exceptionally irritating, somewhat patronising, and of little real use in enhancing my enjoyment of the story. In these days of readily accessible information, there was nothing which could not have been elucidated, if need be, online.
4.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital ARC.
It is humorous and "soft-boiled"- I lost count of the number of times Gil was rendered unconscious- and has insights into life in the USA on the eve of war, being first published in 1943. I would love to read this writer's two further crime novels.
I have no hesitation in recommending this book. However, I found the footnotes exceptionally irritating, somewhat patronising, and of little real use in enhancing my enjoyment of the story. In these days of readily accessible information, there was nothing which could not have been elucidated, if need be, online.
4.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the digital ARC.
October 2, 2021
Attorney Gil Henry gets a call to help a woman sell some stock. He's not exactly the right person to do this, but he helps anyway. And that's when trouble starts. His car tire is shot out. The man trying to buy the stock is shot to death. His client's adopted brother is arrested for the murder. The wife of the stock buyer dies suddenly. Along the line, Gil is thrown off the case by his boss, he's beat up...multiple times, he's shot. Can Gil solve the murders? This was the first mystery published by C. W. Grafton. Written in 1943, it's a look into the world in the middle of World War II. The language is rough, indicative of the time. And it's a top-notch mystery. This book is also considered one of the earliest examples of putting humor into a mystery. Oh, and in case you recognize the name Grafton, C. W. was the father of Sue Grafton.
January 17, 2024
i LOVED this book.
is it groundbreaking? no.
does it confront lots of good points and provide useful commentary about the social climate just before wwii? no.
is it entertaining? hell yes it is.
i found myself giggling at this book just about every other page. the first person narration of gil henry was a stroke of comedic genius. the disgruntled and suspicious way he views the world, paired with his snappy personality is the perfect way to tell this story while keeping readers interested. the mystery itself is subpar. it was twisty and unexpected, but i don’t think it could have held up on its own sans our sassy lawyer mucking about.
nontheless, i would recommend this book to anyone who’ll listen. any fan of true crime, or noir era media would absolutely eat this novel up, just as i did.
is it groundbreaking? no.
does it confront lots of good points and provide useful commentary about the social climate just before wwii? no.
is it entertaining? hell yes it is.
i found myself giggling at this book just about every other page. the first person narration of gil henry was a stroke of comedic genius. the disgruntled and suspicious way he views the world, paired with his snappy personality is the perfect way to tell this story while keeping readers interested. the mystery itself is subpar. it was twisty and unexpected, but i don’t think it could have held up on its own sans our sassy lawyer mucking about.
nontheless, i would recommend this book to anyone who’ll listen. any fan of true crime, or noir era media would absolutely eat this novel up, just as i did.
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