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The Wary Transgressor
The sensuous splendour of Lago Maggiore, Milan and Florence is a setting for a ruthless murder plan... a sinister danse macabre, the first steps of which are taken when a young army deserter falls into the hands of a wealthy and cruel woman planning to kill her husband and step-daughter.But, unexpectedly, Fate intervenes and sets a deadly trap for - The Wary Transgressor...
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First published January 1, 1952
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About the author
James Hadley Chase
646 books1,005 followersRené 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.
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.
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September 2, 2020
Set in Italy,this is the story of a soldier,who is compelled by circumstances,to become a deserter.
He falls for a beautiful woman,who has a rich paralysed husband. She is a familiar Chase character,a conniving,gold digging woman,who will use all means including murder,to get her hands on the money. She plans to use him to carry out her plan. But she does not figure on her accomplice having a change of heart.
This book introduced me to James Hadley Chase,and his brand of non stop,violent action thrillers.It impressed me sufficiently.This is among his better books,though he has used this formula in several of his books.
(3.5 stars)
He falls for a beautiful woman,who has a rich paralysed husband. She is a familiar Chase character,a conniving,gold digging woman,who will use all means including murder,to get her hands on the money. She plans to use him to carry out her plan. But she does not figure on her accomplice having a change of heart.
This book introduced me to James Hadley Chase,and his brand of non stop,violent action thrillers.It impressed me sufficiently.This is among his better books,though he has used this formula in several of his books.
(3.5 stars)
October 31, 2021
Chase’s 1954 thriller, The Wary Trangressor, is set in post-war northern Italy. The main character, David Chisholm, is an American ex-pat without a work permit, who offers his services as a tour guide to the hordes of American tourists besieging the ancient sites. He’s down to his last penny when a breathtakingly beautiful Laura engages his services.
Though American too, Laura lives in a lakeside villa with her invalid millionaire husband and needs someone to lift him from time to time. Of course, Laura isn’t all that innocent and is a typical Hadley Chase golddigger impatient for the old guy to croak and thinks Chisholm is just the guy to help her and, to that end, she employs her ample charms.
Laura is a bit too one-dimensional of a character, but Chisholm is interesting because he thinks of himself as a good guy caught in the clutches of forces beyond his control. His backstory is not apparent until about midway through the book when we learn the reason he’s stuck in Italy with no work permit is that he us an Army deserter on the run. The story is told through his eyes and, of course, he’s always the innocent dupe even when he’s plotting murder.
This thriller is a bit slow for one of Chase’s adventures, but the pieces slowly and inexorably come together as the noose tightens around Chisholm’s neck and he finds himself in a cage from which there is no escape. As usual, Chase uses his story to breathe new life into common themes.
Though American too, Laura lives in a lakeside villa with her invalid millionaire husband and needs someone to lift him from time to time. Of course, Laura isn’t all that innocent and is a typical Hadley Chase golddigger impatient for the old guy to croak and thinks Chisholm is just the guy to help her and, to that end, she employs her ample charms.
Laura is a bit too one-dimensional of a character, but Chisholm is interesting because he thinks of himself as a good guy caught in the clutches of forces beyond his control. His backstory is not apparent until about midway through the book when we learn the reason he’s stuck in Italy with no work permit is that he us an Army deserter on the run. The story is told through his eyes and, of course, he’s always the innocent dupe even when he’s plotting murder.
This thriller is a bit slow for one of Chase’s adventures, but the pieces slowly and inexorably come together as the noose tightens around Chisholm’s neck and he finds himself in a cage from which there is no escape. As usual, Chase uses his story to breathe new life into common themes.
December 13, 2017
Bel giallo. Veloce, avvincente e scritto bene.
La vicenda si snoda tra Milano e il mio lago Maggiore, per questo motivo aggiungo la quinta stellina
La vicenda si snoda tra Milano e il mio lago Maggiore, per questo motivo aggiungo la quinta stellina
February 17, 2021
Another novel originally published under the pseudonym, Raymond Marshall, and I think I see a clearly established pattern. These Raymond Marshall books tend to be more experimental, with more elevated prose than the usual JHC novel, and take place in non-American settings. But this isn't true across the board--the offbeat Miss Shumway Waves Her Wand is a JHC novel. This story takes place in northern Italy and concerns the machinations of two American expats grifting their way through postwar Italy, David Chisholm and Laura Francino. One is being framed for a wartime murder, while the other is plotting a murder. At the end of the story, JHC has produced what is probably his most sympathetic villain and murderer.
The pace of the story is slow at first, unlike most JHC novels. But it builds towards an exciting enough crescendo. I had to stop and put the book down the last few pages, because while I knew what was coming, I didn't want it to occur. I bet like a horror film, when you know a victim should not go up the darkened stairs and open that lonely door to blackness.
Interesting note: the central chapter, exactly half way through, is a flashback to World War II and tells the story of a crazed American general who is a serial killer of young women. This idea became the inspiration for both the novel and film version of The Night of the Generals.
The pace of the story is slow at first, unlike most JHC novels. But it builds towards an exciting enough crescendo. I had to stop and put the book down the last few pages, because while I knew what was coming, I didn't want it to occur. I bet like a horror film, when you know a victim should not go up the darkened stairs and open that lonely door to blackness.
Interesting note: the central chapter, exactly half way through, is a flashback to World War II and tells the story of a crazed American general who is a serial killer of young women. This idea became the inspiration for both the novel and film version of The Night of the Generals.
April 10, 2017
A down at the heel army deserter finds himself swept off his feet by the glamorous young wife of a wealthy Italian nobleman, who is now lying paralysed and unable to move or speak after a car accident. Recruited as an aide with plush living quarters at the villa and access to his lady love, he soon finds a sinister lining to his newfound luck. Things change once again with the entry of Valeria, the lively, innocent young daughter of his boss, to whom he loses his heart. But with the master story teller Chase, one never knows what will happen. Numerous twists and turns follow, before the story reaches its conclusion.
November 22, 2024
James Hardy Chase was one of the best known thriller writers of all time. The canon of Chase, comprising 90 titles, earned him a reputation as the king of thriller writers in Europe and the world , and to date 50 of his books have been made into films.
Now coming back to this one, well as usual, the hero or the hero in is the down and out underdog who gets caught up into a web of deceit and manipulations.
This is a book which is simply unput downable. Once you start you would want to finish it.
This book is actually meant for teenagers and the college going crowd but even the others can have a go at it and believe me it really is a thriller.
Now coming back to this one, well as usual, the hero or the hero in is the down and out underdog who gets caught up into a web of deceit and manipulations.
This is a book which is simply unput downable. Once you start you would want to finish it.
This book is actually meant for teenagers and the college going crowd but even the others can have a go at it and believe me it really is a thriller.
April 13, 2024
They gave David too much credit for his 'intelligence '.
May 13, 2017
He met her when he was despondent directing visitors round the sights of Milan. She was rich, lovely and confident. He was a down-at-heel stray on the keep running from the police. So when she recommended eating with him, David couldn't trust his luckiness. Be that as it may, it wasn't generally fortunes that had organized their meeting. It was only a little piece of the arrangement Laura's arrangement in which David remained to acquire more than six thousand lire. All he needed to do was help submit kill.
March 19, 2023
The novel starts a tad slow but Chase is just arranging the pieces. Once that is done the story gains momentum. It is a very detailed story with just about not a single sympathetic character, except Bruno. But you have the feeling that David may escape the web of circumstances but alas with Chase that is not the case (pun intended).
What I liked was the character never deviated from what we expected from them. Yet to find a author who writes more compelling novels. The plot was not fresh but the author added his own twist to it.
The novel starts with David an army deserter, making a living in Rome as a tourist guide meeting Laura an American with a bed ridden husband. Laura knows all about David and intends to use him as a cats paw to get rid of her husband and get her hands on his wealth.
But fate takes over when Laura's stepdaughter arrives..
What I liked was the character never deviated from what we expected from them. Yet to find a author who writes more compelling novels. The plot was not fresh but the author added his own twist to it.
The novel starts with David an army deserter, making a living in Rome as a tourist guide meeting Laura an American with a bed ridden husband. Laura knows all about David and intends to use him as a cats paw to get rid of her husband and get her hands on his wealth.
But fate takes over when Laura's stepdaughter arrives..
April 26, 2017
The unexpected turn of events in the grand finale of The Wary Transgressorwill bowl you over. But the turns in the beginning, the middle, or even before the action began, i.e. during the protagonist's past are no less interesting. The book opens up the vicious nature of greed. The protagonist is determined to stay clear of the snares of temptation, but his determination is taken a bit too far in the end. Smart in his thinking and moves throughout he emrges as the real sucker in the end, in the true tradition of James Hadley Chase.
November 7, 2016
Good book, but similar plot to other JHC books - a gold digger enticing an innocent man to help her get the money. Wish JHC was not such a misogynist. This spoils what would otherwise would be an excellent crime thriller.
September 27, 2016
Typical trip hammer excitement and edge of the seat story, only Chase's preference to sometimes provide his stories with not so happy endings makes this a sad ended tale.
May 21, 2019
E alla fine arriva il Nero
Il romanzo è ambientato nell'Italia del secondo dopo guerra.
David, un americano da qualche anno nel nostro bel paese, cerca di sopravvivere come meglio può a Milano, tra un lavoretto e l'altro.
Incontra una donna, se ne invaghisce e, corrisposto, si trasferisce nei pressi del lago Maggiore. Qui, piano piano, gli si svela davanti una realtà meno rosea di quella immaginata.
Dopo una caricaturale parte iniziale che ho mal digerito - personaggi e dialoghi - alcune cose sono migliorate:
- La tensione, ad esempio, Chase è riuscito a mantenerla viva a più riprese fino alla fine.
- L'ossessione, che investe David costantemente facendo dubitare il lettore su ciò che realmente sta avvenendo nella sua vita e intorno a lui.
- Il finale... che, oltre ad essere imprevisto, per quanto mi riguarda ha ristabilito un po' di quel colore Nero mancatomi in tutte le pagine precedenti.
Ritornando sui personaggi, invece, hanno mantenuto sempre quel profilo da burattini nelle mani del burattinaio tipici del giallo da camera chiusa che io sopporto poco, per non dire che disprezzo.
Comunque, al di là della mia ultima considerazione, che rientra nel gusto personale, il romanzo tiene incollati alle pagine.
3½
Il romanzo è ambientato nell'Italia del secondo dopo guerra.
David, un americano da qualche anno nel nostro bel paese, cerca di sopravvivere come meglio può a Milano, tra un lavoretto e l'altro.
Incontra una donna, se ne invaghisce e, corrisposto, si trasferisce nei pressi del lago Maggiore. Qui, piano piano, gli si svela davanti una realtà meno rosea di quella immaginata.
Dopo una caricaturale parte iniziale che ho mal digerito - personaggi e dialoghi - alcune cose sono migliorate:
- La tensione, ad esempio, Chase è riuscito a mantenerla viva a più riprese fino alla fine.
- L'ossessione, che investe David costantemente facendo dubitare il lettore su ciò che realmente sta avvenendo nella sua vita e intorno a lui.
- Il finale... che, oltre ad essere imprevisto, per quanto mi riguarda ha ristabilito un po' di quel colore Nero mancatomi in tutte le pagine precedenti.
Ritornando sui personaggi, invece, hanno mantenuto sempre quel profilo da burattini nelle mani del burattinaio tipici del giallo da camera chiusa che io sopporto poco, per non dire che disprezzo.
Comunque, al di là della mia ultima considerazione, che rientra nel gusto personale, il romanzo tiene incollati alle pagine.
3½
November 9, 2025
📖 Book Review: The Weary Transgressor by James Hadley Chase
The Weary Transgressor follows David Chesham, a young army deserter who ends up in the hands of a wealthy but cruel woman planning to kill her husband and stepdaughter for money. But a twist of fate sets a deadly trap for the weary transgressor himself.
I really enjoyed this book — the mystery and intensity were absolutely on point. David took the fall for a murder actually committed by the general he served under — a psychotic killer with random bursts of violence. Later, David overhears Laura plotting to kill her husband and decides to kill her instead. What an idiot! Tell someone and make a better plan, right?
Unbeknownst to him, the doctor caring for Laura’s sick husband already knew everything. David ends up cleared of his first charges, but the new one seals his fate. It’s such a tragic end, but one that fits Chase’s style perfectly.
⭐️ 10/10 — I enjoyed every bit of it. A dark, gripping read I absolutely recommend.
The Weary Transgressor follows David Chesham, a young army deserter who ends up in the hands of a wealthy but cruel woman planning to kill her husband and stepdaughter for money. But a twist of fate sets a deadly trap for the weary transgressor himself.
I really enjoyed this book — the mystery and intensity were absolutely on point. David took the fall for a murder actually committed by the general he served under — a psychotic killer with random bursts of violence. Later, David overhears Laura plotting to kill her husband and decides to kill her instead. What an idiot! Tell someone and make a better plan, right?
Unbeknownst to him, the doctor caring for Laura’s sick husband already knew everything. David ends up cleared of his first charges, but the new one seals his fate. It’s such a tragic end, but one that fits Chase’s style perfectly.
⭐️ 10/10 — I enjoyed every bit of it. A dark, gripping read I absolutely recommend.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 29, 2021
This charming book was published almost seventy years ago, but it is not old, the story in it is not old, everything is fresh, interesting and dynamic, and relevant. Believe me. Just read it for yourself and then see for yourself. In this dizzying story, of course, there is a crime (which, by the way, he, the main character of the book did not commit), there is a pretty woman, love... But it turns out that this love is only one-sided, it turns out that this poor man is simply ominously played, that beautiful woman is trying to manipulate him, use him as a weapon of crime.
March 2, 2021
Absolutely stunning book.....David Chisholm is one of those guys who fells in love with a shady character who tries to persuade him to kill her husband....And the story revolves.....Learnt so many things from this book....
March 15, 2018
Riveting ,thrilling ,plot ...
August 20, 2018
Стало интересно кто кого переиграет. Не совсем угадала, но примерно того и ожидала.
December 20, 2019
Really interesting one by James Hadley Chase
January 19, 2020
My favorite hadley book. I mean so far
March 20, 2021
Un po' deludente visto come inizia.
May 17, 2023
One of the Chase's books I really enjoyed
January 23, 2024
A good read 👍
June 2, 2024
Best apa? Saspen! Naya!
December 8, 2022
Αν βαθμολογούσαμε τα βιβλία με το πόσες φορές μπορούν να ξαναδιαβαστούν, σίγουρα τα βιβλία του μεγάλου δάσκαλου Raymond (όπως ήταν το αληθινό του όνομα, για την ακρίβεια René Lodge Brabazon Raymond) θα βρίσκονταν πάρα πολύ ψηλά στην λίστα αυτής της επαναλαμβανόμενης αναγνωσιμότητας.
Το γιατί είναι απλούστατο: Ο αναγνώστης ποτέ δεν ξέρει και ποτέ δεν μπορεί να μαντέψει ποιών τα κεφάλια θα πέσουν, ποιός/ποιοί θα καταφέρουν αυτό που θέλουν στο τέλος, πόσοι θα ευνοηθούν (αν ευνοηθούν) από τις περιστάσεις και την τύχη και πόσοι θα μπορέσουν να σώσουν το τομάρι τους έστω και χωρίς καθόλου κέρδος. Ο όρος απρόβλεπτο στοιχειοθετείται, παίρνει μορφή και κινείται μέσα από τις μικρές σελίδες απ'αυτά τα βιβλιαράκια τσέπης που, παρότι έχουν πάψει προ πολλού να κυκλοφορούν πια, έχουν ξεπεράσει τα δεύτερα -άντα της ζωής τους μα εξακολουθούν να μας μεθούν με το χαρακτηριστικό τους άρωμα υγρασίας ανάμεικτης με υπόγεια παλαιοβιβλιοπωλεία και παμπάλαιου μπαούλου της γιαγιάς.
Η υπόθεση στο παρόν βιβλιαράκι είναι από τις σπεσιαλιτέ που συνήθιζε να μας χαρίζει απλόχερα (στις πάνω από 90 νουβέλες συνολικά, με πρώτη το "όχι ορχιδέες για την μις Μπλάντις"-1939) και κινείται στην ιδιότυπη κατηγορία του cul-de-sac ενός αδιεξόδου που τυλίγει τον/τους εμπλεκόμενους με την μορφή μιας αόρατης θηλιάς. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, όσο μπορώ να γίνω σαφής χωρίς να μου ξεφύγουν spoilers, θα προσπαθήσω να την αναπτύξω παρακάτω σε γενικές και πιό ειδικές γραμμές:
Σε αρκετές από τις ιστορίες, όπως και στην παρούσα, ο πρωταγωνιστής προσπαθεί είτε να γίνει πλούσιος με τη διάπραξη ενός εγκλήματος — μια ασφαλιστική απάτη ή μια κλοπή είτε να καλύψει κάποιες τρέχουσες ανάγκες του που γίνονται εκβιαστικές αλλά χωρίς να θέλει να προβεί απαραίτητα σε κάτι παράνομο(και εδώ έρχεται ο δόλος για να τον καταφέρουν οι εργοδότες του, η γνωστή "μεθοδολογία" μιας γοητευτικής γυναίκας κλπ). Αλλά το σχέδιο-τις περισσότερες φορές- αποτυγχάνει αμετάβλητα και οδηγεί σε μια δολοφονία και τελικά σε ένα αδιέξοδο, στο οποίο ο ήρωας συνειδητοποιεί ότι δεν είχε ποτέ μια πιθανότητα να ξεφύγει από το πρόβλημα. Οι γυναίκες είναι συχνά όμορφες, έξυπνες, και επίβουλες, ψεύδονται ασύστολα και σκοτώνουν αδίστακτα εάν πρέπει να καλύψουν ένα έγκλημα. Οι πλοκές του J.Chase στρέφονται χαρακτηριστικά γύρω από άτομα με καθαρά κίνητρα αλλά και με πάθη, εμμονές και λοιπές δυσλειτουργίες. Η τελική έκβαση αντηχεί τον τίτλο αλλά - όπως προανέφερα- είναι εξαιρετικά δύσκολο για τον οποιονδήποτε αναγνώστη, όσο έμπειρος και αν είναι, να την μαντέψει .
Η γραφή του στα βιβλία του είναι τόσο Α' όσο και Γ' προσώπου αλλά μην σκεφτούν κάποιοι ότι στους τίτλους με πρωτοπρόσωπη γραφή το υποκείμενό της απολαμβάνει προνομίων ή βρίσκεται στο απυρόβλητο κατά την διάρκεια ή στο τέλος της ιστορίας. Σας βεβαιώνω ότι έχουν εξουδετερωθεί τέτοια τυπάκια (ή μούτρα) με την απλότητα και τη χαλαρότητα της βόλτας στο περίπτερο.
Αυτά σε γενικές γραμμές, σε πιό ειδικές τώρα και με σκελετό το οπισθόφυλλο που έχω στη γλώσσα μας εδώ έχουμε να κάνουμε με κάποιον που παρουσιάζεται στα μάτια μας με σκοτεινές πτυχές στο παρελθόν του, πράγματα που θέλει να κρύψει, που είναι αναγκασμένος να κρύψει και να κρύβεται και ο ίδιος για λόγους προστασίας σε άλλη χώρα. Όμως κάποια στιγμή θέλει να πάρει διαβατήριο να επιστρέψει, δεν γίνεται να χαραμίζει όλη του τη ζωή αυτοεξόριστος. Τι κρύβει; είναι ηθικά ή ποινικά κολάσιμο; είναι αναστρέψιμο; που θα βρει τα λεφτά για το διαβατήριο; Πώς θα τα βγάλει πέρα με τις διατυπώσεις;Μέχρι που μπορεί να φτάσει προκειμένου να επιτύχει τους στόχους του;
Και ξάφνου, "...η τύχη φάνηκε πως είχε αποφασίσει να του χαμογελάσει.Να τον αποζημιώσει για όσα είχε υποφέρει, για όσα είχε πληρώσει χωρίς να τα χρωστάει.Ήταν μια ευκαρία που δεν την άφησε να πάει χαμένη. Τουλάχιστον έτσι πίστεψε όταν..."
"...Αργότερα κατάλαβε πως η τύχη δεν του είχε χαρίσει το χαμόγελό της. Μια γκριμάτσα μόνο του είχε κάνει. Μια γκριμάτσα που έ μ ο ι α ζ ε με χαμόγελο...
Κι έτσι ο Ντέηβιντ Τσίσχολμ βρέθηκε να είναι ακόμα χειρότερα μπλεγμένος μέσα στον παράξενο ιστό που του είχε πλέξει η μοίρα. Κι από τον οποίο δεν φαινόταν πως μπορούσε να ξεφύγει".
Όπως καταλάβατε, το cul-de-sac ξεκίνησε με το καλημέρα σας, από το οπισθόφυλλο. Χωρίς άσκοπες αναμονές, χωρίς φλυαρίες και χρονοτριβές.
Όσοι το βρείτε, απολαύστε το και νιώστε τη θηλιά να σφίγγει.
Στα Ελληνικά κυκλοφόρησε από τις εκδόσεις Πάπυρος με το σήμα ΒΙΠΕΡ.
Είχε το νούμερο 430 και τον τίτλο "Η Σειρήνα".
Το γιατί είναι απλούστατο: Ο αναγνώστης ποτέ δεν ξέρει και ποτέ δεν μπορεί να μαντέψει ποιών τα κεφάλια θα πέσουν, ποιός/ποιοί θα καταφέρουν αυτό που θέλουν στο τέλος, πόσοι θα ευνοηθούν (αν ευνοηθούν) από τις περιστάσεις και την τύχη και πόσοι θα μπορέσουν να σώσουν το τομάρι τους έστω και χωρίς καθόλου κέρδος. Ο όρος απρόβλεπτο στοιχειοθετείται, παίρνει μορφή και κινείται μέσα από τις μικρές σελίδες απ'αυτά τα βιβλιαράκια τσέπης που, παρότι έχουν πάψει προ πολλού να κυκλοφορούν πια, έχουν ξεπεράσει τα δεύτερα -άντα της ζωής τους μα εξακολουθούν να μας μεθούν με το χαρακτηριστικό τους άρωμα υγρασίας ανάμεικτης με υπόγεια παλαιοβιβλιοπωλεία και παμπάλαιου μπαούλου της γιαγιάς.
Η υπόθεση στο παρόν βιβλιαράκι είναι από τις σπεσιαλιτέ που συνήθιζε να μας χαρίζει απλόχερα (στις πάνω από 90 νουβέλες συνολικά, με πρώτη το "όχι ορχιδέες για την μις Μπλάντις"-1939) και κινείται στην ιδιότυπη κατηγορία του cul-de-sac ενός αδιεξόδου που τυλίγει τον/τους εμπλεκόμενους με την μορφή μιας αόρατης θηλιάς. Πιο συγκεκριμένα, όσο μπορώ να γίνω σαφής χωρίς να μου ξεφύγουν spoilers, θα προσπαθήσω να την αναπτύξω παρακάτω σε γενικές και πιό ειδικές γραμμές:
Σε αρκετές από τις ιστορίες, όπως και στην παρούσα, ο πρωταγωνιστής προσπαθεί είτε να γίνει πλούσιος με τη διάπραξη ενός εγκλήματος — μια ασφαλιστική απάτη ή μια κλοπή είτε να καλύψει κάποιες τρέχουσες ανάγκες του που γίνονται εκβιαστικές αλλά χωρίς να θέλει να προβεί απαραίτητα σε κάτι παράνομο(και εδώ έρχεται ο δόλος για να τον καταφέρουν οι εργοδότες του, η γνωστή "μεθοδολογία" μιας γοητευτικής γυναίκας κλπ). Αλλά το σχέδιο-τις περισσότερες φορές- αποτυγχάνει αμετάβλητα και οδηγεί σε μια δολοφονία και τελικά σε ένα αδιέξοδο, στο οποίο ο ήρωας συνειδητοποιεί ότι δεν είχε ποτέ μια πιθανότητα να ξεφύγει από το πρόβλημα. Οι γυναίκες είναι συχνά όμορφες, έξυπνες, και επίβουλες, ψεύδονται ασύστολα και σκοτώνουν αδίστακτα εάν πρέπει να καλύψουν ένα έγκλημα. Οι πλοκές του J.Chase στρέφονται χαρακτηριστικά γύρω από άτομα με καθαρά κίνητρα αλλά και με πάθη, εμμονές και λοιπές δυσλειτουργίες. Η τελική έκβαση αντηχεί τον τίτλο αλλά - όπως προανέφερα- είναι εξαιρετικά δύσκολο για τον οποιονδήποτε αναγνώστη, όσο έμπειρος και αν είναι, να την μαντέψει .
Η γραφή του στα βιβλία του είναι τόσο Α' όσο και Γ' προσώπου αλλά μην σκεφτούν κάποιοι ότι στους τίτλους με πρωτοπρόσωπη γραφή το υποκείμενό της απολαμβάνει προνομίων ή βρίσκεται στο απυρόβλητο κατά την διάρκεια ή στο τέλος της ιστορίας. Σας βεβαιώνω ότι έχουν εξουδετερωθεί τέτοια τυπάκια (ή μούτρα) με την απλότητα και τη χαλαρότητα της βόλτας στο περίπτερο.
Αυτά σε γενικές γραμμές, σε πιό ειδικές τώρα και με σκελετό το οπισθόφυλλο που έχω στη γλώσσα μας εδώ έχουμε να κάνουμε με κάποιον που παρουσιάζεται στα μάτια μας με σκοτεινές πτυχές στο παρελθόν του, πράγματα που θέλει να κρύψει, που είναι αναγκασμένος να κρύψει και να κρύβεται και ο ίδιος για λόγους προστασίας σε άλλη χώρα. Όμως κάποια στιγμή θέλει να πάρει διαβατήριο να επιστρέψει, δεν γίνεται να χαραμίζει όλη του τη ζωή αυτοεξόριστος. Τι κρύβει; είναι ηθικά ή ποινικά κολάσιμο; είναι αναστρέψιμο; που θα βρει τα λεφτά για το διαβατήριο; Πώς θα τα βγάλει πέρα με τις διατυπώσεις;Μέχρι που μπορεί να φτάσει προκειμένου να επιτύχει τους στόχους του;
Και ξάφνου, "...η τύχη φάνηκε πως είχε αποφασίσει να του χαμογελάσει.Να τον αποζημιώσει για όσα είχε υποφέρει, για όσα είχε πληρώσει χωρίς να τα χρωστάει.Ήταν μια ευκαρία που δεν την άφησε να πάει χαμένη. Τουλάχιστον έτσι πίστεψε όταν..."
"...Αργότερα κατάλαβε πως η τύχη δεν του είχε χαρίσει το χαμόγελό της. Μια γκριμάτσα μόνο του είχε κάνει. Μια γκριμάτσα που έ μ ο ι α ζ ε με χαμόγελο...
Κι έτσι ο Ντέηβιντ Τσίσχολμ βρέθηκε να είναι ακόμα χειρότερα μπλεγμένος μέσα στον παράξενο ιστό που του είχε πλέξει η μοίρα. Κι από τον οποίο δεν φαινόταν πως μπορούσε να ξεφύγει".
Όπως καταλάβατε, το cul-de-sac ξεκίνησε με το καλημέρα σας, από το οπισθόφυλλο. Χωρίς άσκοπες αναμονές, χωρίς φλυαρίες και χρονοτριβές.
Όσοι το βρείτε, απολαύστε το και νιώστε τη θηλιά να σφίγγει.
Στα Ελληνικά κυκλοφόρησε από τις εκδόσεις Πάπυρος με το σήμα ΒΙΠΕΡ.
Είχε το νούμερο 430 και τον τίτλο "Η Σειρήνα".
August 20, 2015
David Chisholm, an impoverished american, with a shady past, works as an unofficial tourist guide in Milan, Italy. He comes across geogeous fellow american, Laura, married to a cripple, Bruno Fancino. David becomes infatuated with Laura, who offers him a job of being male nurse to her husband. Laura, has a grand plan, to entice David to murder.....just another must read masterpiece from the maestro....
February 6, 2009
so intresting
April 22, 2010
"When a man put woman before money invite disaster"
April 26, 2011
The end really got me by surprise. Beautiful!
February 12, 2017
It's definitely a page turner. Especially, the way the author ended the story is totally unlooked-for.
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