The Sucker Punch

by James Hadley Chase

Chad Winter's violent infatuation for a woman inspired him to attempt what he thought would be the perfect murder. But murder's never that simple ...

Genres: Fiction, Thriller, Novels, Crime, Noir, Mystery

158 pages, Paperback

First published March 19, 1954

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

[Vikas Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vintage thriller. James Hardly Chase's books have always been racy and pacy and this one is no different. A great fast paced plot which does not allow you to put the novel down even for a second. Great read. Incidentally a popular Bollywood movie Aar Ya Paar is based completely on this story

[Lupna Avery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chad, the main character of this book is a very wicked, cruel man, very bad indeed - the type of man women must pray they never come across with socially in their lives.

Even before he kills the woman he marries for her money (Vestal) in such a cruel, evil manner, his uncharitable comments about her (a woman who turned a nobody into a very comfortable man after she married him) makes one cringe. Here are some samples:

"I could see her emaciated chest and her flat unformed bosom...I shifted my eyes. There was no beauty there, just something dried up and unlovely"

"Did this wizened, flat chested ugly little creature really imagine I should want to peep at her. Did she imagine I was that hard up for women?"

"Her naked desire shocked me. She was such a wizened, ugly little thing...I could not imagine her having those kind of feelings...not this skinny, brittle bundle of bones... it did not even seem decent "

"They say love can make a woman look beautiful. Well nothing could make Vestal look beautiful, but at that moment...she at least managed not to look ugly, and that was quite an achievement"

As we say in Africa, "when we think or talk about someone, we should remember it is in respect of a human being, not an animal". Chad is worse than a beast with his approach to a woman he married for her money, without any iota of respect or affection for her. Yet she loves him with all her heart; and she is brutally killed by him in the end.

The only good thing about this book is that Chad is somewhat punished in the end too. But his end still seems inadequate for such a bad, bad man who kills three people!!

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Orrie Hitt’s Sleazeball grifter Nicky Weaver, Hadley Chase sets his 1954 crime thriller, Sucker Punch, around Chad Winters, a sleazeball money-grubbing grifter. Winters, a lazy no-good bank clerk, seizes the bull by the horns when he is tasked with the account of Vesta Shelley, a withered old spinster who happened to be just about the richest woman in the world. He finds ways to make coin off her name and credit and her delight in his hard ways. And, when creaky ole Vesta falls for his charms, Winters follows through and sets his eyes on the whole caboodle. Winters is a genuine scumbag with no morals, no ethics, and no compunction to stop at anything. What Chase does brilliantly is he tells the story through Winters’ sleazy little eyes and gets the reader to see things from his point of view. What else Chase does cleverly is he surrounds Mr. Winters with a money grubbing mean-spirited cast so we as readers see and feel his horror at a lifetime with Vesta and the realization that he himself is being played for a sucker. The novel starts with the ending. The story is all about how Winters climbed down into the sewers and got himself in this pickle.

[Asra Ghouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has probably got to be the best James Hadley Chase book I've ever read. Particularly as the title was so apt to the content of the book.

I first read this when I was in my ninth grade, during the year 2002. Those were the times for thrillers and fast paced books. Back then we used to have a competition, of who has read the maximum number of books in a week. James Hadley Chase provided that fast pace to finish off a book in a few hours and increase your count. When I read a book now, it's more for a literary and pleasure purpose. Not just for trophies.

[Confirmed Neurotic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A muffled scream followed by a manic speech broke my concentration.

"We have to see this movie... at any cost ....lets go and watch Aar ya Paar. I have seen the trailer on cable and this is a qatil movie" (loosely translated as an awesome Movie) blurted out my childhood friend Rohit as soon as he caught sight of the posters of Ketan Mehta's brand new thriller "Aar ya Paar". We were riding double on a bicycle, returning from a physics tuition class.

I threw a cursory glance at the roadside wall of a peculiarly dubious distinctions in my town and took off my eyes in a few seconds after inspecting the poster quickly (not because of some moral dilemma but mostly out of my concern for safety as i was the one steering the bicycle, while Rohit was sitting on the carrier ). The aforementioned wall in question was the home to many movie posters and was generally laden with porn movie posters that were ingeniously painted black at certain portions to hide the... uhhhmmm.. assets of the featuring actors (actresses to be precise).

"You know this will be the biggest hit of Jackie's film career" Rohit spoke confidently like a seasoned critic of World Cinema.

Meanwhile my eyes were back on the road, legs pedaling my BSA and my mind wondering "How nice it would be to have cable tv in my house! Why wont my father let us have cable ?".

Rohit's excitement about the film declined to cease. "I will pay for your ticket and even buy you samosa and Pepsi in the interval". He said almost pleading because he knew it as well as I knew; Only movie posters with adult content had the distinctions of being showcased on that dubious wall. He needed a partner in crime to do something as daring as to skip the school and watch an adult movie in a public theater situated in the middle of the town. Playing Hastings to Poirot or Watson to Holmes (whom so ever you love more), I finally acquiesced to his demand.

So as it happens when a bunch of pubescent boys with newly acquired facial hair gets excited, we too decided to plunge in the world of debauchery and carnal lust. A perfect plan was hatched, pact was made in blood not to rat out each other, finance was arranged and off we went to our little sordid adventure. In fact we managed to coax another friend (from a very austere family background) to join us for the movie.

We came out of the theater spellbound and brooding. No one spoke a word. We were too awe inspired by the story and the direction. Everyone had forgotten this was meant to be a titillating experience. All we thought was "How the hell Ketan Mehta thought of such a story?". Well he didn't. "Aar ya paar (1997)" is a verbatim adaptation of James Hadley Chase's novel "The Sucker Punch". And that's why the movie is so good. When it comes to committing crime no one can beat the English!.. ask Poe, Agatha, Doyle or Chase . If Poe is the master of macabre, Agatha the queen of crime, Doyle the king of the mystery, then James Hadley Chase has to be the crown prince of thrill. His work might not have the genius of Poe, the popularity of Agatha, the horror of Doyle yet he stands in a league of his own. Start a JHC novel and you surrender to his writing. His distinctive style of establishing a character and setting the pace is unique and he never seem to waste much paper by going on and on. He describes his character, narrates his theme and goes on his task of story telling with such feverish pace that it hooks you to his work instantaneously.

A few years later when I read the first paragraph of JHC's "The Sucker Punch" I realised... so ..this was Aar ya Paar.

THE SUCKER PUNCH is well written, tightly narrated and capable to hook you to finish it in one sitting. This is one of the best JHC I have ever read. It surpassed my earlier favorite "Believe this and you'll believe anything".

I recommend this to all those who love a good thriller and just remember it was written decades ago.

[Κώστας · Rating 5 out of 5]

Μεγάλος μαέστρος, μετρ του ψυχολογικού θρίλερ προτού καν αυτό να χαρτογραφηθεί ως λογοτεχνικό είδος. Εντελώς απρόβλεπτος και για αυτό και τόσο λατρεμένος.
Τρίγωνα -ερωτικά ή μη- γεμάτα υστεροβουλία και συνεχή μάχη για επιρροή. Ο ένας επιβάλλεται στον άλλον με τη σχέση πέτρα-ψαλίδι-χαρτί! Μια ξέφρενη κούρσα θανάτου που οδηγεί πολύ σύντομα στον τέταρτο παράγοντα, τον τοίχο, την σπεσιαλιτέ του μάγειρα: Το cul-de-sac (το αδιέξοδο!). Και το τρίγωνο τετραγωνίζεται!
Απόλαυση, μια μικρή λιχουδιά 190 μικρών σελίδων, με επιπρόσθετο κερασάκι την μετάφραση της Τασσώς Καββαδία.

[Shweta Bharati · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you are confident about the situation to be in your grip and right then you get the punch which shakes the ground beneath your feet...The Sucker Punch! Does not even give you time for a retaliation or reconciliation. Bang!

Read only one of James Hadley Chase and the story keeps you glued till the end. What do you need more when you are reading a suspense thriller.

[Paul Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another novel initially published under the Raymond Marshall pseudonym. And it carries out what Chase often does so well, revealing the intricate pieces of a crime, watching a plot to murder come together like clockwork, and then letting everything fall to pieces because of some psychological flaw or overconfidence on the part of the main protagonist. In this case, that protagonist is Chad Winters, a scheming grifter who manages to hook his lure into the desperate, plain looking millionairess, Vestal Shelley. It is a story that constantly shifts. At first, it almost seems like a black comedy, with Chad's witty one-liners and insults making it humorous. But then it turns into a story of deception. Of Chad deceiving his employers and then Vestal, and Vestal's secretary, Eve, deceiving Chad, and then Eve's estranged husband, Larry, deceiving Eve. Amazingly, the novel ends on one of the most spectacular "cliffhangers" ever imagined.

[키란 아닌 에룸 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was introduced to James Hadley Chase during my teenage years and I am in love with his writings ever since. I think a lot of the charm of his books comes from the era of the 1950s where people were savvy and everything seemed rowdy. The get-up is about dresses and hats and Buick and cigars. Pretty rad.

Like most of his books, the storyline revolves around the protagonist taking a shortcut to get rich and falling on his face. And like all of his books, this one is extremely clever, fast-paced, adrenaline-driven, hard-to-put-down, that will keep you at the edge and wanting to get to the end as fast as you could even though you know what's going to happen. It's the quick storytelling that keeps you reading.

The whole book is a narration by our protagonist, Chad Winters, narrating the recent events of his life that lead to the murder of his wife, while another woman lay dead behind him.

*This is revealed in the introduction of the book so I won't call it a spoiler* :D

Chad is a small-time bank clerk who hates his job and tries to work unnoticed so he doesn't get fired until one day the exact opposite happens. He lands a job promotion that evolves his future into one-sided love, greed and seventy million dollars. Chad knows what he wants and has the patience to wait for it until the day he meets Eve Dolan, the woman who knows how to put him in his place. The rest of it is an endless twist of manipulation and double-crossing that will leave you wondering who's fooling whom.

[Rajan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have seen hindi movie Aar ya Par, you know the basic story. Movie is true to novel.

Chad is good for nothing loser who wants to get rich quick. He somehow charms and marries rich Vestal despite not loving her. Then he plans to kill her. What happens next....?

Chase has a good command on human psyche. The story is fast paced and clever. Chad makes a foolish mistake and it unravels. In the end nobody wins. Crime never pays.

It is an enjoyable read.

[Shom Biswas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edwin Dragwidge, Eddie sir, narrated this story to us, in class 8C, 1992-1993.
Eddie sir was blond of hair, brown of beard, pink of skin, booming of laughter and sunny of disposition - the only one of the Anglo-Indian Dragwidge brothers who looked like an European. Eddie sir once regretted that he would like to be a participant in a worker's union strike or on a dharna (remember these were the days of communist rule in West Bengal), but nobody will take a guy who looks like an European seriously there.
He is still very much there, somewhere in Australia, and rather active of Facebook. The blond hair and brown beard are both a pristine white as I see in photographs, though. A lovely guy, a first-rate teacher, and a clean, brutally honest human being - the best kind to have as a teacher of eighth standard boys.

Bless his soul.

[Milind · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in crime fiction not necessarily a wodunit sort of cozy mysteries then this is the book for you.

Told from the POV of a man who is remorseless and ruthless the twist on the last page is quite an cliffhanger.

Chad Winters is an opportunist on the make for the fast buck. Chance and manipulation makes him the husband of one of the richest women whom he abhors. Enter Eve and the plot suddenly quickens.

They plan the perfect murder and then the twists follow.

What worked for me was the crisp plot and the speed of the events. Was there a con? Maybe the book ended too soon!

[Madikeri Abu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A re-read after almost 35 years! JHC will always keep you hooked till the last page. Though not one of his best, this one nevertheless is entertaining. A movie was made in Bollywood based on this novel ( Aar Ya Paar starring Jackie Shroff). "It's when a guy gets full of confidence, he's wide open for a sucker punch".

[Valentine Mabika]

Fast paced and vivid easy to picture in your mind's eye.. I still have vivid scenarios of my imaginations that were created by his narrations.

[Sayeda Rebeka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good one. Enjoyed till the end.

[Preetam Chatterjee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sucker Punch—aka The Action Man in some editions—isn’t about boxing, but the metaphor couldn’t be more perfect. It’s about getting hit when you least expect it—and by someone you never saw coming.

Enter Rex Cavan, a hard-edged insurance investigator, cocky and calculated. He’s sharp, yes, but Chase knows how to write men who think they’re smarter than everyone—just long enough for them to get played like a worn-out saxophone. When Rex crosses paths with Helaine, a seductive siren dripping money, class, and secrets, he thinks he’s in for a good time… and maybe a big payday.

What follows is a pitch-perfect noir spiral: insurance fraud, fake deaths, real murders, false leads, and one glorious plot twist after another. Helaine is everything a classic Chase woman should be—beautiful, manipulative, and as lethal as a whisper in the dark.

As always, Chase keeps the plot taut and deadly. The prose is lean, the stakes high, and the mood? Think film noir with the lights off. Every character’s playing their own game, and by the end, you realize the title wasn’t about a physical punch—it was about betrayal so sudden, so brutal, it knocks the wind out of both character and reader.

I read this on a ridiculously muggy April night in Behala, trying to sleep but sweating like I owed someone money. I picked up the book “just to read a few pages,” and by the time I looked up, it was 2 a.m. and I had finished the whole damn thing. That twist? That punch? It hit me so hard I sat upright on my bed and said out loud, “Oi, this woman’s the real villain!” Ma knocked on the door thinking something had happened. Something had. Chase had sucker punched me. 😅

In essence, The Sucker Punch is a brutal meditation on overconfidence, lust, and greed, where the sharpest minds still fall for the oldest tricks. It’s a noir tragedy wrapped in silky prose and sealed with a lipstick kiss—and a knife in the back.

[Dil Nawaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sucker Punch by James Headly is an enthralling murder mystery novel that delves into the dark and intriguing world of greed, love, and money. Set in a gripping backdrop, this book takes you on a roller-coaster ride of suspense and surprises.

From the very beginning, you'll find yourself captivated by the mysterious murder that sets the stage for a riveting tale of deceit and betrayal. As the plot unfolds, you'll be drawn deeper into the lives of the characters, each one hiding their own secrets and motives.

The author skillfully weaves together a web of suspense, keeping you on the edge of your seat as you try to unravel the truth behind the murder. Just when you think you've figured it all out, "Sucker Punch" delivers unexpected twists that leave you gasping for breath.

While the story revolves around a murder, it's not just about solving the case. It explores the complex relationships between the characters, their desires, and the lengths they are willing to go to for love or money. It's a journey that delves into the depths of human nature, making you question the motives and actions of each character.

If you're a fan of gripping murder mysteries with intriguing characters and unexpected twists, Sucker Punch is the book for you.

Rana Dil Nawaz.
Karachi, Pakistan.
https://ocdil.blog

[Soumya Pujar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though the book started a little slow at the beginning, it picked up the pace.. The story was very well written. I could guess what would happen next, at the same time, I was glued to the book.
Wonderful read.!!
"It's when a guy gets full of confidence, he's wide open for a sucker punch"

[Ramzi Zaindeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author narrated a simple story-line that is consumed by betrayal, jealousy and murder. The author’s ability to keep me interested throughout the book is quite remarkable considering the predictability of the story.

[Emmanuel Wallart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story, as usual. And what an horrible man...

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Punchy, stylish and very well written. A great tale with some nice and unpredictable twists. Loveable characters, even the villains and concisely written. Great for any thriller lover.

[Zafeerah · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED IT

[K'sarma20 · Rating 4 out of 5]

superb

[Creolecat]

A Kiss for a Killer (1957)

[christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars; this man is such a dumbass; how incompetent do you have to be that you can’t even do the bare minimum for SEVENTY million dollars. of course his stupid ass got played.

[Violet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second time reading Chase’s works and tell me why-why is he so OBSESSED with slapping and punching women in the face? Just why

[Kakha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the earliest works of my favorite author, a master of novels in the crime fiction genre. But in the case of this author, the year the novel was written does not matter. They are all, from the very first to the very last, very strong. They are equally strong to me.
In this book, we meet a bank clerk who dreams of luxurious life and wealth. This man does not have much success at work, but his boss is a longtime friend of his father's and he gives him one last chance to curry favor and appoints a personal attorney for an eccentric millionaire. From this moment on, the whole extremely interesting cycle of events begins, with which the reader will simply get acquainted with the rapid speed and swallow the whole novel so quickly that he will even feel sad that it has already ended. This is how he is, James Hadley Chase.

[Pream · Rating 3 out of 5]

Commencing with an enigma and concluding with a thoroughly gripping experience rife with unexpected twists and turns, The Sucker Punch delivers a narrative that is both crisp and thoroughly enjoyable. The lucid language employed throughout the novel makes it effortless to visualize the scenes depicted. I found immense pleasure in reading The Sucker Punch and eagerly anticipate delving into other mystery thrillers penned by James Hadley Chase.

[Mukesh Kumar · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is easily the most pulp I have ever consumed in a single seating! And it wasn't the healthy kind! The worst part being I didn't like the taste of it much. I am all for paper thin characters, ridiculous plots, incredulous schemes, as long as it is fun and has a semblance of reality. Alas! This had a shortage of all these things.
Perhaps such material translates well on screen. So will see the Hindi movie Aar ya Paar, which is supposedly based on it and update the review, if needed.

[Tilak Raj Kaushik · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you owe ipad,tablet,iphone i can provide all the digital copies in proper format like kindle,epub.

digitalpassion05@gmail.com



WOW THAT'S MIND BLOWING....
i was enjoying this so much that i couldn't even put it down.The dialogs,the twists,the storytelling everything is perfect.
common guys,go for it....a must read,you will never forget in your whole life.