In an Evil Time

by Bill Pronzini

Jack Hollis had finally steeled himself for what had to be done, the murder of his daughter Angela's husband, David Rakubian. Rakubian was vicious, abusive, deadly, and powerful, and everyone Hollis knew and loved wanted to save Angela from him. After his first attempt failed because Rakubian didn't come home, Hollis put together a foolproof plan. He'd lure Rakubian to his grave with the promise of seeing Angela. It would work: an isolated place, the body easily disposed of, perfect alibis. There was just one problem: The target didn't show.And when Hollis went to Rakubian's house and found his body, he didn't know who he had to protect. There were too many people among his friends and family who wanted Rakubian dead, and no one was saying a word.

Bill Pronzini, the award-winning author such highly praised thrillers as Nothing but the Night, takes us into the heart and soul of a man pushed to his limits and then beyond them as he fights, first for his daughter and then for his family and his own salvation. With the twists in plot that Pronzini's fans have come to expect, and the author's incisive understanding of the motivations that drive us, in an Evil Time is a compelling novel of human need and stunning suspense.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

199 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2001

About the author

Mystery Writers of America Awards "Grand Master" 2008
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1999) for Boobytrap
Edgar Awards Best Novel nominee (1998) for A Wasteland of Strangers
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) for Sentinels
Shamus Awards "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) 1987
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1982) for Hoodwink

Married to author Marcia Muller.

Pseudonyms:
Robert Hart Davis (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Jack Foxx
William Jeffrey (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Alex Saxon

Reviews

[Carla Remy · Rating 4 out of 5]

10/2020

From 2001
Very good. I was interested in Pronzini because he has a pro Day Keene quote on the back of a Stark House book I have. And I read a story by him in the Black Lizard anthology of crime fiction, which came out in 1987.
I like non series books, I like how this was a grandfather having to protect his family against a psycho stalker. Twists and turns, smartly non predictable. A very intense corpse disposal scene (shades of Day Keene). A great ending.
I only thought it was too long, and that there was too much family and Cancer slowing it down. But that was deeply part of the book. So great probably.
And, as to the length of the book, it's a lot about when it is from and where it is sold. Newsstands versus mall bookstores. And whatever it is now.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read mystery, kept me entertained, only a few characters to keep track of :)

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

PROTAGONIST: Jack Hollis
SETTING: San Francisco
RATING: 3.25
WHY: Jack Hollis’s daughter, Angela, recently divorced from her abusive husband, David Rakubian. The problem is that he is stalking her and threatening the entire family. It’s become so insufferable that Hollis is ready to take matters into his own hands. Someone does it before he can but Jack becomes an accessory after the fact. Two months later, the notes start and now Jack can’t go it alone. He’s tried to protect everyone but made some bad assumptions along the way. A rather ordinary tale with a villain that was over the top.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some people just need killing. Jack Hollis intended to kill the man terrorizing his family, but someone beat him to it. Don't ya just hate it when that happens?

This is a mystery and a thriller. Beautifully written and compelling. Not for the faint of heart. Kid in jeopardy.

I have loved just about everything Bill Pronzini has written, and I will continue to seek his novels.

This one has a cameo of McCone Investigations, loved it!

I borrowed a copy from the public library.

[Patty_pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Hollis ha una figlia, Angela, che ha poco occhio con gli uomini: il primo marito, immaturo al punto da lasciarla da sola a crescere il suo figlioletto Kenny e il secondo... Beh, il secondo un manipolatore, un dominante, un sadico bastardo. Jack Hollis organizza in qualche modo l'omicidio di quest'uomo, ma quando va a cercarlo lo trova già morto. Convinto che l'esecutore dell'omicidio sia il suo primogenito, nasconde il corpo dell'uomo così come aveva progettato. I sensi di colpa però continuano a perseguitarlo e riesce a trovare un po' di pace solo quando chiarisce tutto con la sua famiglia. Ma non è tutto risolto: l'assassino si fa vivo, minacciando e perseguitando ogni membro della famiglia. Bel giallo psicologico, che scandaglia ogni momento dei mesi della vita di quell'uomo che è stato a un attimo dal commettere un omicidio e che ora non riesce a tornare sereno a causa del fantasma di un uomo morto.

[D. Norman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It felt like the author couldn’t decide between a thriller, mystery, or love story so he wrote all three. Just barely works but could have been better to pick one of the three and stick with that.

[Bradley Brill · Rating 3 out of 5]

My notes from this period of audiobooks while commuting, this version was produced under the name of Chivers Sound Library.

[James S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've liked some of this author's work before, but this one was strangely flat and unengaging. Once Rakubian is found dead, I lost most of my interest.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crime thriller - Jack Hollis had finally steeled himself for what had to be done, the murder of his daughter Angela's husband, David Rakubian. Rakubian was vicious, abusive, deadly, and powerful, and everyone Hollis knew and loved wanted to save Angela from him. After his first attempt failed because Rakubian didn't come home, Hollis put together a foolproof plan. He'd lure Rakubian to his grave with the promise of seeing Angela. It would work: an isolated place, the body easily disposed of, perfect alibis. There was just one problem: The target didn't show. And when Hollis went to Rakubian's house and found his body, he didn't know who he had to protect. There were too many people among his friends and family who wanted Rakubian dead, and no one was saying a word

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Can a good man really kill an evil one--even if the man's daughter is at risk? David Rakubian was vicious, abusive, powerful, deadly--and married to jack Hollis's daughter. When Rakubian convinces Jack that he will kill Angela if she doesn't return to him, he hatches the plot. But, somebody beats him to it.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading a couple of books that were kind of ho hum, I started this one and really got caught up in the story. A good solid mystery. I wasn't able to figure out who the villain was so that's always a plus. You really find yourself rooting for the main character here.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Totally predictable.

[Alecia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like Bill Pronzini, but his "Nameless Detective" books are far better than this. I think his writing improved with age.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really liking it already

[Erna · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book (as far as I read) described the planning of a revenge murder. Not my preferred protagonist.

[Barbara Nutting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read 2013

[Eliana]

Old style detective series with excellent writing, plots and characters throughout