Savage Night, by Jim Thompson **1/2

This was yet another solid book by Jim Thompson, probably about the 3rd or 4th book I've read of his over the years. This one delivered about what I expected - devious, troubled characters, many of them criminals, engaged in a tight but unpredictable plot. The situations work, the characters are real people, and the pacing is brisk but not ridiculous. I took this with me to Miami for a trip to visit with my family and hang out on the beach, and it held up fine, working as plane material (easy enough to read for several hours at a time) and quick in-between material (while waiting for people to get ready, sitting out on the beach, etc.). Hard to go wrong with Jim Thompson.
(Spring 2006)

Close this window