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Publisher Description
Lust plus greed equals murder in this classic Hollywood noir novel by “a real pro” (The New York Times Book Review).
A struggling actor, Willy Griff keeps himself entertained with the wife of a business mogul, but he wants more: He also wants the business mogul’s money. The mistress, Doris, likes the idea even more than Willy does, and figures if she helps plan the murder, she can ditch the husband and keep the cash.
It’s a dangerous scheme for two low-level, aspiring criminals. But Willy comes up with an ingenious, foolproof plot for pulling it off. At least, he better hope it’s foolproof . . .
The Murderers is a gritty tale of crime and passion from Fredric Brown, a master of noir and mystery and winner of the prestigious Edgar Award.
A struggling actor, Willy Griff keeps himself entertained with the wife of a business mogul, but he wants more: He also wants the business mogul’s money. The mistress, Doris, likes the idea even more than Willy does, and figures if she helps plan the murder, she can ditch the husband and keep the cash.
It’s a dangerous scheme for two low-level, aspiring criminals. But Willy comes up with an ingenious, foolproof plot for pulling it off. At least, he better hope it’s foolproof . . .
The Murderers is a gritty tale of crime and passion from Fredric Brown, a master of noir and mystery and winner of the prestigious Edgar Award.
4 Reviews
3.0
Amanda
Created 3 months agoShare
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Velvis
Created 3 months agoShare
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“This book has a similar plot device to Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers on a Train. (Two would-be murderers switch targets and arrange alibis). But what makes this one good is the milieu of L.A. actors, musicians, and beatniks. It’s real hip, daddio.
The ending is a bit abrupt, and for that I knock off a star. But it’s good enough to make we want to grab any Fredric Brown book I can get my hands on.”
Efbeckett
Created over 1 year agoShare
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Sam Sattler
Created over 1 year agoShare
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“Fredric Brown's 1961 noir crime novel The Murderers made me realize just how much more sensitive to sexual slurs and crimes even my boomer generation has become since the whole "Me Too" movement broke a few years ago. And that's a good thing, of course. Surprisingly enough, I had to keep reminding myself that even in 1961 Brown was using those terms and attitude descriptions only to describe what turns out to be a pretty despicable lead character - not to show that they are the norm of the day.
That character, Willy Griff, is a struggling actor who barely manages to cover his day-to-day living expenses in a cheap Los Angeles boardinghouse. That's largely due to Willy's habit of spending any spare cash he accumulates on cheap booze, drugs, and young women as much on the make as he is. Willy's been getting some extra cash from his current lover who just happens to be the wife of the Southern California "seat cover king," but after their affair is exposed, the pair figure out that they can still have each other and all that seat cover money if they can only figure out a foolproof way to eliminate the king.
That's when things get complicated.
Another struggling actor, who lives in the same boardinghouse, has been blackballed by a vindictive producer, effectively ending the man's acting career even before it starts. Struggling actor #2 will certainly shed no tears if something were to happen to Mr. Producer. So maybe a you-kill-mine-and-I'll-kill-yours deal can be struck between the two? Be careful what you wish for, boys.
If this plot reminds you a little (or a lot) of Patricia Highsmith's 1950 novel Strangers on a Train, you are not alone. And like Highsmith's hugely successful novel, The Murderers is largely a psychological novel in which considerable time is spent developing the lead novel's character and motivations. The Murderers even has one of those ironic Alfred Hitchcock kind of endings we all enjoyed so much in the sixties and seventies. Despite the sometimes formulaic structure of this one, I enjoyed it enough to give it three stars out of five.”
About Fredric Brown
Fredric Brown was a prolific writer of multiple genres, including mystery, science fiction, poetry, and nonfiction. His work has been championed by Stephen King, Philip K. Dick, Umberto Eco, and many more literary luminaries. In the mystery world, Brown is best remembered today for his long-running series of mysteries featuring Ed and Am Hunter.
Other books by Fredric Brown
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