The Cry of the Owl by Patricia Highsmith

I just finished reading this book today and I was really impressed. The author, Patricia Highsmith, is better known for her Talented Ripley books which up to now I had absolutely no interest in (although now I may read them, who knows…).

I like mysteries, particularly detective novels, but usually only if they were written way before I was born. I haven’t found too many modern mystery writers that I like- right now only Jim Thompson comes to mind. Oh, and I just looked him up and he actually passed away when I was 6 years old so he’s not really that recent I guess. James Ellroy can be very good, I guess he must count as recent?

My friend Jodi sent me The Cry of the Owl- I received it day before yesterday and I finished reading it an hour ago. That is a very high recommendation because it’s not like I have a lot of free time on my hands: over the same time period I’ve also had sole care of my toddler girl, completed two articles, and had band rehearsal. So my eyes are a bit bloodshot and I don’t think I’ve showered, but the book is finished. It was worth it.

The matter-of-fact writing and the bleak quality of the story reminded me of Jim Thompson’s books. In fact, it really reminded me of his book The Nothing Man
. There was also a Dashiell Hammett quality to her writing but that makes sense since Jim Thompson is frequently compared to Hammett. Also reminiscient of Day of the Locust
by Nathanael West.

Just in time because I was starting to wonder if I had exhausted the supply of good mystery novels written in the past. If you find books about misunderstood loners appealing, then I think you will like any of the books I mention above. Let me know!

Recommended reading: Dashiell Hammett’s The Red Harvest, James Ellroy’s The Big Nowhere, Jim Thompson’s The Criminal, Nathaniel West’s Day of the Locust, Raymond Chandler’s The Long Goodbye, Dick Francis’ Odds Against.

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