The Cutie

The "cutie" of the title isn't the revolver-toting redhead depicted on the cover of this 1960 noir adventure. Rather, the term refers to the gangster who framed two-bit junkie Billy-Billy Cantrell for the murder of a political bigwig's mistress. The story is told from the point of view of Clay, a young, college-educated Mob hit man who is developing a conscience. Stephen Thorne gives the lead character a wry smart-aleck attitude and smoothly delivers the dialogue of supporting characters, providing each--whether a stuttering junkie, a gorgeous model, or the tough detectives--with a distinct voice and style. Thorne lacks the edgy urban voice that would give more credibility to the book, but as the story progresses, he's able to carry it successfully to its dark, twisted conclusion. S.E.S. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

December 8, 2008
Never before published, this fantastic and compelling hard-boiled mystery was written in 1971 by acclaimed science fiction author Zelazny (1937–1995), but only discovered after his death. The unlikely hero is Ovid Wiley, art thief turned respectable art dealer, who wakes one morning to find his former partner, Carl Bernini, dead on the floor of his gallery. Ovid is sprung from NYPD custody by a CIA agent who will arrange for charges to be dropped if Ovid travels to Rome and investigates the disappearance of money-laundering priest Father Bretagne, whose lover, Maria Borsini, was also Bernini's girlfriend and Ovid's friend. The deepening mystery sends Ovid to Brazil, where he encounters horrific villains, secret agents and salvation in the most unexpected places. The twists and turns come at breakneck pace, and vintage details add unexpected charm.