Another Lawrence Block winner (are there any losers?) Called to get rid of a body by his friend Jack Enright (who happens to be married to his sister,) P.I. Ed London retrieves the body from Jack’s love-nest and dumps it in the park. Soon he begins a search for a briefcase loaded ostensibly with stolen diamonds, is attacked by several goons, and manages to sort out multiple double-crosses. A sample: “I felt only halfway ridiculous holding the gun in one hand while I opened the door. I felt completely ridiculous when the big one knocked it out of my hand. There were two of them—a big one and a small one. The big one was very big, a little taller than I am and a hell of a lot wider. He had a boxer's flattened nose and a cretin idiot's fixed stare. His jacket was stretched tight across huge shoulders. His eyes were small and beady and his forehead was wide and dull. The small one wasn't really that small—he looked small because he was standing next to a human mountain. He wore a hat and a suit and a tie. He had his hands in his pants pockets and he was smiling. "Inside," he said. "Move." I didn't move.”Please note this was originally published as Coward’s Kiss.. Early Block, but already the signs of his genius are apparent.
I didn't like the book at first, because pf the way it was written and because of the writing style. Then I realized this book must be quite old as the ages of the people in the book just wouldn't have matched up. I looked it up and realized it was first published in 1961. That explains a lot, like the excessive consumption of alcohol, the constant smoking, the overall attitude toward women and people of colour. A fast read for an afternoon or a medium plane ride, but still nothing to write home about.
What do You think about Coward's Kiss (2003)?
Written in 1961 when he was 23, this may have been Block's first novel. If not, than definitely one of his first.Protaganist PI Ed London may have been the precurser to Block's Matthew Scudder, whom Block featured in 16 novels over 25 years, starting in the late 70's.The motley cast of crooks in Coward's Kiss reminded me of the crew in the Maltese Falcon; only their quest was for a stash of long lost jewels, rather than the diamond-encrusted Black Bird.Not as good as his later works, but Coward's Kiss is a must read for all Block fans. You won't be disappointed.
—Joseph Bruno
