I will add my voice to a few others that have commented that this book is fun, fast read that ultimately is as breezy as those long ago 60s summers that it portrays. An early Michael Crichton novel, written under his John Lange pseudonym, it is pure pulp adventure. It has more than a touch of Ian Fleming's James Bond to it, as well as a healthly dose of prime Alfred Hitchcock characterization in the protagonist, Dr. Peter Ross. And once the novel started with the twists and turns, even the girl turns out to be not quite what she appears to be. Still, if you are looking for a little light adventure, intrigue, cool locations, and a naive protagonist, this is the book for you. Peter Ross is an American radiologist in Spain for a conference when he's strong-armed into performing an autopsy on a dead gangster. Something is planted inside the corpse's chest cavity and three gangs are vying for it. Can Pete escape the gangs before he becomes another victim?I have mixed feelings on this Hard Case by John Lange, aka Michael Critchon. On one hand, it has more twists and turns than any Hard Case in recent memory. The writing is crisp. I didn't really know what was going on until the end. Plus, it had people being gruesomely attacked by a trained falcon.On the other hand, I didn't care about Peter Ross very much and at no time thought he was in any real danger. Not knowing what the maguffin was for most of the book put a damper on my enjoyment. Most of the bad guys were odd for the sake of being odd, like the professor or the diminutive count.Not a bad read but not a particularly good one either. I'd give it a 2.5 if I could.
What do You think about Fredda Come Il Ghiaccio (1969)?
A quick enjoyable read by a young Michael Crichton under his pseudo-name John Lange.
—lia
Michael Crichton is the author. Early work. Very quick read.
—Trisha
