Black Wings Has My Angel

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

pick

What I love about noir fiction, is that the morally bankrupt thrill of it all, is always undercut with social commentary on big issues. Chaze‘s masterpiece is no exception. I was thrilled and disturbed throughout this ‘angel of death‘ tale, and it also made me think. This is easily one of the best noir novels I have read in some time. I‘m eager to read more from this woefully underrated author. LOVED it. #indiebuddyreads

Leftcoastzen We read it for the #NYRBBookClub & I loved it too! 4y

ClairesReads @Leftcoastzen it is wonderful isn‘t it! Glad you enjoyed as well 4y

Leftcoastzen Highly recommend

In a Lonely Place

ClairesReads @Leftcoastzen my book club read that one last year too. I loved it as well 😊 4y

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Redwritinghood

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

pick

This crime noir definitely felt alive. While the story line was pretty straightforward, it moved along at a fast pace with vivid scenes and no-nonsense writing. 4⭐️

charl08 Ooh, noir. Sounds tempting! 4y

youneverarrived Not my type of book in general but I enjoyed this! 4y

LeahBergen I really enjoyed this one (and that surprised me!). 4y

BarbaraBB I liked this one a lot too! 4y

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TrishB

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

Finished last night in bed. A brilliantly written (though short!) 1950s crime novel. Loved it and couldn‘t put it down until I found out what happened.
A definite pick.

erzascarletbookgasm Yesss! Glad you liked it! 4y

LeahBergen Yay! 👏🏻👏🏻 4y

Centique Glad you found something so good! 4y

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Cathythoughts Oh great !! I think I‘ll invest in this one 👍🏻 4y

Cathythoughts Oh for heavens sake ! I‘ve read it .. yes , it‘s brilliant 4y

batsy Yes, I loved it too! So glad you enjoyed. 4y

batsy @Cathythoughts 😂❤️ 4y

Cathythoughts @batsy 🙄🤣 (edited) 4y

Reggie @Cathythoughts Lololol ❤️ 4y

Cathythoughts @Reggie This happens to lots of people ??!! Right 😬😆 4y

Reggie It happened to me for the first time last year when I bought Milkman off the buy 3 books for the price of 2 table only to realize that when I went home and cleaned out my car I had previously bought it. Lol, so yes. @Cathythoughts 4y

Cathythoughts @Reggie 👍🏻😁what are we like ?!!! 4y

Caroline2 Sounds excellent. Stacked! 😉 4y

TrishB @erzascarletbookgasm @LeahBergen @Centique @batsy @Caroline2 it was a quick little gem 👍🏻 4y

TrishB @Cathythoughts @Reggie I have many books on kindle and print, totally by accident!! 😁 4y

paper.reveries This sounds like a great read! 4y

TrishB @daisyheadmaesie it was a good read 👍🏻 4y

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TrishB

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

Starting this one today.
A previous lovely gift from Jessie ♥️

erzascarletbookgasm

Cathythoughts Sounds really good. I see I have it stacked already... look forward to your thoughts 4y

erzascarletbookgasm I‘ll be curious to see your take on noir crime. 😊 4y

AlaMich This is a good ‘un! 4y

See All 8 Comments

BarbaraBB It is goooood! 4y

LeahBergen This book really surprised me! I found it compelling. 4y

TrishB @Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm @AlaMich @BarbaraBB @LeahBergen it‘s a good sign- I can‘t put it down! 4y

Caroline2 Ohh this sounds good. Looking forward to your review. 😀 4y

BarbaraBB That is so good to hear!! 4y

81 likes8 comments

onebigshoe

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

pick

I‘ve yet to be let down by a NYRB noir reissue. And this is by far my favorite of the lot. A great black-hearted story about obsessive love and how it ultimately curdles. Crafted in beautiful, spare clipped sentences, this novel will keep you on the edge of your seat until the final period.

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batsy

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

Not quite apocalyptic fiction, but these two noir novels about intense, doomed love/obsession convey a particular effect, like these couples exist all on their own in a #GhostTown. Both are brilliant reads heavy with mood and atmosphere.

#MOvember @Cinfhen

TrishB I see I‘ve already stacked the tagged one! What a title. 5y

merelybookish Nice analogy! I was just thinking yesterday of the mineshaft in Black Wings. In Cold Blood is set at the same time, and there are some similarities maybe. 5y

batsy @TrishB We did that for #NYRBbookclub and from what I recall it was quite widely liked 🙂 5y

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batsy @merelybookish Thanks! And every so often I find myself thinking about that mineshaft. One of those things that really stick. I've yet to start ICB but it'll be interesting to read a true crime set in that time period! 5y

BarbaraBB Great comparison. Both good as well! 5y

JennyM Great choices! 5y

batsy @BarbaraBB @JennyM Thanks! Two very memorable books. 5y

saresmoore So clever to pair these two! I love the juxtaposition of the covers, too. 5y

batsy @saresmoore Thank you! ❤️ It's fun when inspiration hits for the photo challenges 😉 5y

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Cathythoughts

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

pick

Excellent!!! This was one edgy read & had my heart pounding at times. I loved the writing.. Tim & Virginia are memorable characters- this book just went *BANG* ( in the best way) from start to finish , a stunning read. Beautiful descriptions of nature too. Tim : “ the water was all purple and brass and silver in the moonlight. I lay down and drank from the creek” his love of simplicity , of nature, in his & Virginia‘s very complicated life. 5🌟

erzascarletbookgasm Great review! BANG sounds about right! 💥👍 5y

Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm thanks!! I loved it 5y

TrishB Great review 👍🏻 and love the title!! 5y

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Tamra Nature?? I‘m in! 5y

batsy Your review goes bang, too Cathy! Nicely put! I found it such a compelling read 🖤 5y

Cathythoughts @TrishB thanks! Isn‘t it a great title 👍🏻♥️ 5y

Cathythoughts @Tamra there are some lovely nature descriptions... but it is a cutting edge thriller really 5y

Cathythoughts @batsy thanks!! Me too ! So compelling- loved it (edited) 5y

LeahBergen Isn‘t it great?? Wonderful review! 👏🏻👏🏻 5y

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen thanks Leah ! It‘s really great 👍🏻♥️ 5y

Libby1 Hi, Cathy. I might be in Cork for a conference at the end of March next year. When does your book club meet? It would be lovely to meet you! 5y

Cathythoughts @Libby1 Libby , our Bookclub meets every 4 to 6 weeks. It would be lovely to meet for a coffee if your in Cork 👍🏻☕️. I hope we can meet up 5y

Libby1 Me too! I‘ll keep you posted. 😊 5y

BiblioLitten I have heard so many good things about this one. Stacked!! 5y

Cathythoughts @BiblioLitten it‘s good 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻look forward to your thoughts 5y

Cathythoughts Hi @erzascarletbookgasm @batsy @LeahBergen I‘m late to this discussion... the book has sparked in me “ Why? “ Why go back to the scene of the crime/ or in this case also to the scene of former innocence & memory .... ( considering the situation ) ... it‘s classic, I know.... but why ? I would avoid them like the plague. Is it the guilty party & an unconscious desire to be caught .... a relief for the guilt ) but the pimento sandwiches ? 5y

erzascarletbookgasm I don‘t know the answer but from what I remember, he‘s drawn to the old site from day 1. After the crime, he‘s been obsessed with wanting to look down that black hole 🕳 🤷‍♀️ Maybe like some criminals, they‘re drawn to the scene of the crime? 5y

Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm yes! I think that‘s it. And then that trip to his old home town , the old memories , it‘s almost like he knew on some level it was all over for him 5y

batsy Sorry I meant to respond but forgot! You both make good points @erzascarletbookgasm @Cathythoughts is it something like the ancient Greek concept of the "fatal flaw"... He couldn't not look back one more time and that was going to be his downfall. The book was just suffused with that dread ... Kudos to the author ?? 5y

Cathythoughts @batsy yes! Great point “the fatal flaw” and yes I agree ‘kudos to the author ‘.... what a darkly human experience reading this was 5y

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erzascarletbookgasm

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliot Chaze

pick

That‘s a wild ride. These two characters really make a memorable pair, especially with their capricious relationship. A dark and gritty read with humour in parts..the plot and dialogues kept the pages turning and had my heart pounding towards the end. Had me imagining different fates for both of them but the ending was not what I imagined. The ‘bathing in money‘ scene is one of a kind. Great noir read.

batsy So good. Glad that you enjoyed it! That image is unforgettable 😆💰💰💰💰 5y

LeahBergen I so enjoyed this book! 5y

Cathythoughts Great review! I just started this last night ... it‘s very good 👍🏻♥️ 5y

erzascarletbookgasm @Cathythoughts thanks! I hope you‘ll enjoy too! 💕 5y

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sisilia

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

pick

4⭐️ This novel is deliciously wicked! Sleek and smooth, like a glass of Hibiki 21 🥃 I used to read a lot of crime fictions; most are thrilling and gruesome, but none has the same quality as this old crime noir. The writing is wonderful, and the humor definitely helps the overall tone of the book.

Thank you for the pick, @mklong @vivastory Now I‘m going to check the discussion posts 😆 #nyrbbookclub #nyrb #nyrbclassics

Cathythoughts Great review 👍🏻 5y

charl08 Sounds fascinating! 5y

batsy Wonderful review! Deliciously wicked sums it up 🖤 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Nice! I notice your pencil matches the title 😉👍 5y

sisilia @erzascarletbookgasm Oooohhhh now I notice it hahaha... that‘s such a nice match 5y

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sisilia

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

#nyrbbookclub

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sisilia

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

I totally agree! 😆 Gosh, this book is so good. A few more pages to the end 😭 #nyrbbookclub

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mklong

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

And finally, Barry Gifford notes in his introduction that “nobody writes books like Black Wings Has My Angel anymore.“ Do you think that is true? If so, why not?

#NYRBBookClub

GatheringBooks, sprainedbrain, sisilia, LeahBergen, Rachel_nyc, Leftcoastzen, Reviewsbylola, emilyhaldi, youneverarrived, MicheleinPhilly, Suet624, merelybookish, saresmoore, batsy, vivastory, BarbaraBB, Liz_M, Theaelizabet

merelybookish I was struck by the class and regional aspects of the book. The depictions of harsh work places and differences between life in a small mountain town vs.a small Southern town. I could understand why Tim was suspicious of the status quo and how it doesn't work for a lot of people. I don't know if that's common in crime fiction but it feels absent from a lot of the literary fiction I read. 5y

vivastory @merelybookish That isn't necessarily common in contemporary crime fiction, but it still shows up from time to time. I think that it feels more natural when it's addressed in crime fic than lit fic 5y

Leftcoastzen I consider James Elroy to be similar.❤️ 5y

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vivastory I feel like Chaze certainly has his heirs. Although he passed away several years ago I would point to Elmore Leonard as one. Great dialogue, memorable characters, similar plots. 5y

youneverarrived I don‘t know. I don‘t read a lot of the genre to really say. Maybe contemporary novels would build more of a backstory of the characters into the story? 5y

vivastory I second @Leftcoastzen 5y

BarbaraBB I hardly ever read this kind of books. The noir aspect was pretty cliché I think but the dialogues and the relationship was really another league for me. 5y

saresmoore For me, this story was a postage stamp for a particular time, place, & perspective. How much or little was elucidated on given topics was just as telling as the settings and descriptions. I think there are a handful of authors who are doing THAT really well, regardless of genre. Lauren Groff (in short stories), Kent Haruf (though not anymore 😥), Anthony Marra all give me that sparse and propulsive, super self-aware storytelling like Chaze. 5y

mklong That is a great point @saresmoore that the style of storytelling is still very much around, even outside of crime fiction. The issues surrounding dissatisfaction with the status quo and our treatment of veterans certainly haven‘t gone anywhere either. 5y

Reviewsbylola I think there are some recent books that are noir inspired (Tangerine and Sunburn spring to mind) but they‘re just not as successful imo. I personally think today‘s lifestyles and technologies just don‘t lend themselves to true noir. 🤷🏼‍♀️ 5y

vivastory @Reviewsbylola That's something I have thought about. It always catches me off guard a bit when a contemporary novel is described as noir without any sort of modifier. Megan Abbott has been called domestic noir & Gillian Flynn could be called southern noir. Those descriptions make sense to me, to only call them noir really doesn't. 5y

sisilia I don‘t read a lot of crime noir recently, but Chaze is definitely unique in his delivery. Thrilling, funny at times, and not gruesome. The last that I read was Bangkok 8 series by John Burdett. That‘s dark! 5y

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mklong

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

Elliott Chaze was a WWII veteran. Why do you think he wrote Tim Sunblade as a fellow WWII veteran? How does it change your feeling or understanding of the character?

#NYRBBookClub

LeahBergen Hmm... well, I was immediately more sympathetic to Sunblade‘s “bad” choices when I discovered he was a POW. 5y

mklong I agree @leahbergen. Not so far of course that it justifies his behavior, but Chaze wrote so well of how it would feel to be free after being locked up, as a POW and then in jail, that it helped understand Tim's motivations 5y

vivastory He says that his motivations for the heist are because he was disillusioned with the life offered to returning veterans. At several points in the book he also seems to try to excuse his actions by the wound he received during the war. I was never completely convinced that his wound had made him more impulsive. I did find it interesting that once he had the money he was deeply dissatisfied. It was almost that it was more about the adventure & not 5y

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vivastory the actual money itself that meant the most to him 5y

mklong I agree @vivastory and I think it's pretty brilliant that Tim doesn't seem to know that it was always about the thrill of the heist and not the money until after the heist is over. 5y

vivastory @mklong Yes. Definitely a brilliant move on Chaze's part! 5y

youneverarrived @LeahBergen agree. I felt the same. 5y

merelybookish @vivastory Yes, I liked that too, how the money becomes a burden to him. Tim seems like someone destined to be a kind of hometown hero, but he rejects it. Maybe because of the war but his Dad seems influential too. 5y

mklong @vivastory @merelybookish What do you both think of Virginia‘s relationship with the money? She didn‘t seem to share Tim‘s dissatisfaction at first, but after the shoot out with the cops, she was overcome by the guilt of the crimes. Of course, that is after they lost most of the money. 5y

saresmoore @merelybookish That‘s such a good point, and I think it‘s a common struggle among vets, even now. I‘ve been studying up on PTSD and the failures of our country to support our veterans, so this book almost read like a fascinating and revealing case study. 5y

merelybookish @mklong I think Virginia is more comfortable with being rich. Although we never learn about her past, there is a sense that she grew with some kind of wealth. 5y

merelybookish @mklong Also she literally bathes in the money! 😂 5y

Rachel_nyc @LeahBergen Exactly how I felt. Not that it justifies his behavior but it does put it into perspective. 5y

Leftcoastzen I am always fascinated with the returning WWII vet theme .Injuries and being a POW can have a major effect .I think many found it difficult or felt permanently broken,yet some seemed to focus on normalcy in the extreme,G.I bill , wife , kids ,beginning that man in the grey flannel suit stereotype image. 5y

vivastory @mklong I don't think she felt as dissatisfied with the money as Tim was. I agree with @merelybookish that she seemed to be more comfortable with it. The bathing in the money scene has to be one of the strangest in all of noir fiction. 😂 5y

Suet624 Oh, Virginia was a happy camper with that money, wasn't she??? :) 5y

sisilia Well, Chaze could be toying about the idea of doing the heist himself 😅 Since he couldn‘t do it in real life, why not brought it alive in a novel? Just a wild thought 5y

39 likes17 comments

mklong

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

Several critics have called this a cinematic novel. Do you agree?

#NYRBBookClub

youneverarrived As I was reading it I actually could imagine it working well on the big screen. It‘s got an old timey cinema feel to it, but I could see a modern version of it working too. Apparently there is a film but it‘s not that good. 5y

Rachel_nyc Absolutely. As I was reading, I could practically see it playing out on screen. 5y

merelybookish @youneverarrived Agree! I could picture the locales and the people. I could picture the security guard with his gum! Too bad about the movie. I was curious once I saw there was one! 5y

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vivastory I agree with @youneverarrived I think both a version true to the time it's set & a contemporary version would work well. After I finished reading it I did some research & in 2012 there were plans for another be version with Tom Hiddleston & Anna Paquin. Barry Gifford wrote the screenplay. It was delayed due to Paquin's pregnancy & there were plans even a couple of years ago to go forward with it. 5y

LeahBergen I totally agree. When I finished the book, I said to my husband, “You‘d like this; it reads just like a movie”. 5y

mklong Did anyone manage to find the French film that Gifford talks about in the introduction? I know he said it's not great, but I'd still love to see it. I honestly can't believe that it isn't already a movie, it seems to lend itself so well to that format. Like @rachel_nyc I was picturing it on screen too, but it was always black and white. 5y

saresmoore @LeahBergen So true! My husband would like it, too. @vivastory Listen, Hollywood, give me Tom Hiddleston as Tim Sunblade RIGHT NOW. 5y

vivastory @saresmoore Have you ever watched the Hollow Crown series that Sam Mendes produced before the London Olympics? Tom Hiddleston as Henry V. 5y

Reviewsbylola It def has a cinematic quality. I think a film adaption would have been amazing decades ago. It still could be good, but I think it would be missing something. 5y

Suet624 The writing was so well done that I definitely felt I was experiencing it visually unlike other novels. I agree with @reviewsbylola that an adaptation today would be missing something. 5y

sisilia Yes, it indeed felt like watching a movie. I cannot picture Tom Hiddleston & Anna Paquin in it, though. Somehow I had Josh Brolin & Elizabeth Olsen in mind 🤔 5y

38 likes11 comments

mklong

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

While not a humorous book, Chaze uses humor throughout the novel. What do you think about the use of humor? Does it provide needed levity, break the atmosphere, etc..

#NYRBBookClub

youneverarrived The little bits of witty humour were perfect. It was a needed element to the book imo but wasn‘t over the top. 5y

Rachel_nyc I definitely appreciated the humor and believe it did inject some needed levity throughout. 5y

vivastory It definitely provided some necessary relief. I think it also prevented it from turning into a genre stereotype. The humor made it feel contemporary. I was reminded of Elmore Leonard & early Tarantino movies. 5y

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LeahBergen I think a little humour in noir is always needed (at least for me. I love black humour 😆). 5y

mklong @vivastory that's a great point that the humor lifted it above genre stereotypes. I think it also made the relationship between Tim and Virginia more compelling and complex. They weren't simply partners in a heist, the way they laughed together made me see that they had real feelings for each other. 5y

vivastory @LeahBergen Same here 😄 5y

vivastory @mklong That's a great point about their relationship! He really did use the humor as character development! 5y

saresmoore @mklong That‘s a great point. I loved the humor—it made me feel like Chaze wasn‘t taking himself or the story too seriously and actually made the intense parts feel even more uncomfortable. 5y

Leftcoastzen Sorry I wasn‘t active during discussion, stuff happens .I think his use of black humor was terrific.Balances out the intensity. 5y

Reviewsbylola I agree with @leftcoastzen. I found the humor in this book very typical of noir. Thoughtful but dark. 5y

emilyhaldi That humor is partly what help distinguished this book from a purely journalistic true crime read. It certainly increased my empathy for Tim! 5y

Suet624 I wouldn't have liked this book as much as I did without the added humor. It would have been a bit too flat and dry for me. 5y

vivastory @Suet624 The humor definitely added some depth to the story & the characters 5y

vivastory @emilyhaldi I agree about it made him more empathetic 5y

sisilia I loved the added humor. It‘s be pretty dry without it. He balanced everything pretty well 👍🏻 5y

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mklong

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

Hello @vivastory and the rest of our #NYRBBookClub friends! It's time to get our discussion going.

Chaze's style was influenced by Hemingway and James Cain. Cain and Hemingway were also journalists. Do you think this had an impact on the novel?

#NYRBBookClub

youneverarrived It didn‘t have a journalistic style as such but you can definitely see the influence of journalism e.g snappy, to the point sentences. I love writing like that. It works really well for this type of novel. 5y

vivastory @youneverarrived Snappy is a great way to describe it. There were parts I noticed an influence from work as a journalist. The planning of & execution of the heist had a very documentary matter of fact approach that you would see in a work of long-form journalism. 5y

LeahBergen @vivastory Now that you mention it, it DID have a documentary feel in those parts. Almost what we see in recent “true crime”. 5y

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mklong I agree that snappy is a great way to put it @youneverarrived. I could also see the influence of his journalism career in his ability to choose such specific details that would add so much to the scene with only a few words. 5y

youneverarrived That‘s a good point @vivastory I never thought of it like that but it was told and planned out in a very matter of fact way. 5y

merelybookish I also appreciated how the plot was structured. I liked how each chapter/section started with some kind of backward reflection by Tim, and then what happened was filled in. We know he ends up back in jail but the how/why are filled in. 5y

saresmoore I can see the journalistic influence in how the supporting characters were intentionally placed in time & space, giving context to the events. Every scene was described like a crime scene and every character was a potential perp or a witness or both. 5y

BarbaraBB Thanks @mklong @vivastory for the great questions and the lively discussion. It was Saturday night here and we were bbq‘ing with friends and though I could take a peek at the comments sometimes I wasn‘t able to join unfortunately. 5y

Reviewsbylola Omg, I instantly saw the Cain connection! This validates it for me. I absolutely hate Hemingway tho so maybe that‘s why this one didn‘t rise to the level of Cain‘s books for me. 5y

emilyhaldi Sorry I‘m late to the party! But yes, this did read like James Cain and like true crime! @vivastory @LeahBergen no wonder I liked it so much... I don't have patience for modern thrillers that tend to be filled with superfluous details and dialogue. I think it was impressive how Chaze was still able to insert Tim's sentiments in a way that added to the suspense and didnt detract from that "true crime" or journalistic feeling. 5y

Suet624 @vivastory @mklong First, let me just say that I am religious about reading each month's selection and I am also apparently religious about missing these questions. Off on a boat on the Connecticut River this time. Please know how much I appreciate this group and the books I'm reading. My lack of response in no way expresses my intense level of interest.
5y

Suet624 I've never read James Cain but now I think I should. I loved the hints along the way of upcoming events and, now that you mention it, did have a very journalistic feel.
5y

vivastory @Suet624 No worries. Things come up! I've only read one James Cain & it was a small book, but definitely a powerful one

The Postman Always Rings Twice: Double Indemnity ; Mildred Pierce ; and Selected Stories

Suet624 @vivastory Oh! That's James Cain. Of course! Such classic stories. 5y

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youneverarrived

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

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Not my usual type of read but I enjoyed it. Great writing, well paced and two memorable characters in Tim and Virginia. #nyrbbookclub ⭐️⭐️⭐️

mklong, vivastory

vivastory Seems to be the general consensus 👍 5y

Cathythoughts Sounds good ! I don‘t know when I‘ll get to it ... but everyone likes it 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 5y

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emilyhaldi

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

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Just finished and I am SHOOK. Tim and Virginia just turned this lazy peaceful Saturday morning on its head... suddenly my blood pressure is sky-high and my heart is thumping out of my chest. Is it too early for a bourbon?! 🥃
#NYRBbookclub

mklong, vivastory

vivastory Not at all! Glad you liked it! 5y

LeahBergen Time for a bourbon and some Heavenly Hash, I‘d say. 😆 5y

BarbaraBB Super review. I was not that interested in the beginning and then suddenly the story is so gripping and asks for bourbon indeed, or something else that‘s strong!! 5y

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batsy Haha, yes! And it's never too early for a bourbon 🙌🏽 5y

Dragon 😻 5y

AlaMich They‘re quite the couple, ain‘t they? 5y

Reviewsbylola I felt the same way. @barbarabb The first 50 pages I was like 🥴😰 but when they moved to the suburbs I got into it! 5y

BarbaraBB @Reviewsbylola I was really impressed by the ending and how it came to that. Really good! 5y

Mdargusch hmmmm i almost want to read it 5y

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batsy

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

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Feels odd to say this, but this was super enjoyable crime noir, utterly bleak and dark with glinting black humour. You can see the disaster coming but you're in for the ride because of the vivid immediacy of the writing and the finely-drawn characters. I was rooting for these misfits from the bottom of my cold, dead heart 😆🖤

4 stars (shining out from within the depths of the deep, dark void)

#NYRBbookclub @mklong @vivastory

Cathythoughts Brilliant 😂review... you have a way with the words 👍🏻👍🏻. Looking forward to it now 5y

Leftcoastzen 😂👍Lovely review! 5y

mklong Love this review! 5y

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vivastory Brilliant review! Misfits unite! 5y

TrishB Great review 👍🏻😁 5y

emilyhaldi LOL my cold, dead heart tends to enjoy the same 🖤 (edited) 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Haha! Nice review! 👏😁 I hope to read this soon, on my tbr. 5y

LeahBergen 😆😆 I was rooting for them, too! 5y

batsy @Cathythoughts @Leftcoastzen @mklong @TrishB @erzascarletbookgasm Thank you! 😁❤️ 5y

batsy @vivastory @emilyhaldi @LeahBergen I'm so glad I'm not alone 😆🖤 5y

batsy @mklong I'm sorry I won't be able to join in on the discussion as it'll be 2am here and I have to head out of town early in the morning. But hope to check in and read the comments when I can 🙂 5y

Leftcoastzen Safe travels! 5y

saresmoore I love your review! 5y

Rachel_nyc Great review! 5y

BarbaraBB Love your review 💜💜 (edited) 5y

britt_brooke 🖤🖤🖤 5y

batsy @Leftcoastzen Thank you! Just going for an overnight trip to the highlands but we picked the wettest day 😂 5y

batsy @saresmoore @Rachel_nyc @BarbaraBB @britt_brooke Thank you 💜 5y

Hamlet When I see supportive reviews of a book I might like, I find myself hoping you‘ll review it too because you write them so well, expressing candid, witty, & succinct insights. Thanks for all the great writing! 5y

batsy @Hamlet Thank you so much for the kind words ❤️ Thanks for reading; it's wonderful to be able to share thoughts on books here and chat with people who are generous readers and thoughtful writers :) 5y

BiblioLitten Have heard so many good things about this book! #stacked 5y

batsy @BiblioLitten It's a gripping noir read 👌🏽 5y

108 likes5 stack adds22 comments

emilyhaldi

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

Finally back to reading this morning 🙏🏻
I've got quite a bit to go before joining today's discussion but I'll be there eventually 😆
#NYRBbookclub

mklong, vivastory

Cathythoughts Great picture ✨ 5y

mklong Enjoy your morning! 5y

vivastory Enjoy! It flys by. 5y

See All 11 Comments

Reviewsbylola This reminded me of James Cain! 5y

youneverarrived Once you get going with it it‘s a pretty quick read. 5y

LeahBergen It‘s a speedy read. 👍🏻 5y

emilyhaldi Yes definitely!!! @Reviewsbylola 5y

saresmoore Oh, I just noticed the kitty-baby in this photo! 😻 5y

KathrynElise I love this picture! The reflection of the vase and your cat in the mirror is beautiful 😍 5y

emilyhaldi Thank you!! @KathrynElise anytime I‘m taking a picture she feels the need to insert herself, ESPECIALLY if there are flowers she can eat 😏 5y

Mdargusch lovely fleurs 5y

84 likes11 comments

youneverarrived

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

I seem to have lost my reading mojo this month 😫 it‘s taking me ages to finish a book and I‘m struggling to really get into any. Saying that, I am liking this one so far. I‘ve got quite a bit of it left to read before our discussion tomorrow so this is my plan for tonight. #nyrbbookclub

MicheleinPhilly I haven‘t even started it. I don‘t know what has happened to my brain this summer. 😔 5y

Cathythoughts This one sounds good ... I have it , but I‘m avoiding it 🤷🏻‍♀️... I hope you finish it soon & love it 5y

erzascarletbookgasm I hope you get back your reading mojo! 🤞💗 I have this one too, @Cathythoughts though not the nyrb edition 😊 5y

See All 9 Comments

emilyhaldi Glad I'm not the only one! @youneverarrived @MicheleinPhilly I haven't done much reading in the past several weeks.. too much going on AND I can't focus when I do have time 🤪 But I'm about a quarter of the way through this one and determined to finish today!! 5y

MicheleinPhilly @emilyhaldi It‘s weird - I‘ve had days this summer where I‘ve done nothing but read. But I‘ve also had whole weeks (like this one) where I haven‘t read a thing. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 5y

youneverarrived @MicheleinPhilly same. I‘ve just really slowed down on reading 😕 5y

youneverarrived @Cathythoughts thanks Cathy 😘 it‘s not what I‘d usually read but I liked it. 5y

youneverarrived @erzascarletbookgasm thanks Jessie 😘 5y

youneverarrived @emilyhaldi I‘m the same, just can‘t focus on reading. Hopefully we‘ll get our reading mojos back soon! 5y

54 likes9 comments

Leftcoastzen

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

pick

#NYRBBookclub A pick for me! Barry Gifford writes in the intro. to this nicely crafted Noir that it‘s a shame Chaze has not been remembered as much .He‘s not In the other book pictured here.Books like these feature brassy women & brazen men ,usually with criminal plans & secrets in their past they don‘t want to share.I think the writing is on par or a cut above classics in this field.Great pick @mklong can‘t wait to discuss!

vivastory

mklong Phew, I‘m so glad so many of us liked this one! Looking forward to discussing further with you on Saturday. 5y

vivastory Definitely another hidden gem. Some of the other noir titles NYRB has published are fantastic as well 5y

Leftcoastzen @vivastory Pretty sure we both read and liked

In a Lonely Place

See All 7 Comments

vivastory A fantastic book. I have the other Hughes that NYRB published, still unread but looking forward to it! 5y

BarbaraBB @vivastory You mean this one? It is great! Not noir though imo.

The Expendable Man

LeahBergen I just finished it tonight, too. 👍🏻 5y

vivastory @BarbaraBB Yeah, that's the one. I'm glad to hear you liked it 5y

51 likes7 comments

mklong

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

pick

I really enjoyed this one! Looking forward to discussing this with the #NYRBBookClub on Saturday.

Checking out all of our pictures through the hashtag, I think this might be turning into the #NYRBBookAndWineClub!

vivastory

vivastory I think you're right 🍷📚🍷📚 5y

BarbaraBB The kind of books we‘ve read so far all needed some alcohol to digest 😀 5y

LeahBergen I‘m down with the new hashtag. 😆😆 5y

55 likes3 comments

Liz_M

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

Why oh why didn't I bring the book I had finished a week ago to brunch where I saw the absolute best matching drink??? #NYRBBookClub, @vivastory

vivastory That would make a great pairing! 5y

BarbaraBB Great drink! What did you think of the book? 5y

20 likes2 comments

LeahBergen

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

Oooo, I‘m LOVING the feel of this month‘s #NYRBBookClub pick, you guys! I‘m at the halfway point and finding it hard to put down. It‘s quite warm out, thus the #heavypour. 😆😆

mklong, vivastory

vivastory I'm also loving it. Great, snappy dialogue. "A gentleman is a doormat with all the scratch gone from it." I just reached the halfway point myself. Cheers! ? 5y

Tamra Lovely view! 5y

batsy I'm about halfway through and really enjoying it, too 👍🏽 5y

See All 10 Comments

JulietReads Ooo. Classy gal. 🍷 5y

Cathythoughts I need to start this one .... 5y

LauraBeth Wait - you go outside and leave your fabulous library? I‘m going to need to process this... 5y

LeahBergen @LauraBeth Begrudgingly. My husband says I sizzle like a vampire if any sun ever hits me. 😆😆 5y

mklong I‘m down with any excuse for a heavy pour. It‘s pretty warm here now that I think about it... 5y

BarbaraBB Perfect combination. The book, the booze, the heat, the scenery 🖤 5y

Suet624 @vivastory I don‘t remember that line, but it‘s great! 5y

105 likes2 stack adds10 comments

Rachel_nyc

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

pick

This is another one that never would have been on my radar without the #nyrbbookclub and I really enjoyed it. Lots of intrigue and the writing made me feel like I was right there along for the crazy ride. Looking forward to the discussion. #nyrb I‘m not sure if the image shown was original or if it was released as One for the Money subsequently but seems pretty racy for the time!

Cathythoughts I keep thinking I need to get reading this one ... 5y

Rachel_nyc @Cathythoughts You definitely do! It‘s a quick read too. 5y

LeahBergen I thought I was following you already? 🤔 Weird! I‘ve now “re-followed”. 5y

See All 12 Comments

Rachel_nyc @LeahBergen ha ha that is strange but glad you re-followed! 🤣 5y

BarbaraBB @Cathythoughts you must! You enjoy all NYRB‘s don‘t you? 5y

BarbaraBB Is this the same book with another title? 5y

vivastory I'm glad you enjoyed this one. Looking forward to the discussion. 5y

Rachel_nyc @BarbaraBB Yes! 5y

Rachel_nyc @vivastory Same. I‘m curious to hear what everyone thinks of both main characters. 5y

Liz_M That is quite the cover! 😁 5y

sisilia Omg the scene of Virginia bathing in money!! 🤑😻 5y

Rachel_nyc @sisilia And this is exactly how I pictured it! 5y

22 likes12 comments

saresmoore

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

pick

This was another totally distinct selection for the #NYRBBookClub. I really enjoyed this one! The story unwinds on itself in a masterful way and Chaze strikes just the right balance between gory and prudish. The main character is oddly relatable, even endearing, and serves as the perfect vehicle for the bizarre and unpredictable story. The tone is both light-hearted and ominous—it doesn‘t take itself too seriously, but there is some serious depth.

mklong, vivastory

mklong Great review! I‘ve only just started, but I‘m really enjoying it so far 5y

batsy I've only just started as well and liking it so far. Going from Hurston's rich, detailed prose to Chase's spare, economical style is really interesting and fun. The noir inflections are so enjoyable. Nice review 💜 5y

saresmoore @mklong Thank you! I‘m not used to the genre, but I really liked it. 5y

See All 8 Comments

saresmoore @batsy Thank you! And yes to the noir inflections—perfect way of phrasing it. I can still hear Tim Sunblade in my head, just so. 5y

merelybookish I really liked this one too! 5y

vivastory Stellar review, as always! I just started this one today & I'm enjoying it immensely. Looking forward to the discussion. 5y

LeahBergen I just started it this evening! 👍🏻 5y

Suet624 I so enjoyed this one. 5y

92 likes1 stack add8 comments

AnneCecilie

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

Next up.
#NYRBBookClub

BarbaraBB Yay. I just finished it. It‘s something completely different again! 5y

Cathythoughts I have it on kindle .. I‘m not as anxious to start this one. I‘ll wait for a few reviews ... 5y

AnneCecilie @BarbaraBB that it is, and I‘m not sure what to make of it jet. 5y

See All 7 Comments

AnneCecilie @Cathythoughts it‘s a buddy read this month so I think you‘ll see several reviews in the coming week. The book is discussed this Saturday 5y

BarbaraBB It gets better, I think. It took some time to get into the story but then it keeps getting better and the ending is... 🤫 5y

AnneCecilie @BarbaraBB I‘m 130p into the story and really counting on the ending 5y

BarbaraBB Oh no, now I hope that you won‘t be disappointed. 🤞 5y

61 likes7 comments

BarbaraBB

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

pick

Tim Sunblade, an escaped convict, has planned a heist that will set him up for life. But the partner who helped him plan didn‘t survive the prison escape, so he has to find someone else. After all, it‘s a two-person job. Then he meets Virginia. Their cat-and-mouse relationship is memorable 💕
The story is noir crime fiction at its best, with great dialogue, a quickly moving plot and a startling ending.

Great choice, Katie! #NYRBBookClub

mklong, vivastory

vivastory Great review! This should make for a fun discussion! 5y

BarbaraBB @vivastory I think so too. Have you started yet? 5y

vivastory I'm starting it tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to it. 5y

mklong I‘m glad you liked it! I‘m starting today too. 5y

AlaMich I just finished this on audio and it was excellent. The narrator was perfect. 5y

77 likes6 stack adds5 comments

mklong

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

Hey there #NYRBBookClub! I hope you are all enjoying this month‘s selection and will be able to join @vivastory and me for the discussion on Saturday 8/24, at 2 pm, eastern time.

MicheleinPhilly Thanks for the reminder! 5y

Leftcoastzen Need to get reading it! love the discussions. 5y

vivastory 👏👏 5y

See All 13 Comments

saresmoore I am so determined to be present for this one! 5y

sisilia 🙌🏻 5y

GatheringBooks enjoy the discussion, everyone! 🧚🏼‍♀️😘📚 5y

Reviewsbylola Guess I better get to this one! 😆 5y

Rachel_nyc I just finished and really liked it. Looking forward to the discussion! 5y

BarbaraBB I am almost finished and looking forward to our discussion! 5y

emilyhaldi Going to start this tomorrow 👍🏻 5y

erzascarletbookgasm Not in the nyrb club but my copy (a different edition) just arrived. I may read it soon 🙂 5y

batsy I should get started 😁 5y

Liz_M It was a slower novel than I expected, but quite enjoyable. Unfortunately, I think I am going to be traveling during the discussion time. 😢 5y

53 likes13 comments

Suet624

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

I‘m enjoying this so much that I just took advantage of NYRB‘s 50% off sale of crime noir books (happening this weekend) to buy four new reads. Crime noir is not something I usually read, but clearly that‘s about to change.

sisilia Loooovvveee crime noir ❣️ Looking forward to this! 5y

saresmoore I am loving it! I didn‘t think I would, either, but it‘s a great read. 5y

Suet624 @saresmoore NYRB books just hit it out of the park. Not a dud in the bunch. 5y

See All 17 Comments

Margot0817 I know what film noir is but what exactly is crime noir like in reading? 5y

Suet624 I have to assume it‘s similar. There‘s a style to it: A perpetrator of a crime, a beautiful woman and a victim or two, does the perpetrator get caught. 😂 but I think of it as more stylized with a bit of humor and mystery. @Margot0817 (edited) 5y

kspenmoll I just might like this! (edited) 5y

BarbaraBB You make me so curious! I am starting it now too! 5y

Liz_M So, what other noir books did you buy? 5y

Suet624 @kspenmoll I bet you would! 5y

Suet624 @BarbaraBB liking it? 5y

Basic Black with Pearls

Suet624 @Liz_M

Sand: Roman

BarbaraBB Yes, it was a pick for me. What about you? 5y

Suet624 @BarbaraBB Definitely! Thoroughly enjoyable. 😻 5y

Liz_M Oooh, I had my eye on Sand. Didn't realize it was taggedas Crime/Suspense, so now I am even more interested. 😁 5y

56 likes1 stack add17 comments

merelybookish

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

I never read crime noir but wow, I'm really liking our August #NYRBbookclub pick! (This is why it's good to read outside your comfort zone.)
And I'm also enjoying that a lot takes place in 1950s Denver. I live here but don't really know much about it.
Great pick @mklong @vivastory

mklong Oh so glad you are enjoying it! I‘m looking forward to it. 5y

merelybookish @mklong I am! It's really nuanced and there's talk of class and region. And the structure is interesting. Like it a lot so far! (only halfway.) 5y

vivastory I haven't started it yet, but your comment is making me look forward to it even more. I love noir, although admittedly most of my familiarity is through movies & not books. Hoping to rectify this a little. 5y

See All 6 Comments

merelybookish @vivastory I think I've seen one Bogart movie. Some of the generic cliches are in the book but they work. 5y

BarbaraBB This sounds promising! I am looking forward to it as well! 5y

merelybookish @BarbaraBB I'm excited for others to start reading it. And to discuss it! 5y

69 likes3 stack adds6 comments

merelybookish

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

Discovered Hoopla has the next #NYRBbookclub pick on audio. Enjoying the snappy noir tone so far! @mklong @vivastory

vivastory Nice! I'm really looking forward to this one. 5y

mklong Awesome! Does the voice actor have one of those old-timey Bogart sounding voices? 5y

AlaMich I just started listening to this after reading your post. The narrator is great! 5y

merelybookish @AlaMich Oh cool! I'm finding the whole book pretty great, somewhat to my surprise! I'll be interested to hear what you think! 5y

65 likes4 comments

Leftcoastzen

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

#NYRBbookclub Tried to hold the line on book buying but NYRB has a sale!Only problem,Chess Story was so late I had to get it on Kindle, thrilled anyway.The tagged book is our August selection, and so many people have loved Stoner I could not resist!

mklong, vivastory

LauraJ Good choices. 5y

vivastory Stellar selections! I have all of these, except for the Babitz which is on my TBR 5y

Leftcoastzen @LauraJ Thanks!📚 5y

See All 9 Comments

Leftcoastzen @vivastory Really wanted to try one of Eves‘ books since I loved the book about her

Hollywood's Eve: Eve Babitz and the Secret History of L.A.

mklong Nice stack!! It‘s probably a good thing that I didn‘t know about that sale. 5y

saresmoore Ooh, great picks! 5y

youneverarrived Great choices! Stoner is brilliant 💙 5y

Suet624 Nice! Look at all those lovely books. 5y

BarbaraBB Great choices. And Stoner is great indeed 💕 5y

57 likes1 stack add9 comments

Liz_M

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

#nyrbbookclub, look what you made me do! 😡
😁 @vivastory

BarbaraBB 😍😍 5y

vivastory Excellent stack!! I have White Walls & Twenty Thousand Streets. Both still TBR. 5y

LeahBergen 😆😆 Judith Hearne has been calling my name (I‘ll probably buy it soon!) 5y

See All 11 Comments

Liz_M @LeahBergen I am blaming @sisilia and her top six post for that title 😁 5y

Liz_M @vivastory Isn't the cover for Twenty Thousand gorgeous? I wasn't going to buy it (preferring translated works), but couldn't resist the spine color and the art. (edited) 5y

sisilia Oohhh, is this Housing Works? 🤤 5y

Liz_M @sisilia Yes! They had SO MANY nyrb titles. 😁 5y

sisilia @Liz_M They do! Also, Book Thug Nation at Williamsburg. 5y

emilyhaldi Is it wrong to buy a NYRB just based on spine color and cover alone?! 😆😄🙃 I‘m about to go buy Twenty Thousand... (edited) 5y

Liz_M @emilyhaldi Of course not! Sometimes it is the best way to judge a book. 😁 5y

vivastory @emilyhaldi I completely agree with @Liz_M Plus it's pretty unlikely it'll be a dud. I have yet to be thoroughly disappointed by a NYRB 5y

21 likes11 comments

Reviewsbylola

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

The #nyrbbookclub August pick has some amazing covers in other editions. I‘m drawn to this one! It has @LeahBergen written all over it!

vivastory That's definitely @LeahBergen ! But, is it #BooksIDidntBuyAtTheBookstore or #Bookhaul 🤔😂 5y

LeahBergen 😆😆 It does! And yes, @vivastory ... there is always a very fine line between #BooksIDidntBuyAtTheBookstore and #BookHaul 😆😆 5y

saresmoore 😂 5y

emilyhaldi Omg!! 🤩 hilarious (edited) 5y

67 likes4 comments

Aimeesue

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

LeahBergen What a great haul! 👏🏻👏🏻 6y

Aimeesue @LeahBergen It‘s a used book store where all the books are $3, $5, $7, or $10. And sometimes they have Folios! 6y

LeahBergen Gahhh! Really?? No wonder you don‘t mind driving duty! 😆😆 6y

See All 7 Comments

Lcsmcat And NYRB editions! 6y

Aimeesue @Lcsmcat I was hunting for NYRBs specifically today! I‘m getting *really* good at spotting them in the wild! 😂 6y

batsy What a lovely haul 😍 6y

AlaMich ❤️ #nyrb 6y

30 likes7 comments

Mindyrecycles

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

1. Share a pic of something making you happy this week. My kids are at Disneyland together. I'm SO happy that they love each other. ❤️
2. Share a joke! Why don't Baptists have sex standing up? It might lead to dancing. **I don't know if that's funny to anybody who wasn't raised Baptist. 😂 #friyay @jesshowbooks (feel better!)

Megabooks My mom was raised Baptist, and I think it‘s funny! 6y

GrilledCheeseSamurai My dad is a Baptist pastor and I think it's friggen hilarious! 😂 6y

SleepyDragon I went to a Baptist grade school, so I got the joke without being Baptist. Thanks for the laugh! 6y

Mindyrecycles @NeesyBeth You managed to not get converted?! 😂 6y

SleepyDragon @Mindyrecycles Naw ... my mom and I were already going to a fundamentalist church at the time. I had been in a Lutheran school before that.I went to Catholic high school and then a Lutheran college. I got around. Lol 6y

71 likes5 comments

Suelizbeth

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

pick

A good, old fashioned, crime noir novel, with a befittingly gruesome ending. The writing is stark and the atmosphere dark and the story gripping. No one writes like this anymore.

38 likes1 stack add

Liberty

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

Black wings, blue sky. Reading this outside on a lovely day. Thanks to @fern for reminding me I had it in the stacks. ☀️📚🤘🏻

[DELETED] 3323341091 @Liberty right on! i am curious as to how the book strikes you. 8y

Liberty @fern I dug it! It loses points for antiquated language and views, but overall, it's a great hardboiled crime novel. 8y

Godmotherx5 Sounds really good. 8y

BookBabe Added! 8y

138 likes8 stack adds4 comments

jocelyn_elise

Black Wings Has My Angel | Elliott Chaze

pick

One of my favorite books of the year, so far. I don't read too much noir, but this grabbed my attention. I initially checked this out from the library as an e-book and loved it so much that I had to buy it. Fantastic character development and a fast paced plot make this an excellent read.

Welcome to Litsy!

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