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Paul Shaw #1
The Falling Man
Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1989
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March 9, 2019
"The Falling Man' by Mark Sadler, a pseudonym for prolific author Dennis Lynds, is the first in a series of novels featuring detective Paul Shaw. This 1970 crime story is interesting, well-crafted, and suspenseful. It is not great, but very decent and worth reading.
The plot is convoluted, but Lynds does a good job of leading the reader through the unlikely relationships and complicated action. Shaw is a detective who wants answers, mainly to satisfy himself, but also to make money for his firm. "When you kill a man you want to know his name," he points out at the beginning after the first act of sudden violence (first of many). He is a much more conventional detective that what I am used to, representing well-paying clients.
Although happily married, there is a nicely woven sub-plot as Shaw is tempted by the inevitable alluring female. The sexual tension adds a nice component: "Cassandra sat down and crossed her legs. They were fine legs. She smoked in short, hard puffs. She was unaware of her legs, or my eyes."
Also, the 1960s setting makes for a fascinating backdrop. This is the era of Vietnam, hippies, and a time of subtle change in the business and economic world as America was evolving from being an industrial power. There are some philosophical points made about business, greed, detective work, and human nature through various characters. Nothing that is life-changing to the reader, but much thought provoking.
The plot is convoluted, but Lynds does a good job of leading the reader through the unlikely relationships and complicated action. Shaw is a detective who wants answers, mainly to satisfy himself, but also to make money for his firm. "When you kill a man you want to know his name," he points out at the beginning after the first act of sudden violence (first of many). He is a much more conventional detective that what I am used to, representing well-paying clients.
Although happily married, there is a nicely woven sub-plot as Shaw is tempted by the inevitable alluring female. The sexual tension adds a nice component: "Cassandra sat down and crossed her legs. They were fine legs. She smoked in short, hard puffs. She was unaware of her legs, or my eyes."
Also, the 1960s setting makes for a fascinating backdrop. This is the era of Vietnam, hippies, and a time of subtle change in the business and economic world as America was evolving from being an industrial power. There are some philosophical points made about business, greed, detective work, and human nature through various characters. Nothing that is life-changing to the reader, but much thought provoking.
Displaying 1 of 1 review