Intimate Victims

by Vin Packer

Somehow he’d ended up with someone else’s coat . . . and that act could end Robert Bowser’s life before it started.

His hand trembled as he answered the phone.

''Mr. Bowser?''

''Yes.''

''Mr. Bowser, my name is Harvey Plangman.''

''Yes, Mr. Plangman. I have your wallet, and jacket, too, I believe.''

''And I have yours.''

''Why don’t you drive over here? I could offer you a drink and we could reclaim our things.''

''Mr. Bowser, were you planning on going to Brazil?''

Was this really how the world ended?

''You don’t have anything to be afraid of, Mr. Bowser.''

''I’d better come there.''

''Yes, I think it would be better if you came here. You’ll know who I am all right, Mr. Bowser. I’m wearing your coat . . .

Genres: Crime

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1962

About the author

Marijane Meaker (born May 27, 1927) is an American novelist and short story writer in several genres using different pen names. From 1952 to 1969 she wrote twenty mystery and crime novels as Vin Packer, including Spring Fire which is credited with launching the genre of lesbian pulp fiction (although few of Packer's books address homosexuality or feature gay characters). Using her own observations of lesbians in the 1950s and 1960s, she wrote a series of nonfiction books as Ann Aldrich from 1955 to 1972. In 1972 she switched genres and pen names once more to begin writing for young adults, and became quite successful as M.E. Kerr, producing over 20 novels and winning multiple awards, including the American Library Association's lifetime award for young-adult literature (Edwards Award). She was described by The New York Times Book Review as "one of the grand masters of young adult fiction." As Mary James, she has written four books for younger children.

Regardless of genre or pen name, Meaker's books have in common complex characters that have difficult relationships and complicated problems, who rail against conformity. Meaker said of this approach, "I was a bookworm and a poetry lover. When I think of myself and what I would have liked to have found in books those many years ago, I remember being depressed by all the neatly tied-up, happy-ending stories, the abundance of winners, the themes of winning, solving, finding — when around me it didn't seem that easy. So I write with a different feeling when I write for young adults. I guess I write for myself at that age."

Reviews

[Sarah Schulman]

Up to 3/4 of this novel it is devastating- and far beyond pulp. But the ending is a flop and a blown opportunity. Tempting to re-write this great set-up and make the book work.

[Elliot Chalom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great bit of noir, but not as much in the the Jim Thompson vein as I thought based on the cover. Has more than a whiff of The Talented Mr. Ripley. Loved it, and if you liked Ripley I think you will too.