Knock, knock! Who's there?

by James Hadley Chase

Johnny Bianda is a man with a dream. He wants to own a boat off the coast of Florida and he only needs $186,000 to buy it. He steals the money from his firm, knowing that one day they'll notice and one day they'll kill him for it - after all, it is the Mafia. But for Johnny Bianda, the risk is worth taking and he knows it will be at least a year before they catch up with him.... Unfortunately for Bianda, the knock on his door comes sooner than he thinks.

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Fiction, Novels, Mystery, Noir

184 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

René Lodge Brabazon Raymond was born on 24th December 1906 in London, England, the son of Colonel Francis Raymond of the colonial Indian Army, a veterinary surgeon. His father intended his son to have a scientific career, was initially educated at King's School, Rochester, Kent. He left home at the age of 18 and became at different times a children's encyclopedia salesman, a salesman in a bookshop, and executive for a book wholesaler before turning to a writing career that produced more than 90 mystery books. His interests included photography (he was up to professional standard), reading and listening to classical music, being a particularly enthusiastic opera lover. Also as a form of relaxation between novels, he put together highly complicated and sophisticated Meccano models.

In 1932, Raymond married Sylvia Ray, who gave him a son. They were together until his death fifty three years later. Prohibition and the ensuing US Great Depression (1929–1939), had given rise to the Chicago gangster culture just prior to World War II. This, combined with her book trade experience, made him realise that there was a big demand for gangster stories. He wrote as R. Raymond, James Hadley Chase, James L. Docherty, Ambrose Grant and Raymond Marshall.

During World War II he served in the Royal Air Force, achieving the rank of Squadron Leader. Chase edited the RAF Journal with David Langdon and had several stories from it published after the war in the book Slipstream: A Royal Air Force Anthology.

Raymond moved to France in 1956 and then to Switzerland in 1969, living a secluded life in Corseaux-sur-Vevey, on Lake Geneva, from 1974. He eventually died there peacefully on 6 February 1985.

Reviews

[W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Johnny Bianda is a gunman for a mafia boss.He wants to buy a boat and start a new life.He makes a plan to steal the money from the mafia to buy the boat.

Soon,he finds himself on the run as the hunt for him moves into high gear.The action moves along at a rapid pace,it is a page turner.

There are loopholes in the plot and some scarcely believable situations as perfect strangers help Johnny out.And as is usual in Hadley Chase thrillers,a woman who wants money hooks up with Johnny,while fully aware of the risks.

There is only one way this would end,but despite the predictability of the ending,the book is still very entertaining.

I first read this book years ago,and remembered the title.It didn't disappoint this time either,top-notch thriller.

[Mark Vickers · Rating 4 out of 5]

What another ripsnorter from the maestro, a great storyline about a quick draw of a gun Johnny Bianda that comes up with an idea of stealing 186 grand from a mafia boss and from that point onwards he faces a downhill battle to stay out of their reach, just another masterpiece from the master himself one drug that his fanatics can't get enough of.........

[Paul Cornelius · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mafia story! Something new for James Hadley Chase (in 1973). What is more is that it is Chase returning to provide a classical JHC storyline and characterization. Johnny Bianda might even be a bit more than the classical JHC hero. At least I hoped he was as I was reading through this. Because, for the first time in a Chase novel, I could see a sympathetic criminal getting away with it. Bianda is actually a decent sort who only kills in defense of someone else, Freda, his girlfriend. And the crime he commits doesn't even impact anyone other than a crime lord. Johnny deserves to escape with his cash and his girlfriend. Come on, James Hadley, let'em go, won't you?

But back to the mafia angle. While reading through this, all I could think of is that once again Chase is aware of his market. Just as Mario Puzo and the film version of The Godfather had permeated popular culture, here was JHC taking up the theme. Just as he had with spy thrillers in the sixties, noir crime stories in the fifties, and psychological suspense pieces in the forties. JHC will sniff out a market and follow it for the gold that's there. Anyway, as I say, I'm thinking Puzo and The Godfather as I read through this book. And then, of course, what does JHC do? Right about the half way mark he has his protagonist, Johnny, get a copy of Puzo's The Godfather and become enthralled with it. This is a small touch, but it's the sort of self reinforcing plot element that will help generate a connection in the reader's mind between Chase and a bestseller. Good marketing, JHC.

[Akinola Akinyemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gangster paradise!

This is an adventure into the world of the Mafia. Unfortunately, I never read or saw Mario Puzo's Godfathers in binds or reels. Just didn't enjoy the Mafia winning this game of wits. I wanted Bianda to outwit the gang so badly and that led to my disappointment. Slightly short of my expectation. Nonetheless, still a good read in the gangster paradise.

[Aniket · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a James Hadley book, do we have to say anything else?

[Jeff Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

My second and last James Hadley Chase book unfortunately. I wanted to love this book, but...

[Shawn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chase remains one of my top picks for all-time favorite authors which is funny because he's really a lousy author nine times out of ten. His brand of American pulp is frequently formulaic to the point of predictability. Bold, tough men in desperate situations try their hand at stealing a better life but are far less clever than they imagine. Busty, devastatingly good-looking women who are as smart as they are cruel. The odd, old-fashioned conservatism that pokes its head out now and again to decry hopheads but is quick and easy with the sex and violence.

This isn't one of his gems, but I always can expect to not put a book of his down once I get started.

[Ramzi Zaindeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very fast paced story, a typical 'Hadley Chase' thriller that keeps you on the edge till the end. Personally i hoped for a better ending for the storyline but I guess it's not always about happy endings right?

[Srikanth R · Rating 4 out of 5]

thrilling gripping entertaining.... JHC rocks.... never disappointed with his novels.... Liked the ending....

[Princess Sherifat Akorede]

Used to read the series of James Hardley Chase. It was what young Nigerians did in the 70s and 80s. It was an exciting and book exchange era. Nostalgic right now in 2020!

[Paul Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although most of them were written over 40 years ago, James Hadley Chase’s books are still a great read even today. He is a master thriller writer and his books are difficult to put down once you start to read them.
This is the story of Johnny Bianco who works for a Mafia boss as a money collector. He decides to take one night’s takings for himself, but gets pursued by the Mafia bosses. He meets and falls in love with Freda and together they go on the run, planning to return for the money stored in a safety deposit box at a later date. All dos not go to plan.
For people not familiar with James Hadley Chase’s work should read a couple of his books, I am sure you will enjoy them.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[Kakha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm saying the same about all the books of James Hadley Chase, but what to do when it is so true. So this is my favorite book by this inimitable author.

[Privy · Rating 5 out of 5]

he doesn't disappoint

[Sketcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love his writing style. Was just hoping for a happy ending. But alas, it never ends well...

[Payal Pasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not the best of Chase. A long long chase and an abrupt end to everything. As if the author had run out of ideas as to how to come to a climax. Unsatisfactory.

[Francis Wahuria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's one of the most interesting book of James Hadley chase.

[Alick Siyumbwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book half way, I didn't complete reading the whole story.please help me to read the whole thing.

[Molebatsi · Rating 5 out of 5]

No one steals from the Mafia and lives to enjoy the rewards. Johnny Bianda dares to steal from them and meets his end in a hail of bullets.

[Ibrahim Jibrila · Rating 4 out of 5]

Want to read

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad

[Somyajeet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is the risk valid? To die trying to achieve something be tagged as an achievement in comparison to sitting idle on your arms...maybe or maybe not. Everyone is entitled to his actions. It's your life, achieve...survive and you are the next big man in this jungle. Who knows?

[Al-amin Zanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

"His mommy have told him about the braclet is a secret without it something terrible it will happen to him"

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

[Jenifer Jacobs]

Deji recommended.

[Kaustubh · Rating 4 out of 5]

very welll written. I loved the action in it. Worth spending time on it.

[Tukur · Rating 5 out of 5]

interesting

[Oumeyma · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book! Loved the story .. It's all perfect!!

[Ian Malungana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply sublime.

[King Habey · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a goodread...but the end turns messy...

[Fihinfoluwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice