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The Merriweather File
TV Boardman Bloodhound 1960 about vg hardcover 1st UK edition orange red boards In stock shipped from our UK warehouse
121 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published January 1, 1961
13 people want to read
About the author
Lionel White
94 books39 followersLionel White was a crime reporter who wrote around 38 suspenseful thrillers beginning with The Snatchers in 1953 and ending with The Walled Yard in 1978.
Most of his books were translated into a number of different languages and his earlier novels were published as Gold Medal pulp hard-boiled crime fiction, but when Duttons began a line of mystery and suspense books, he also wrote for them.
He was most well known for what a New York Times review described as "the master of the big caper."
A number of his books were made into movies and Stanley Kubrick liked his book 'Clean Break' (1955) so much that he licensed the rights for his film "The Killing" in 1956.
In Quentin Tarantino's film "Reservoir Dogs", Lionel White is listed as an inspiration for the film in the credits.
Gerry Wolstenholme
May 2011
Most of his books were translated into a number of different languages and his earlier novels were published as Gold Medal pulp hard-boiled crime fiction, but when Duttons began a line of mystery and suspense books, he also wrote for them.
He was most well known for what a New York Times review described as "the master of the big caper."
A number of his books were made into movies and Stanley Kubrick liked his book 'Clean Break' (1955) so much that he licensed the rights for his film "The Killing" in 1956.
In Quentin Tarantino's film "Reservoir Dogs", Lionel White is listed as an inspiration for the film in the credits.
Gerry Wolstenholme
May 2011
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
April 3, 2023
Don't peek at the last sentence.
Counselor Yates is not used to shocks and surprises. He is just a simple lawyer, not one of those Perry Mason types. But the Merriweather case puts him in the hot seat. It is remarkable how Lionel White can make the intertwined events and knotty motivations so easy to follow.
Counselor Yates is not used to shocks and surprises. He is just a simple lawyer, not one of those Perry Mason types. But the Merriweather case puts him in the hot seat. It is remarkable how Lionel White can make the intertwined events and knotty motivations so easy to follow.
June 13, 2018
Oh what a tangled web we weave type thriller set in an Eastern US suburb. A lawyer attempts to clear a friend who is arrested with a dead body in the trunk of his car and soon becomes more deeply involved with the wife of the accused. Who is the real murderer and who are these people really are puzzles Lionel White sets before the reader. The accused man agonizes in his own tangled web, gradually seeing the web become a noose and the lovelorn "rescuer" is gradually merrily weaving his destruction and clueless until the very end. Neat tale and well told. Will be a change of pace for those steeped in White's more famous heist novels, but well worth the effort.
August 4, 2023
Lionel White (1905-1985) was a terrific spinner of noirish tales, several of which were made into movies. This 121-page novel was was published in 1959 and adapted as an episode of the TV series, "Thriller" in 1961.
White's writing is smooth, making reading an effortless exercise. He's also clever. This particular book is full of surprises and ends with a nice little jolt in the very last sentence.
The protagonist is a run-of-the-mill attorney who writes contracts and wills. He's never done any criminal work, but his close friend and next door neighbor is suspected of murder and asks him to help. "Don't worry," he says, "I have an airtight alibi. They'll release me in no time. You won't have to do anything."
Famous last words.
The neighbor actually does have an airtight alibi, yet several facts about the case still don't add up. I'll not reveal any spoilers, but the murder mystery is puzzling, the likable attorney is in over his head, and the ending is satisfying and fun.
If you like well-written crime noir, never pass up a Lionel White novel.
White's writing is smooth, making reading an effortless exercise. He's also clever. This particular book is full of surprises and ends with a nice little jolt in the very last sentence.
The protagonist is a run-of-the-mill attorney who writes contracts and wills. He's never done any criminal work, but his close friend and next door neighbor is suspected of murder and asks him to help. "Don't worry," he says, "I have an airtight alibi. They'll release me in no time. You won't have to do anything."
Famous last words.
The neighbor actually does have an airtight alibi, yet several facts about the case still don't add up. I'll not reveal any spoilers, but the murder mystery is puzzling, the likable attorney is in over his head, and the ending is satisfying and fun.
If you like well-written crime noir, never pass up a Lionel White novel.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews