The Cross-Eyed Bear Murders

by Dorothy B. Hughes

Alone in New York City, a young actress becomes entangled in an international caper

Lizanne Steffasson used to dream of life on the Broadway stage—that is, until she came crashing down to Earth. Having decided to aim lower, she dreams simply of being able to pay her rent—which is why she responds to a strange ad in the newspaper: “Wanted: A beautiful girl. One not afraid to look on danger’s bright face.” Lizanne is neither beautiful nor fearless, and she’s about to come face-to-face with a most fearful danger indeed.

 

When the Swedish billionaire known as the Cross-Eyed Bear died, he left his three sons’ inheritance in a trust, to be collected when the youngest turned twenty-one. But just before his birthday, the youngest son disappeared into the wilds of New York. Now, the estate lawyer wants Lizanne’s help finding him. Lizanne knows more of the story than her new employer realizes—and she cannot trust anyone if she is to come through the mission alive.

Genres: Noir, Ebooks

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

Dorothy B. Hughes (1904–1993) was a mystery author and literary critic. Born in Kansas City, she studied at Columbia University, and won an award from the Yale Series of Younger Poets for her first book, the poetry collection Dark Certainty (1931). After writing several unsuccessful manuscripts, she published The So Blue Marble in 1940. A New York–based mystery, it won praise for its hardboiled prose, which was due, in part, to Hughes’s editor, who demanded she cut 25,000 words from the book.

Hughes published thirteen more novels, the best known of which are In a Lonely Place (1947) and Ride the Pink Horse (1946). Both were made into successful films. In the early fifties, Hughes largely stopped writing fiction, preferring to focus on criticism, for which she would go on to win an Edgar Award. In 1978, the Mystery Writers of America presented Hughes with the Grand Master Award for literary achievement.

Reviews

[Elizabeth (Alaska) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lizanne Steffason has been given notice of her $17 a week job. The rent is $7 a week and she won't be able to come up with next week's rent. What will she do, sleep on a park bench? And it's winter in New York.

Then she overhears two men talking about an ad for The Lorenzo, a posh residence hotel. Beautiful woman wanted, some possible danger involved. Lizanne knows she isn't beautiful, but she's desperate and knows the worst that can happen is that they don't hire her. Well, it's a novel and, yes she is hired. And yes, there is danger.

I don't think this will ever be my favorite by this author - that goes to In a Lonely Place - but I can always expect something good between the covers of a novel by Dorothy B. Hughes. Her writing style appeals to me and her characterizations are good enough. This was a page turner in terms of plot. I honestly was kept off balance - as was Lizanne - not knowing which were the good or bad guys. I'm happy to place a 4th star, though it might be just below the middle part of that group.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been ages since I read a book straight through because it was so hard to put down, and I forgot how awesome it was to read fairly hard-boiled noir written from a female point of view. Not a femme fatale point of view either, though one or two of those were definitely kicking around...

[Pamela · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was confusing and basically just not up to what I've come to expect from Hughes. Not a bad book, just not all that good.

[Hugh Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second Dorothy B. Hughes book. It was really good, but I did not like it as well as I did In a Lonely Place. Hughes creates and throws together a great cast of characters, but without dropping a spoiler, I found something a bit implausible about one key element of the plot. Hughes is a great mystery writer, and I plan to move on to some of her other books.

[Roger King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Branded, was it fate she answered the ad?

[Shannon]

What a rad main lady character! This was one of the books that would get sent overseas to fellas in WWII because:

"Books are weapons—in a free democracy everyone may read what he likes. Books educate, inform, inspire; they also provide entertainment, bolster morale. This book has been manufactured in conformity with wartime restrictions—read it and pass it on. Our armed forces especially need books—you may give them to your nearest USO office, leave them at your public library, or send them direct to Commanding Headquarters, 4th Service Command, Atlanta, Ga., marked "For Army Libraries."

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A clever but secretive working gal answers an employment ad that promises danger and good pay. It’s a murder mystery with WWII spy craft, cosmopolitan Swedish mining tycoons, and a hot branding iron. If you’re just into Dorothy, this is worthwhile to track her evolution. It’s messy but catches on.

[Jim Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Ive read and enjoyed several Hughes novels (Ride the Pink Horse, The So Blue Marble and In a Lonely Place) but I just couldn't get into this one and gave up at about the 20% mark.