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Call Me Killer
As Sam Gowan holds an empty pistol in his hands as he stands over the body of a man who had been shot through the head, only one word comes to mind . Escape!! Sam Gowan had never heard of homicide detective Barney Manton. Barney's simple theory about catching murderers is to beat, torture, and hound your suspect until he confesses. In a cat and mouse struggle with all the resources of the police department on the side of the sadistic detective, the two men meet.
155 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1951
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15 people want to read
About the author
Harry Whittington
180 books42 followersHe also wrote under the names Ashley Carter, Harriet Kathryn Myers, and Blaine Stevens, Curt Colman, John Dexter, Tabor Evans, Whit Harrison, Kel Holland, Suzanne Stephens, Clay Stuart, Hondo Wells, Harry White, Hallam Whitney, Henri Whittier, J.X. Williams.
Harry Whittington (February 4, 1915–June 11, 1989) was an American mystery novelist and one of the original founders of the paperback novel. Born in Ocala, Florida, he worked in government jobs before becoming a writer.
His reputation as a prolific writer of pulp fiction novels is supported by his writing of 85 novels in a span of twelve years (as many as seven in a single month) mostly in the crime, suspense, and noir fiction genres. In total, he published over 200 novels. Seven of his writings were produced for the screen, including the television series Lawman. His reputation for being known as 'The King of the Pulps' is shared with author H. Bedford-Jones. Only a handful of Whittington's novels are in print today.
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Harry Whittington (February 4, 1915–June 11, 1989) was an American mystery novelist and one of the original founders of the paperback novel. Born in Ocala, Florida, he worked in government jobs before becoming a writer.
His reputation as a prolific writer of pulp fiction novels is supported by his writing of 85 novels in a span of twelve years (as many as seven in a single month) mostly in the crime, suspense, and noir fiction genres. In total, he published over 200 novels. Seven of his writings were produced for the screen, including the television series Lawman. His reputation for being known as 'The King of the Pulps' is shared with author H. Bedford-Jones. Only a handful of Whittington's novels are in print today.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 3, 2020
The theme of this novel is an ordinary guy who suddenly finds himself running away from a brutal murder and quickly has the police on his heels. He's not sure what he did or why and the mystery about him and his motives deepens. Whittington is such a terrific writer that he really makes this story come alive and makes it one of those hard to put down books.
Seeing things from Sam's point of view worked well and served to keep the mystery alive till the end. The introduction of Manton the take-no-prisoners overbearing detective who specialized in police brutality was a little bit overdone and that part of the story could have used some toning down.
The few minor typos did not detract from the story at all. This one may not be Whittington's pulpiest best but it's definitely worth reading.
Seeing things from Sam's point of view worked well and served to keep the mystery alive till the end. The introduction of Manton the take-no-prisoners overbearing detective who specialized in police brutality was a little bit overdone and that part of the story could have used some toning down.
The few minor typos did not detract from the story at all. This one may not be Whittington's pulpiest best but it's definitely worth reading.
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June 7, 2021Harry Whittington is wonderful, but I'm not in the mood for this saga of 1950s psychology contrasted with a tale of a bad cop. Maybe someday?
September 28, 2021
Murder + Amnesia + A Bad Cop = A Wild Ride
Published in 1951, Call Me Killer is a typical fast-paced, hard-boiled Harry Whittington crime thriller. The prose bounces between raw and flowery, the characters are desperate, and the plot moves at a mile a minute. The two main characters are an amnesiac who my have committed murder and a cop who's willing to break the rules (and bones, if necessary) to track him down. There's a lot of corruption, a little sex, and enough cynicism about how the world works to make a nun turn in her wimple. It's also a bit of a window on how the police worked before we had Miranda (at least in paperback novels). A fast, exciting read for anyone in the mood to be entertained.
Published in 1951, Call Me Killer is a typical fast-paced, hard-boiled Harry Whittington crime thriller. The prose bounces between raw and flowery, the characters are desperate, and the plot moves at a mile a minute. The two main characters are an amnesiac who my have committed murder and a cop who's willing to break the rules (and bones, if necessary) to track him down. There's a lot of corruption, a little sex, and enough cynicism about how the world works to make a nun turn in her wimple. It's also a bit of a window on how the police worked before we had Miranda (at least in paperback novels). A fast, exciting read for anyone in the mood to be entertained.
November 25, 2023
Clunky bit by Wittington. I get the impression this tale was far longer and edited to leave gaping holes in the story. This is not typical Whittington. Of course, deadlines might have also caused this.
The characters are more sketchy and stereotypical than Whittington had created in other books I've read of his. Some pivot wildly in how portrayed.
The main character is the messiest of all. He doesn't know who he is, thinks he's killed someone and just accepts whatever comes at him, seemingly not wondering or asking more of who he is.
The story is good, just assembled poorly.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 4 out of ten points.
The characters are more sketchy and stereotypical than Whittington had created in other books I've read of his. Some pivot wildly in how portrayed.
The main character is the messiest of all. He doesn't know who he is, thinks he's killed someone and just accepts whatever comes at him, seemingly not wondering or asking more of who he is.
The story is good, just assembled poorly.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 4 out of ten points.
August 1, 2014
Amnesia Noir meets Noir Cop. Our amnesiac, of course, cannot remember whether he actually killed that guy, while our Noir Cop clings to his Noir Ways in the face of encroaching forensics. The plot machinations are a bit much to swallow, but you can go only so far wrong when Amnesia Noir meets Noir Cop.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews