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In a Lonely Place

By Dorothy B. Hughes
Penguin Classics
Series: Penguin Modern Classics – Crime & Espionage
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes is a gripping crime thriller that delves into the mind of an ex-World War II fighter pilot named Dix Steele, who immerses himself in the dark underbelly of Los Angeles. As he befriends an old war buddy and his wife, tension mounts with a string of murders targeting women. The novel explores themes of identity and isolation, offering a chilling yet compelling psychological portrait.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this compelling read if you're drawn to atmospheric noir novels that explore the dark psychological depths of crime and suspense. With a gripping storyline centred on a complex protagonist, this book immerses you in post-war Los Angeles, revealing the sinister layers of human nature and the shadowy corners of the city. Fans of meticulously plotted thrillers with rich character development will find this a captivating choice.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A chilling, stylish piece of LA noir

After the war, cynical veteran Dix Steele has moved to L.A., a city terrified by a strangler preying on young women. Bumping into an old friend, now a detective working on the case, Dix is thrilled by closely following the progress of the police. Meeting his new neighbour, sultry and beautiful actress Laurel Gray, brings even more excitement into his life. But the strangler is still prowling the streets - and Laurel may be in more danger than she realises...

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

In a Lonely Place by Dorothy B. Hughes is lauded for its groundbreaking approach in hard-boiled fiction, particularly for providing a first-person narrative from the perspective of a male serial killer, which was highly innovative in the 1940s. Hughes's work is celebrated for pioneering themes and perspectives that other authors would explore much later.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241639184

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 13 July 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 14.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 184g

Pages: 240

Collections

Classic Crime & Mystery Fiction Classic Fiction Crime & Thriller Dorothy B. Hughes Fiction General Fiction Penguin Books Penguin Classics Penguin Classics: Crime & Thriller Series: Penguin Modern Classics – Crime & Espionage

About the Author

Dorothy B. Hughes was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and lived most of her life in New Mexico. A journalist and a poet, she began publishing hard-boiled crime novels in 1940, several of which were made into successful films, including In a Lonely Place (1950). She was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America.

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