The Snarl of the Beast: Race Williams #17 (Black Mask)

De: Carroll John Daly

Narrado por: Finn J.D. John

Who is the criminal known only as "The Beast?" Too baffling for the police to solve, it becomes a manhunt in which detective Race Williams must track down "the most feared, the cunningest and cruelest creature that stalks the city streets at night."

But it will soon become Race's most dangerous case as he tries to stay alive. One of the longest and best of the dozens of Race Williams adventures.

Story 17 in the Race Williams series.

Carroll John Daly (1889 - 1958) was the creator of the first hard-boiled private eye story, predating Dashiell Hammett's first Continental Op story by several months. Daly's classic character, Race Williams, was one of the most popular fiction characters of the pulps, and the direct inspiration for Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer.

This Black Mask Classic Edition was produced by Pulp-Lit Productions Studios for Steeger Properties LLC, agent for the estate of Carroll John Daly.

©1927 Carroll John Daly (P)2017 Steeger Properties LLC

Gritty detective novel.

Here we have volume 17 of a long series named Race Williams. Our protagonist Race Williams is a savvy, slippery private detective in New York City circa 1930. There is a sub-plot involving a sister, brother, and a will, but the main focus is on the capture of a large, cunning, murdering criminal known as “The Beast”. This tale is billed as “one of the longest and best of the Race Williams adventures” and is considered by some as the first of the pulp fiction detectives. Pay attention to the dialogue, it takes you back. The writing is very good and the story keeps you interested once you get used to the narration. I am not a fan of this type of story-telling, it reminds me of the old radio mysteries; everything told from first person perspective. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Race Williams vs. the Beast

I have enjoyed the genre of the hard-boiled detective story for many years, but had never heard of the Race Williams books or the author, Carroll John Daly. This book provides everything that a fan of these types of stories is looking for: tough PI, a couple of beautiful women, some villains and police who don't have a clue!

The story was full of twists, lots of action and a lot of memorable characters. The narrator did a great job and added a lot to the book.

I received a copy of this audiobook from the narrator or publisher through Audiobook Boom and chose to review it.