Murder at the Bijou

By: Jim Thompson

Narrated by: Mike Dennis

Murder at the Bijou (originally titled Nothing More Than Murder) is noir master Jim Thompson's dizzying tale of deception, adultery, revenge, arson, and cold-blooded murder in Smalltown, U.S.A., Thompson's favorite setting. In this novel, Thompson's first major success as a pulp fiction writer, Joe Wilmot, trying to go straight after a stretch in the pen, finds a movie house in a small crossroads that can use a helping hand and someone with half a brain for business. The theater's owner, Elizabeth, isn't the smartest operator around - or is she? Joe and the plain Jane Elizabeth decide maybe it would be better for business if they got married. Why not? And then Carol shows up, a bit stale in the eye candy department but ready and willing to serve - in every way.

They've got insurance coverage on the movie house; their lives would all be better if the place maybe had an accident, a little fire. But things can go very wrong. And in Murder at the Bijou they do.

Fans of Jim Thompson will recognize the terse dialogue, plot twists and double-crosses, and a belief that nothing in the world is good, all of which makes Stephen King say that Jim Thompson is "My favorite crime novelist - often imitated but never duplicated."

©2015 The Devault-Graves Agency (P)2015 The Devault-Graves Agency

Hysterican twist and turns noir mystery!

What made the experience of listening to Murder at the Bijou the most enjoyable?

Murder at the Bijou is a story based in the 40's, where Joe Wilmot runs a cheap yet popular movie show in his small town. Since a noir novel always involves villians and damsels in distress, Joe has a lover in addiition to his homely wife as well as a millionaire competitor angling for his share of the theatre business. Hilarity ensues when there is murder, bribery, and double cross left and right.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Surprise ending! Thought I had it in the bag when in reality no one could have predicted this ending.

Have you listened to any of Mike Dennis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have listened to and will continue to listen to Mike Dennis' performances. He has a perfect voice for noir.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I laughed through the entire book--it was so visual for me. I pictured black and white characters in hats and rain coats and 40's era swing skirt dresses and pumps.

The start of a legend career

Where does Murder at the Bijou rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Jim Thompson is a legend and this is a great beginning this is high on my list

What did you like best about this story?

The whole look into running a movie house in the early years when a theater was the biggest thing in a town

Which scene was your favorite?

The whole twist at the end

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The dark fall the main character takes it's a slow decent but it's a fun ride

Any additional comments?

Listen to how it all started from one of the masters of dark voice and evil humans well worth to have in your library.

Murder At The Bijou

Where does Murder at the Bijou rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Only heard 2, this was 2nd best to The Killing

What did you like best about this story?

excellent characters and very suspenseful

Have you listened to any of Mike Dennis’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Listened to 1 other and both had excellent narration.

Sorry, but I just couldn't get into it.

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Better narration, a bit more excitement during the story.

What was most disappointing about Jim Thompson’s story?

It was boring. A story that should have been very exciting was just flat and long drawn out.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

It was a murder mystery so I had to listen all the way through to find out the truth. But it was very difficult.