I read this particular piece of work because I happened to notice that Stephen King, a highly renowned and influential figure in the literary world, had recommended it.

Stephen King's recommendations often carry a lot of weight, as he has a vast and dedicated following. His ability to identify great stories and captivating writing is well-known.

Given his endorsement, I felt compelled to give this a read. And truly, any thoughts I might have about it would seem simply superfluous. The work itself speaks volumes, and it has managed to leave a profound impact on me.

It's as if King's recommendation was a key that unlocked a door to a world of literary excellence. I am grateful to have discovered this work through his guidance.

Now, having experienced it for myself, I understand why he thought so highly of it. It's a testament to the power of good writing and the ability of a story to resonate with readers on a deep level.

I look forward to exploring more works that might have his stamp of approval in the future.

One of the crucial texts within the Thompson canon, and perhaps the book that did the most to earn him the nickname: “Dime-store Dostoyevsky”.

Lou Ford, the deputy sheriff in a small Texas city, appears outwardly pleasant and is respected by his neighbours. However, he conceals a sickness within him that compels him to kill women (and then anyone who gets in his way).

Both misogynistic and misanthropic, this is by no means an easy read. Nevertheless, it is impossible to deny the quality of the writing and how astonishingly convincing the central character is.

A comparison can be drawn with Patrick Hamilton’s ‘Hangover Square’ – written eleven years earlier on the other side of the Atlantic – which also focuses on a schizophrenic central character with the urge to kill a woman.

Both are outstanding novels. While Hamilton leans more towards melodrama and English understatement (and indeed manages to incorporate humour), Thompson’s vision is intense and unrelenting, making the whole experience far more discomforting.

Thompson’s work delves deep into the dark recesses of the human psyche, presenting a disturbing and unforgettable portrait of a man consumed by his inner demons.

The vivid descriptions and the complex character development make this book a must-read for those who appreciate gritty and psychological thrillers.

It challenges the reader’s perceptions and forces them to confront the ugliest aspects of human nature.

Overall, it is a powerful and thought-provoking piece of literature that leaves a lasting impression.

4.5 stars.

Imagine a scenario where Mayberry's beloved Sheriff Andy Taylor is, in reality, a serial killer. That gives you a good sense of what you're in for with this novel.

This one poses a challenge for me to rate. Judging solely by my feelings while reading, I'd say it's a solid 4. I truly enjoyed it. However, I did notice that it started to slow down just a little bit near the end. That said, the ending itself was fantastic. I have to award it extra points because Thompson's writing craft is simply incredible. He flawlessly nails the "murder mystery from the murderer's point of view" narrative. Moreover, as the story unfolds and the main character's mind begins to deteriorate, you can actually sense this breakdown occurring. You're literally following the main character into the abyss of madness.

As far as I can recall, this is my first Jim Thompson novel. Based on the power of this single book, I went ahead and purchased a number of his other novels. Anyone who has a penchant for American Psycho or noir should most definitely pick up this book. It's a captivating read that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

I completed this task a few days ago and had to collect my thoughts. It's an excellent read and would have been highly controversial, I'm certain, when it was written.

Our protagonist, a police officer, is such a kind-hearted man, always calm and helpful, and beloved by everyone. However, within him lies a sickness that yearns to be set free. Only his deceased father knew the truth about this aspect of his personality, and over the years, he has become a master at concealing this disease. But now, it has all become too much, and it needs to surface.

This story contains some violent killings, especially for 50s audiences. However, the way it's written in the first person is perfect for the narrative being told. We gain such profound insights into his demented mind and how he manipulates those around him.

To be honest, I was a little perplexed by the entire conclusion. I believe this will be a book that improves with subsequent readings.

It's a perfect psychological crime story, featuring some sparse yet highly violent scenes that will linger in your mind long after you've finished reading.

"You see why I had to kill her, I reckon. Or do you? It was like this..."

The Killer Inside Me was my very first encounter with a Jim Thompson novel, and I can firmly say that it did not disappoint in the slightest. This is a thrilling suspense novel that revolves around a deputy sheriff in a small town in Texas. Despite its relatively short length, this book offers a warped and intimate first-hand account of what it feels like to be trapped within a psychologically disturbed mind. Lou Ford, the narrator, is an incredibly interesting character, and Thompson's masterful writing skillfully builds tension with each passing page. It creates a sense of urgency that makes you feel as if you simply have to keep reading, unable to put the book down. I am now eagerly looking forward to delving into more of Jim Thompson's works, especially if the rest of his novels are written with the same level of excellence. This book is truly a great read, especially during the month of October when the atmosphere of mystery and suspense is in the air.

Brutal.

Everything about this book is brutally honest and unflinching. Thompson has a unique way of cleaving language, crafting harsh and terse sentences that leave absolutely no room for sentimentality. He portrays a thoughtful man who is constantly plagued by his inner demons. This man loves to let those demons loose, yet at the same time, he muses on the very reasons why he is the way he is.

The psychology behind the character is truly incredible. It delves far more in depth than what the deceptively simple style of writing might initially suggest. As you read, you come away horrified at Lou's actions, and yet, there is an odd sense of empathy that creeps in too. You don't condone what he does, but Thompson does such a fantastic job of putting you right inside his mind. He gives you just enough to make you like "old, dumb lovable Lou," and before you know it, you feel a connection to him, whether you want to or not.

This book is just an amazing read that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

While reading the book, the files in the psychiatrist's office passed before my eyes.

It is a perfectly clean psychological thriller book and also extremely sad in a way that I can't describe. The description of the uncontrollable urge to commit crimes comes directly from the protagonist himself.

"Harmful weeds are plants that grow in unwanted places. If I find a dandelion in a cornfield, it is a harmful weed. But if I find it in my garden, it is a flower." This quote seems to imply that the perception of right and wrong can be relative, depending on the context. The story likely delves deeper into the complex psyche of the character, exploring the reasons behind his criminal tendencies and the internal struggle he faces.

As I continue to read, I am drawn into this world of psychological turmoil, eager to discover how the story will unfold and what the ultimate fate of the protagonist will be.

Twenty-nine-year-old Lou Ford is a Deputy Sheriff hailing from the West Texas town of Central City. He is in a long-term relationship with his childhood sweetheart, Amy Stanton. To the community, Lou appears as a hard-working, trustworthy, and simple character with a penchant for clichés. However, the truth is far more sinister. In reality, Lou is a sociopath concealing a dark secret since childhood.

The story delves into the life of the highly intelligent, manipulative, and cold-blooded psychopathic killer, Lou. Narrated from the first-person perspective, the book offers a chilling yet captivating look into the mind of a psychopath. His is a deranged and deeply disturbed mind, capable of meticulous and deviant planning. He is acutely aware of his sociopathic nature and sadomasochistic tendencies, yet at times, he makes pithy and even humorous observations about others.

The author engages and disturbs the reader through the use of realistic, simple prose, a raw writing style, and an engaging plot. Thompson, widely regarded as a master of suspense, expertly heightens the tension with a fast-paced plot, providing just enough detail for context. Unabashed in its bleakness, pessimism, and ruthlessness, "The Killer Inside Me" is a thought-provoking and suspenseful book that has risen above pulp fiction to earn acclaim as a significant literary work.

This book was recommended to me by someone who worked in the publishing industry. What's more, they liked my book, so I was pretty sure they had excellent taste. I bought it almost immediately and was excited to give it a try.

That was almost exactly nine years ago. (This might give you a dim glimmer as to what my to-read shelf is like.)

A couple days ago, I was in-between books and looking over my shelves for something I could read before going to bed. I didn't want to start up another Pratchett novel because I was hoping to go to bed early. And starting a book that I love is going to cost me sleep.

So I pulled this off the shelf instead. Big mistake.

Six hours later I finished it, and I've been dealing with the after-effects of too little sleep ever since.

I'm not going to describe the book to you. It's something you really need to experience on your own. But I will say this.

It was written in 1952. And I found myself thinking, "Wow. I didn't know folks were writing dark shit like this back then." Then I realized what a dumb thought that was.

I think its genre is "Crime Fiction" but again, that was fifty years ago. I don't know where it would be placed these days. Psychological thriller?

It's one of the best uses of first-person narration I've ever seen.

I found it incredibly emotionally engaging. Even slightly distressing. But at no point was it gruesome or gratuitous.

If you enjoy shows like Dexter, I'd say this book should be an absolute read for you. But honestly, I'd recommend this to anyone who appreciates good writing.

Dealbreakers: If you've got an issue with violence, this isn't the book for you.

But again, I'd like to stress that there isn't a lot of it in here. Game of Thrones has vastly more and it's vastly more graphic. This book just has a bit, but as I've said, it's just… intense, it's not slashery at all.

Really amazingly good book. I'll absolutely be digging up more by this author.

Adelantada a su tiempo.

Genre: Novel.

What it tells us. In the book "The Killer Inside Me" (original publication: 1952), we get to know Lou Ford, the deputy sheriff of Central City, a small oil town in western Texas. The locals consider him a pleasant, calm, educated, and attentive man to the needs of others. However, within him, there is a dangerous fury that struggles to come out. In his youth, it already caused problems that ultimately affected his stepbrother, Mike, who died years later in a strange construction accident of the Conway Construction company. His partner is Joyce Lakeland, a prostitute whom the sheriff ordered to be driven out of the city but with whom he ended up having a passionate and violent relationship. Joyce wants them to leave Central City forever because she has money and can get much more through Elmer Conway, the son of the town's rich man and in love with Joyce.

If you want to know more about this book without spoilers, visit:
http://librosdeolethros.blogspot.com/...

The Killer Inside Me: Jim Thompson's Classic Roman Noir

The concept of monsters is not limited to the physical realm. As John Steinbeck so aptly put it, there can be mental or psychic monsters as well. These are people whose faces and bodies may be perfect, but they lack something fundamental - conscience. They are the ones who walk among us, looking and acting just like the rest of us, but with a twisted soul.

Take Jim Thompson's protagonist, Lou Ford, for example. He's a deputy sheriff, respected by his colleagues and seemingly a pillar of the community. But when the "sickness" comes over him, he becomes a cold-blooded killer. He knows the difference between right and wrong, but he simply doesn't care. He is a master at covering his tracks and creating alibis, and he shows no remorse for his actions.

Thompson's portrayal of Lou Ford is both chilling and accurate. He delves deep into the mind of a killer, exploring the psychology behind his actions. And while some may argue that Lou Ford is criminally insane, Thompson makes it clear that he is not. He is a calculating and rational individual, albeit one with a severely warped moral compass.

The novel also touches on other interesting themes, such as the development of sexuality and the role of the family in shaping a person's character. We learn about Lou's past experiences with women and how they may have contributed to his current state of mind. And we see how his father, a doctor, tried to keep his son's aberrations under wraps, perhaps inadvertently enabling his behavior.

Overall, The Killer Inside Me is a powerful and disturbing novel that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it. It's a reminder that there are truly monsters in this world, and sometimes they can look just like us. So the next time you meet someone, be careful. You never know what might be lurking inside.

I had not delved into any of Jim Thompson's works prior to this, despite being aware of his reputation as a dark and grisly noir novelist from the mid-twentieth century. I had seen "The Grifters" and loved it, but had never read the book on which it was based (though I now will!). Recently, I read a comics adaptation of "The Killer Inside" and liked it, which led me to commit to reading the original, and I truly did basically love it.

Well, perhaps "love" is a simplistic assessment of my experience with a serial killer's first-person account. It reminds me a bit of "Lolita" or Satan in Milton's "Paradise Lost." In all three of these works, there are elegantly written depictions of articulate monsters who convince many others (including many readers!) that they are charming and admirable in many ways.

"The Killer Inside Me" is the story of Lou Ford, a small-town deputy sheriff in Central City who appears to be straight-laced and unremarkable on the surface. He has girlfriends, friends, and does good and responsible work, but he allows no one to get close. Lou grew up with a secret: he has a sickness that he wants to control. He's articulate, well-read, but also a sociopath who has killed many people, and no one suspects a thing about him. So, can he cure his own sickness? The path he takes to mental health, let's just say he may have benefited from some professional help rather than just going the self-help route. Mistakes were definitely made along that road.

The book has some terrific writing and is deservedly a classic of the genre. However, there are some disturbing revelations in this book, which he details even as he talks about the weather and so on in a very calm fashion. He seems unaffected by what he does. For example, he seems to care very much for a young man, Johnnie; Lou listens to him, counsels him, but is ultimately willing to throw him under the bus (not literally, but you get the point).

The narrator himself speculates about what makes him tick, and we are naturally curious. Why does he do it? Is it the result of an early shock? Is it because his mother died when he was young? Or the loss of his step-brother from murder? Lou's Dad had many books on religion and psychology around the house, and Lou read many of them. The presumption is that moral and psychological explanations were sought once Dad decided Lou had a "problem," but nowhere in this book is a satisfactory explanation given for Lou's horrific behavior. He has almost no real insight into himself, which is one really chilling thing about him. At one point, Lou says, "There are things that have to be forgotten if you want to go on living," but he only hints at what needs to be forgotten. He does terrible things and seems to forget them right away!

There's a fascinating exchange between Lou and his pragmatic lawyer about whether anyone can accurately be identified as evil. The lawyer says, "The name you give a thing depends on where you are standing. A weed is just a plant out of place." This kind of relativistic thinking is twisted by both of them to their own advantage.

At one point, the oblivious monster Lou philosophizes to the young Johnnie: "Yeah, Johnnie," I said, "it’s a screwed up, bitched up world, and I’m afraid it’s going to stay that way. And I’ll tell you why. Because no one, almost no one, sees anything wrong with it. They can’t see that things are screwed up, so they’re not worried about it. We're living in a funny world, kid, a peculiar civilization. The police are playing crooks in it, and the crooks are doing police duty. The politicians are preachers, and the preachers are politicians. The tax collectors collect for themselves. The Bad People want us to have more dough, and the good people are fighting to keep it from us. It's not good for us, know what I mean?"

You might wonder why a killer would write his own morbid story. So, periodically, he talks about the process of writing his (fictional) "memoir." For instance: "In lots of books I read, the writer seems to go haywire every time he reaches a high point. He’ll start leaving out punctuation and running his words together and babble about stars flashing and sinking into a deep dreamless sea. And you can’t figure out whether the hero’s laying his girl or a cornerstone. I guess that kind of crap is supposed to be pretty deep stuff—a lot of the book reviewers eat it up, I notice. But the way I see it is, the writer is just too goddam lazy to do his job. And I’m not lazy, whatever else I am. I’ll tell you everything."

Oh, and he does, I warn you. I do highly recommend it, but it's disturbing in places while also being very well-written. It's a classic, surely, one of the top ten noir classics ever.