Oh, my. This was a vacation into the world of pastime fiction, specifically the tough-guy detective sub-genre. It has all the elements one would expect. There's the grin he gives when someone tells him that doing X is impossible, right out of Conan the Cimmerian's stylebook. He likes to carry two 44s and shows nonchalance about having to kill some bad guy. The female characters, just like in the Bond movies, are all over him, from the innocent little thing to the ones with several levels of BAD. And then there are the racist stereotypes. Written in the '30s, it uses not-so-well-disguised Japanese as the bad guys. The first-person narrator carefully calls them vaguely Eastern or "Eurasian" at times, but also likes to describe them as yellow, with a sickening yellow tone and evilly slant-eyed. It's almost as if they're setting up a movie with Bogart or Robert Mitchum, but we just need to clean up the references to the sneaky and utterly evil Japs. Raymond Chandler wasn't above this attitude either. I took a detour into his work a few years back. One of the movies Mitchum made had a great scene of a shootup in a black bar by the cops, but left out that the narrator was referring to it as "a dinge joint" in the text. Of course, he wasn't afraid of any "dinges." I bet you never heard that word before.

OK, vacation over. No more bimbos on the beach and strong drink at the bar. But if you want to study this genre, here's some of its early generation. It's a fascinating look into the past, with all its flaws and allure.

This is, without a doubt, not a great book from a literary perspective.

However, when considered from a writer's point of view, it is an excellent reference.

Time and again, the author places the protagonist in a perilous situation where death seems inevitable, only to rescue him at the eleventh hour. This is truly an art.

Moreover, there is a dinner party scene that is堪称经典.

The book was published in 1935 and will remain on my reference shelf.

It serves as a valuable resource for writers, offering insights into creating tension and suspense, as well as crafting memorable scenes.

Despite its shortcomings in terms of pure literary merit, it has much to offer in terms of its narrative techniques and storytelling devices.

Overall, it is a book that I would recommend to any aspiring writer looking to improve their craft.

I was a bit disappointed in this book.

While the novels of Dashiell Hammett, Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane still hold up, not so with Daly. His plot twists, which might have seemed innovative in his time, now appear rather hackneyed when examined from a modern perspective.

The characters he creates lack the depth and complexity that we have come to expect from contemporary literature. They seem one-dimensional and fail to engage the reader on a deeper level.

Even his writing style feels outdated. The prose is often simplistic and lacks the elegance and sophistication of his more renowned contemporaries.

However, if you are interested in seeing the evolution of the hard-nosed detective genre, this book can be an interesting read. It provides a glimpse into the early days of the genre and shows how it has developed over time.

But on its own, without the context of its historical significance, I really wouldn't recommend it. There are far better examples of the hard-nosed detective genre available that offer more engaging plots, well-developed characters, and superior writing.

Like a comic strip with just words,

this entry level Hard Boiled novel is truly remarkable.

It almost single-handedly defines the genre,

introducing readers to the gritty, tough world of Hard Boiled fiction.

The story is filled with vivid characters,

intense action, and a sense of danger that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Despite being an entry level novel,

it doesn't hold back on the complexity and depth of its themes.

It explores the darker side of human nature,

the corruption and violence that lurk beneath the surface of society.

Overall, this novel is well worth reading.

Whether you're a fan of the Hard Boiled genre or just looking for a thrilling and engaging read,

this book is sure to satisfy.