9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Classic Noir Goes to the Carnival, February 15, 2001
This review is from: Carny Kill (Paperback)
A wonderful dip into the world of classic pulp noir. The hero is, of course, a wise-cracking, smart guy who strays into trouble not of his own making that involves a traveling carnival, a sexy woman, an ex-wife and murder. And crocodiles. And a midget. Tarzan's tree house. Rubes and Carnies. Cops and Bad Guys. This is a definite must-read for both Raymond Chandler and Mickey Spillane lovers. Alter has all the swing and poetry of the classic mystery noir thrillers and he reels it off like one of his own carnival barkers selling the bearded lady show. Buy the ticket: The ride's worth it.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Lost Classic, June 6, 2009
This review is from: Carny Kill (Paperback)
All too often, a talented writer never finds a large audience and his or her memory quickly fades from the public's consciousness. Robert Edmond Alter, who wrote two wonderful mystery novels (Carny Kill and Swamp Sister) is one such writer. Mystery fans should seek out Alter's novels.
Carny Kill (published in 1966) concerns a murder at a seedy imitation of Disney World (named Neverland) along the Florida coast. (Of course, there is much unintended irony here in that Disney now runs a theme park in Florida). Alter is a master at creating a vivid setting for his readers. Consider the book's opening lines: "It was one of those tourist traps that have turned the coast of Florida into a glittering façade. They hide the naked sights of the hundreds of thousands of voracious cash registers behind the tinsel. That way the innocent tourists won't be stampeded into running for cover in fear for their wallets" (p. 3).
Alter also has a flare for creating interesting characters. The deeply-cynical carnies who work at Neverland regard all of the customers as "marks." Among the carnies are knife throwers, midgets, strippers, pirates, and many broken-down alcoholics. Alter's characters resemble Elmore Leonard's characters in that they are "street smart" and engaging, but often not "book smart."
There are many other positives aspects of Carny Kill. The latter part of the novel has some great action scenes. Sex is a strong theme in the book and Alter generally handles the subject well. There is even a bit of philosophy in the dialogue. For instance, one character tells another "We see the goal and we want it and we scratch and claw our way up to it. Once we get there we can't let go. We can't ever again go back to the bottom rung" (p. 109).
The only criticism I have of Carny Kill is that Alter does throw in the occasional lame or tasteless line. For instance: "The governor on the boat must have been as tight as a virgin's something or other" (p. 24).
Unfortunately, Alter died at age 40 and completed only a few mysteries. He should not be forgotten. Carny Kill is a great, quick read (146 pages). Mystery fans will not want to miss it.
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