Customer Reviews

Hell Is Too Crowded

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Engineer Matt Brady went through hardship to take on a construction project in the Middle East just to earn money needed to be with his German girlfriend. It was understandable that he would be half-dazed on the Thames Embankment at night when he finished his work and returned to find his girlfriend gone with all his hard earned money. What was not understandable was he being charged with murder of a girl he just met briefly at the Embankment, escorted home and got knocked out after a drink. His only clue was a face he saw vaguely.

Sentenced to life imprisonment, Matt Brady knew he was set up and planned to escape. Serendipitously, he did not manage to escape before another prisoner was hired to kill him, thus giving him the first real solid lead when Matt persuaded the would-be killer that confession was healthy for the soul, and his body.

After a clever but risky escape, Matt went on to track down the people who wanted him dead, presumably the same who framed him for murder. From one sex joint to another, Matt applied the only persuasion he had on the leads he tracked down, the fact that he had nothing to lose.

Though similar to The Fugitive, Higgins' novel focused more on the action of Matt Brady risking his life, foolishly walking into traps and coming out alive through sheer bravado.

This was a fairly short story, straight forward with little complications. The only hitch was when Matt discovered the truth and realised that there may be no way he could ever clear himself legally - what was a man to do in such circumstances?

This short, fast paced paperback starts off with its protagonist American Matt Brady being framed for the brutal murder of a London call girl. He's sentenced to life imprisonment but manages to bust out of his maximum security prison without much difficulty. Following that he has a series of encounters with a number of sleazy denizens of England's criminal netherworld....culminating in a confrontation between Brady and the true murderer.
This book is action-packed but completely lacking in any semblance of realism. Escapist fare pure and simple.

Early Higgins (1962) that starts off strong but quickly fizzles. The protagonist
is framed for murder. Most of the story involves the protagonist searching
for particular individuals and forcing them to reveal information. This happens
several times throughout the book and feels repetitive. Quick moving story but it
is very hard to believe and not particularly engaging.