Customer Reviews

You'll Die Next!

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You'll Die Next by Harry Whittington is a pulp fiction treasure. The nonstop action makes it impossible to put down while, at the same time, the ever increasing desperation of the protagonist contributes to a pervasive sense of dread. The resultant effect on the reader is that the irresistable need to turn the page is accompanied by a very real sense of fear about what the next page might contain. The fact that Whittington is able to sustain such a high degree of tension chapter after chapter is quite remarkable. That he does it using an unpretentious and amazingly economical brand of prose is no less than startling.
If you'd like to experience a literary roller coaster ride, read You'll Die Next. Highly recommended.

A few generations ago, Harry Whittington was one of the biggest thriller writers alive. He wrote over a hundred novels, most of them being dime store paperbacks. Many of his pulp novels had a noir feel to them, and his lean, fast-paced style doubtlessly influenced many future writers.

Most of his books are currently out of print, and are difficult to find in chain bookstores or libraries. But Whittington's novels are still worth reading today.

YOU'LL DIE NEXT is a well written novel that is an easy read. Like any novel written in the early 1950s, its pretty dated. This book is quite short (around 35,000 words, less than half the size of the average modern thriller) and could literally be read in maybe 90 minutes. It is more like a novellete.

This is a story about mistaken identity, and the action never stops. Whatever you say about Whittington, his books are not boring. The main character is on the run for much of this novel, his life in constant danger. Most of the characterization in this novel is pretty superficial, but the main character is quite likable. I found the story kind of predictable, but it was probably quite cutting edge for its time. I was somewhat disappointed by the cornball ending, however.

I think your average HARD CASE CRIME book is much better than this, but I found the novel a quick and enjoyable read overall.