This is the second novel by Harold R. Daniels, after his Edgar-nominated first novel, In His Blood (1955). The Black Gat reprint includes an introduction by George Kelley, slightly updated from its original appearance in The Mystery Fancier (Jul/Aug 1979). Kelley presents a succinct synopsis of each of Daniels’ crime books along with commentary on the writer’s growth.
The novel follows Georgia Sheriff Ed Masters’ investigation into the death of a Jane Doe discovered nearly naked in a remote area. The striking girl of the cover never appears alive in the story. Daniels delivers an engaging murder mystery, with tight plotting, believable characters, and solid writing. If there is any fault in the novel, it’s Daniels’ fastidious attention to detail. It’s all well done, but he could’ve left out some of the procedure and allowed the story to move at a slightly faster pace. Fortunately, the book overcomes this minor flaw with its numerous strengths and I hope Stark House/Black Gat will see fit to revisit the author’s other novels.
Sheriff Masters is the senior lawman you expect him to be—experienced, smart, and savvy, but what sets him apart from the pack is his ability to see the person he’s with. He adjusts his interviews/interactions based on the person he’s questioning. This nuance gives the character real depth.
Fans of classic crime fiction and paperback collectors will not want to miss Black Gat 40: The Girl in 304. Available for pre-order now.
Comments are closed.