Lionel White (1905–1985) leveraged his real-world experiences as a police reporter and true crime magazine editor when he turned to writing crime fiction. This novel was originally released as Seven Hungry Men in 1952 by Rainbow Books. White reworked things for its 1959 edition as Run, Killer, Run for Avon. Both titles are appropriate. Indeed, the caper masterminded by crime financier Mordecai Borgman, assembles seven hungry men to pull an armored car robbery, led by Rand Coleman, whom Borgman helped finagle for an early release. Coleman ain’t swayed by the favor, but when Borgman presents his latest venture along with Coleman’s cut, the ex-con agrees to lead the misfit crew onto easy street.

A couple of guys Coleman picks himself. He knows they’ll do what he says and do it well. The rest of the gang are less than optimal, but he’s forced to accept them because the clock is ticking. His doubts are confirmed and re-confirmed as the robbery unfurls and bodies fold. Coleman ain’t the one who did the killing, but with his record and the heat the hijack triggers, the revised title fits like a tight angora on a stacked twenty-something personal assistant. And that’s an apt description of Pam, Borgman’s new squeeze who likes life on the edge and loves complicating every situation she thrusts herself into.

The action and errs never stop as Coleman and his dubious partners in crime bolt from one bare escape to the next. The novel would make a terrific crime film, and in fact, Kubrick’s The Killing was adapted by White’s Clean Break, written in 1955.

Kudos to Stark House for bringing back the mystery via their Black Gat Books imprint!