Tue 22 Nov 2016
Reviewed by William F. Deeck: M. E. CHABER – As Old As Cain.
Posted by Steve under Reviews[6] Comments
William F. Deeck
M. E. CHABER – As Old As Cain. Henry Holt, hardcover, 1954. Paperback Library, paperback, 1971. Also reprinted as Take One for Murder: Bestseller #202, digest-sized paperback, 1957.
After a fairly preposterous beginning — the FBI insists that Milo March fly from Denver to New York immediately after his wedding for a reason totally nonsensical — this novel settles down to not a first-class but certainly a high second-class level.
An insurance investigator, March, his marriage unconsummated, is sent to Athens, Ohio, to check out security arrangements for the props to a movie not in much progress, West to the Hocking. It is to be a historical film, dealing primarily with the life of Hiram Hanna, who settled in the Ohio Territory in 1797. The props, many quite valuable monetarily and historically, were in the hands of Hanna’s descendants until they lent them to a museum the motion picture company set up.
In Athens are the female star, not much, the male star, even less, the director, who would like to make a movie without people, the researcher and the screen writer. Only the latter is a suspect among the Hollywood contingent when a man guarding the antiques is killed with a historical poker and the murderer makes off with some of the more valuable items and one of little value.
Imitating a private eye when people insist on it and cracking wise — some of them quite good — March beds down with the female star in a most ungentlemanly fashion and meanwhile pines for his recent bride. Oh yes, he also investigates the murder and the theft, and the reader discovers why his talents are in great demand among insurance companies.
November 22nd, 2016 at 11:40 pm
High second class is a good description of the March novels. Once in a while they even veered over to first class, but they were consistently high second class and at the 60 to 70,000 word range a quick expertly written and plotted ride with March one of the more likable and believable protagonists in the business.
My first Crossen was one of his Kim O’Hara spy novels under his own name, but I recall discovering Chaber at the public library and after the first hauling three or four at a time home.
I was pleased when the series finally got the paperback presence it deserved with the great McGinnis covers making Crossen something more than the Mid Level Library sales author he had become.
March even made it into the movies in what is actually a damn good little film with Jack Palance as Milo.
November 23rd, 2016 at 1:46 am
Yes, those McGinnis covers I am sure helped sell a good many of the Crossen/Chaber paperbacks. For a while they were quite collectible, then the Internet came along and showed everyone how easy to find they were.
The movie you refer to, David, is THE MAN INSIDE. I wrote a long review of it on this blog some eight years ago. Here’s the link: https://mysteryfile.com/blog/?p=691
November 23rd, 2016 at 2:07 am
I remember your review of THE MAN INSIDE, mainly because of the reader who commented that he had seen the movie over 100 times. I’ve seen it once and like another critic, I found it painful to watch. Very dated.
November 23rd, 2016 at 8:34 am
Also published as TAKE ONE FOR MURDER by Lawrence Spivak (Bestseller Mystery series BSM B202). Its cover states “unabridged”. Happy Thanksgiving!
November 23rd, 2016 at 1:04 pm
Walker
I didn’t find the movie terrible, but neither have I found the need to watch it again. Seeing it 100 times? Not me. I think the fellow was watching Anita Ekberg, though, not the film itself. If so, I can’t blame him there.
November 23rd, 2016 at 1:11 pm
Bill,
You’re quite right about the Bestseller edition. I’ve added it to the credits. Thanks!