The Black Path of Fear

This book is one of Woolrich's famous "Black" series (possibly the series which helped to coin the term "noir").A young man runs away with a gangster's wife to Cuba. When they are barely off the boat, the ganster has his wife murdered, and now the young man is left framed for the murder in a country where he has no friends and doesn't speak the language. This story is his struggle to clear himself while staying out of the hands of the authorities, find the real killer(s), and exact revenge.While it starts out as a very promising noir thriller, Woolrich's pulp magazine writing roots show through, and the action turns into a "fast-action whiz-bang", with the story-line moving at breakneck speed through opium dens, Cuba, and the United States. Fortunately, Woolrich was very good at writing whiz-bangs, and much noir remains in the story. It is a shame, though, that the story has an almost schizophrenic nature.It's an enjoyable stor! ! y, but not one of Woolrich's best. By all means read it, but try to find some of his better "black" novels, such as "Rendezvous in Black", or his William Irish novels, such as "Phantom Lady", too.