The setup for this one is really cool. A letter is delivered to
Private Eye Dan Turner containing $500 cash and some very specific
instructions. The client is about to kill himself, and he wants Turner
to come to the suicide scene, take the gun and stash it - creating the
misimpression that the death was a murder. This will allow the client’s
widow to enjoy a double-indemnity clause in the insurance policy, whereas
a suicide would pay out nothing.
The scheming suicider is a famous director who had fallen out of
favor with the industry and hit the skids. On his way to the bottom, the
director married a gold-digging bitch who stands to benefit from his
double-indemnity scam. Can Turner get to him before he offs himself? Is
there money to be made here without getting sideways with an insurance
company?
Turner immediately learns that this unusual client is in serious
debt to a gambling racketeer named Benny the Greaseball (subtle touch,
Mr. Bellem). The mystery unfolds delightfully from there with plenty of
hardboiled patter and outstanding fight scenes.
These Dan Turner stories are cheap and plentiful — they are also a
ton of fun to read. “Death Ends the Scene” is no exception. This novella
is such a compelling joy. It’s literary candy, but you won’t regret the
couple hours you spend devouring this story.
Buy your illustrated copy of the book, which includes this story, HERE.
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