Waltz into Darkness
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- $9.99
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- $9.99
Publisher Description
A dark tale of the destructive power of love and obsession from 'The supreme master of suspense' NEW YORK TIMES
'The father of the modern suspense story' LA TIMES
When Louis Durand first meets his bride-to-be after a months-long courtship by mail, he's shocked that she doesn't match the photographs sent with her correspondence. But Durand has not exactly been truthful, either, concealing the details of his wealth. Mostly, he feels fortunate she is so much more beautiful than he expected.
Soon after they marry, however, he becomes increasingly convinced that the woman in his life is not the same woman with whom he exchanged letters - and then she suddenly disappears with his fortune.
Alone and desperate, Louis becomes obsessed with finding Julia and bringing her to justice - but it is only when he finally tracks her down that the nightmare truly begins...
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this unrelentingly grim noir from Woolrich (1903 1968), first published in 1947 and set in 1880 New Orleans, Louis Durand, the owner of a prosperous coffee-import business, is looking forward to meeting the woman he's romanced via correspondence, who he hopes will offer him a chance for a happiness years after losing his first love to yellow fever. The Julia Russell who shows up at the dock doesn't match the photo he was sent, but he accepts her explanation that she didn't want him to be interested in her solely for her looks. The two wed, and gradually it becomes clear that Julia has withheld more significant secrets, which end up leading to murder. The significance of Billy, a "character that does not appear in the story" (mentioned in an opening list of characters), becomes chillingly clear by the end. This haunting downer is an excellent addition to the American Mystery Classics series.
