FORGOTTEN BOOKS #66: HOW LIKE AN ANGEL By Margaret Millar


Most people associate Margaret Millar with her more famous husband, Kenneth Millar (aka, Ross Macdonald). But Margaret Millar was a terrific writer. My favorite novel of her’s is How Like An Angel. Joe Quinn, private eye, has a gambling problem. He’s lost his job, his car, and his girlfriend. On his way back from Reno to California, Quinn meets Sister Blessing, part of a religious cult. Sister Blessing asks Quinn to locate a man who is supposedly dead. How Like An Angel explores communities who have withdrawn from society and the implications of a “counter-culture” movement. If you haven’t read Margaret Millar, you’re missing a great writer.

For other FORGOTTEN BOOKS, click below. I’ll post the SUMMING UP tomorrow. If I’ve inadvertently left you off the list, just send me a comment with your address and I’ll make it right.
Paul Bishop
David Cranmer
Bill Crider
Martin Edwards
Ed Gorman
Randy Johnson
Thomas Kaufman
Evan Lewis
Steve Lewis
Todd Mason
James Reasoner
Richard Robinson
Kerrie Smith

17 thoughts on “FORGOTTEN BOOKS #66: HOW LIKE AN ANGEL By Margaret Millar

  1. Jeff Meyerson

    Excellent choice. A lot of people think Margaret was a better writer than her husband, though comparisons are odorous.

    😉

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Margaret and her husband wrote very different books as you know, Jeff. They were both great in their own ways. And worth reading and rereading.

      Reply
    1. george Post author

      I’ve added Ed Gorman to the links, Patti. Loved IRON GATES. It’s sad that most of Margaret Millar’s books are out-of-print.

      Reply
  2. Frank Loose

    I read this book a couple months ago and liked it a lot. I have read only one other MM book and it was years ago – can’t remember the title. This one felt like she was taking a page from her husband, with the detective story and the back history impacting the present. Quite good, though it was not hard to see the ending coming, and the last chapter was not the “knock-out punch” that the front cover blurb claims. Still, an entertaining read. I can see why she was quite a popular writer in her day.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      Margaret Millar was surprisingly prolific, Frank. She wrote plenty of short stories and more than a few novels. I’ve enjoyed everything I’ve read of her work.

      Reply
  3. Joe Barone

    I’ve added How Like an Angel to my TBR list. I love Ross Macdonald and am looking forward to reading this book too. Thanks.

    Reply
    1. george Post author

      I’m fond of Ross Macdonald’s work, Joe. I didn’t know of his relationship to Margaret Millar for years. Sometimes I’m really oblivious!

      Reply
    1. george Post author

      You may be right about HOW LIKE AN ANGEL being Margaret Millar’s best book, Martin. It’s truly memorable, indeed!

      Reply
    1. george Post author

      According to the biographies of Ross Macdonald I’ve read, Evan, Kenneth Millar and Margaret Millar were involved in each others work.

      Reply

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