I’ve been a Lionel White fan since I first read his work in Gold Medal paperbacks in the 1960s. Stark House has reprinted much of White’s work and I’ve reviewed them on this blog (check the links below).
Stark House’s latest Lionel White omnibus is Invitation to Violence (1958) and A Party to Murder (1966) collects two of Lionel White’s most innovative crime novels. Invitation to Violence puts an insurance adjuster, Gerald Hanna, in a unique situation. An armed man jumps in Hanna’s car and orders him to drive. The man dies from a gunshot wound and Hanna finds a case filled with jewels from a robbery. Does he turn the jewels in…or does he keep it and change his life forever? GRADE: B+
A Party to Murder involves a Christmas Party where one of the attendees is found dead from a gunshot wound after midnight. Who murdered her? Why? All the participants at the party have secrets that they narrate chapter by chapter, taking turns telling their stories. Detective Goodwin knows that everyone attending the party is hiding something and lying to him. But, little by little, the investigation reveals what really happens. GRADE: A-
If you haven’t read Lionel White’s cunning storytelling, Invitation to Violence/A Party to Murder is the perfect place to start.
STARK HOUSE OMNIBUS VOLUMES OF LIONEL WHITE:
Not familiar with his work at all.
Patti, you might remember Stanley Kubrick’s The Killers starring Sterling Haydon. That movie is based on Lionel White’s caper novel, Clean Break.
I was going to mention that. I loved THE KILLING. Marie WIndsor, Elisha Cook Jr., Jay C. Flippen, Colleen Gray, and Vince Edwards were also in it.
Wow, I didn’t realize they had reprinted that many of his books, which have been pretty hard to find at reasonable prices. I’ll have to catch up on the ones I missed.
According to Wikipedia, THE SNATCHERS was filmed as THE NIGHT OF THE FOLLOWING DAY.
Jeff, STARK HOUSE has done a fabulous job reprinting Lionel White’s work! Later this Summer I’m hoping on reviewing one of Lionel White’s more obscure titles: SPYKILL written under the pseudonym “L.W. Blanco.”
There are just too many books read, too many movies to watch and songs to be listened to.
I sometimes get a bit angry that radio stations in Europe always play the same songs by the same artists.
I might have read something by L White in the 60s, on loan from the America House – but there were too many books to remember, unless they were really special.
Wolf, I totally agree with you. Way too many books! That’s why for the past 20 years or so I’ve kept a digital BOOK DIARY listing all the books I’ve read. I started it in Microsoft ACCESS and now I’m using EXCEL. It’s too easy to lose track of which books I’ve read…or haven’t read.
THE KILLERS is a great movie, and CLEAN BREAK is the only White novel I’ve read. I wasn’t aware of the fact that THE NIGHT OF THE FOLLOWING DAY was based on THE SNATCHERS, but I have seen the movie. It’s a pretty good kidnapping thriller from the late sixties (which was when I saw it) with Brando and Richard Boone. I’d be surprised if it’s available, but it’s worth a look if you run across it.
Michael, Lionel White’s caper novels possess cinematic qualities. I’m surprised more of his crime novels weren’t turned into films or TV programs.
I recognize the name and that’s all. I’ll look for the Killers movie. thanks for the suggestion
Maggie, THE KILLERS helped launch Stanley Kubrick’s movie career.
George I have read Clean Break and watched The Killers. Liked both of them and the movie taught me not to be a cheapo while buying suitcases😅 Have been planning to read more of White since then. but as you say too many books…. A Party to Murder sounds very interesting. Will definitely be reading that.
Neeru, A PARTY TO MURDER with its chapters narrated by different characters marks a different mode of storytelling for Lionel White. I think you’ll like it!