James Hadley Chase Books

Farrell Brannigan, president of the California National Bank, has opened a new branch in Sharnville, a growing town on the California coast. Thanks to the work of Larry Lucas, an outstanding young expert in electronic security systems, he has successfully promoted the bank in the media, rightfully calling it "the safest bank under the sun." However, an unrelenting psychopathic enemy from Brannigan's past emerges, seeking revenge and plotting to rob the bank. Or is there something more sinister at play? Lucas has just met the girl of his dreams and envisions a happy life with her, but instead finds himself caught in a web of blackmail and murder from which there seems to be no escape.

James Hadley Chase (Rene Brabazon Raymond) was born in London in 1906 and started his career as a bookseller. With the aid of a dictionary of American slang and reference books on the American underworld he wrote his first novel, NO ORCHIDS FOR MISS BLANDISH, over six weekends. The book achieved remarkable popularity and became one of the best-sold books of the decade. FLESH OF THE ORCHID is a wild, thrill-ride of a sequel to NO ORCHIDS. Taking up the story 22 years later, the central figure is once again a Blandish girl, but Carol Blandish is not the helpless victim that her mother was. Indeed, she is a volatile blend of simmering sexuality, strained innocence and hair-trigger cruelty. Her explosive outbursts of savage violence make her a force to be reckoned with. Escaping from a mental institute during a raging storm, and definitely off her meds, Carol Blandish is soon pursued by a seedy cast of characters who all want a piece of the Blandish fortune. The novel bristles with crazy plot twists, edge-of-the-seat suspense and intriguing low-life's who mix it up for an immensely enjoyable read.

Murder isn't a very sociabe way of getting your kicks - but then, Jay Deaney was neve a very sociable sort of guy... He was young rich, attractive and bored. He needed excitement - and he meant to get it. For months he had waited - patiently cntroling the insane urge which nagged at his mind. And then he saw hera t a film festival in the South Of France - the blonde staret who was to provide him with the biggest thrill of his life... the girl he intended to murder...

Banned in the UK! Author and Publisher Fined! Not seen in 70 Years! This is the story of Miss Callaghan. Not of any particular Miss Callaghan, but of the hundreds of Miss Callaghans who disappear from their homes suddenly and mysteriously and are seen no more by those who knew and loved them. This is also the story of Raven, who played with clockwork trains, the leader of the White Slave Ring in East St. Louis, who was responsible for the keeping to full strength the army of women for the service of men. James Hadley Chase needs no introduction now. He has established a reputation for unmitigated toughness and plain writing. Under his blunt treatment, the traffic of women in America is shown to be what it is;a loathsome, corrupt stain on the pages of American history.

Glorie Leadler's intense desire for love centers on a solitary Oriental man, igniting a passionate and tumultuous affair. Despite her allure attracting numerous suitors, it's this one connection that truly captivates her. When jealousy disrupts their romance, Glorie's emotional turmoil erupts into a fierce quest for vengeance, impacting the lives of many men in Florida. The story explores themes of love, jealousy, and the powerful consequences of unbridled passion.

The original unexpurgated versions of two of the most violent mid-century gangster novels ever published.

When Chet Carson broke jail, he thought he found a safe hide-out in a lonely filling station. But instead he found himself caught up in a dangerous threesome - an elderly owner, his gorgeous wife Lola, and a safe with a fortune inside, which Lola wanted.

A mysterious woman from the protagonist's past reemerges, bringing with her unresolved tensions and potential dangers that could jeopardize his future. As their paths cross once more, secrets unfold, and the stakes rise, forcing him to confront both his history and the implications of her return. Themes of love, betrayal, and the impact of past decisions take center stage in this gripping narrative.

A hard-boiled crime novel set in an American backdrop. The story follows the protagonist, a former boxer, who is drawn to Miami by the lure of big money. From the very beginning, he finds himself in deep trouble, becoming increasingly entangled in intrigues and dangerous situations that force him to kill. He is on the run, evading both pursuers and the law. His desire for a peaceful life remains unfulfilled due to the shadows of his past. The narrative is marked by dynamic pacing and original resolutions, reminiscent of the earlier works of this well-known English author.

"Whatever the obstacle, we overcome it." This is the proud motto of the agency "Universal Services." However, the challenges they face with two new cases are significant. The daughter of Justin Wingrove, one of the most prominent citizens of Orchid City, has gone missing. Meanwhile, Dedrick has been kidnapped. It seemed like a matter of paying a ransom... or so it appeared. Eventually, they manage to locate both individuals, but the circumstances of their return are far from ideal.

A crime story featuring an elderly wealthy woman and a pair of con artists who manipulate her disinherited nephew. The driver of the affluent Alice Morely-Johnson, a skilled forger, seeks to secure his future and teams up with his employer's disinherited nephew Gerald and his girlfriend. The girlfriend's task is to blackmail the elderly woman's account manager into releasing her will, which the con artists plan to alter in Gerald's favor. The situation becomes complicated when the elderly woman decides to change her will herself, prompting the frightened driver to consider eliminating her.

In a gripping exploration of grief and redemption, the narrative follows a protagonist grappling with loss and the emotional aftermath of a significant event. The story delves into themes of memory, the impact of relationships, and the struggle to find meaning in the wake of tragedy. As the characters navigate their intertwined lives, they confront their pasts, leading to unexpected revelations and personal growth. The poignant journey invites readers to reflect on the complexities of love and the resilience of the human spirit.

Crime - 14 stories. Chase wrote a note about this: My dear Cherry, Some time ago you warned me against writing short stories. You stressed that the public didn't like them, and that I would be heading for a big flop if I persisted. Your views have always proved sound, so I've laid off until now. My present activities don't permit me to tackle a full-length novel, but as I have a number of situations up my sleeve I have been tempted to turn them into shorts. Have a little flutter on the book. Personally, I think it'll go. Not because it is better written than those which have flopped, but because the stories have got enough dynamite in them to make the average guy forget the blackout and the blitz - which, after all, is what we all want to do at this moment. Anyway, here's the manuscript, and when you're not too busy - Get a load of this! Yours, JAMES HADLEY CHASE,

When a necklace is as beautiful as the Esmaldi necklace with its hundred sparkling diamonds, it is not surprising that it causes powerful emotions. It is an object that people will do anything to obtain – even murder. For Al Barney, general idler and layabout, this comes as no surprise for he knows the peculiar history that the necklace holds – an ancient story of passion, jealousy and hatred. Yet as events unfold, it becomes clear that this violent story is far from over….

Jay Benson was a top military marksman who served as a sniper in the Vietnam War, killing eighty-two enemies. After leaving the army, he opened a shooting school near Paradise City, Florida, but business was struggling until the mysterious Augusto Savanto offered Jay fifty thousand dollars to transform Savanto's timid son into a top-notch shooter within nine days. When Jay uncovers the horrifying reason behind this task, it is too late for him to back out. Additionally, his vulnerability is heightened by his young and beautiful wife, Lucy. He realizes that the peaceful Florida he envisioned could become a hell worse than the jungles of Vietnam.

The story revolves around a cunning extortionist known as the Tortoise, whose criminal activities have eluded law enforcement across Europe. His downfall begins when he targets Don Micklem, a wealthy American playboy with influential connections. As Micklem seeks revenge, the tension escalates, leading to a dramatic confrontation that uncovers the Tortoise's whereabouts. This gripping narrative blends elements of crime, wealth, and the pursuit of justice, showcasing the clash between a determined individual and a formidable foe.

A small French resistance group came to London after the war to avenge the death of their leader, betrayed to the Gestapo by one of their own members. But the traitor, Mallory, proved more than a match for them, and two corpses later, the remaining three called in outside help. They chose Martin Corridon, an ex-commando, who accepted the job and planned a neat double-cross of his own once he had the money. But it didn't work out that way: Corridon found himself trailing Mallory from the dens of Soho to the wilds of a remote Scottish island.

A James Hadley Chase thriller set along the southern California coast circa 1950. A hard-boiled detective novel with plenty of action and humor.

Former commando Martin Corridon, previously introduced in the novel "Who is Mallory?", is living in post-war London with a tarnished reputation. One day, a friend shows him a white jade ring that someone has left behind. Shortly after, she is murdered, and it appears the killing is linked to the ring. Colonel Ritchie, Corridon's former superior during the war, seeks his help. A dangerous secret organization in England is using jade rings to inflict harm on the country. Ritchie's niece, Marien, is also involved, adding to the stakes. Corridon must recall his wartime experiences and attempt to infiltrate the organization. A perilous game for survival begins, as he navigates treachery and danger to uncover the truth behind the ring and the sinister plot at play.

Kenway Holland, a respectable, married bank official, jeopardises his happiness and his future by one night of midsummer madness. The sudden temptation to kick over the traces while his wife is away lands Holland up to his ears in a vortex of political intrigue and murder. Set against a background of gangster politicians, blackmailers, gunmen and hard-boiled characters, the action of this explosive thriller takes place over a period of only thirty hours!One night of midsummer madness... and Ken Holland, a respectable, married bank official, jeopardises his happiness and his future. The sudden temptation to kick over the traces while his wife is away lands Holland up to his ears in a vortex of political intrigue and murder. Set against a background of gangster politicians, blackmailers, gunmen and hard-boiled characters, the action of this explosive thriller takes place over a period of only thirty hours.But what hours they are !

On the Florida coast, millionaires are gripped by fear as a blackmailer sends threatening letters, and those who refuse to pay face deadly consequences. Two young drifters encounter an Indian with a scheme to get rich quickly: they will kill three millionaires and send ransom notes to the others. Panic ensues in the city as the police frantically search for the perpetrator. With sharp dialogue and a keen understanding of the setting, this tale transforms a seemingly mundane story into a compelling detective narrative.

Why would an obscure blonde dancer who performed in a G-string - with a deadly snake for a partner - be insured for a million dollars? That was what Steve Harmas, special investigator, had to try and find out. It was supposed to be simply a publicity stunt - a trick to get Susan Gellert's name in the newspapers - but somebody stood to gain an awful lot of money if she died. And Steve was sure that whoever it was didn't intend to wait very long before collecting the compensation money...

It was the easiest three grand Nelson Ryan had ever made - but suddenly he realized he was being played for a sucker. A telephone call, seemingly innocent enough, led him to the murder of a Chinese call-girl who'd talked too much. It also pitched him straight into the teeming, sordid night life of colourful Hong Kong. From now on, Ryan would stick at nothing to get the killer who'd crossed him up...

It seemed like a good idea at the time to ex-paratroop sergeant Harry Mitchell, home after three years in the deadly jungles of Vietnam. Head south to Florida, get a summer job, soak up some sun, relax a bit. But when he got to Paradise City he found himself drawn into a lethal set-up where dumped corpses, smuggling operations, over-ambitious cops, hired killers and a sexy little double-crosser called Nina combined to make life very unhealthy. It was just as well for Harry Mitchell that he'd learned to look after himself in Vietnam...

Successful dramatist Victor Dermott rents an isolated ranch-house in the Nevada Desert. For two months all is ideal, then one bright summer morning he wakes to find his dog, his guns, his servant vanished - and the telephone dead.The terror has begun . . .'Agonising tension sustained throughout a first-rate story' Evening Standard

An heiress is kidnapped by small time hoods, only to find herself seized from them by a gangster who isn't just interested in her for the ransom money. Despite her terrifying ordeal, Miss Blandish finds herself perversely attracted to the gang leader. They plan to run off together, but a double cross could be just around the corner.

In the shadowy canals of Venice, a series of mysterious deaths unfolds, captivating the attention of a determined investigator. As they delve deeper into the dark underbelly of the city, secrets and hidden agendas emerge, intertwining the lives of locals and tourists alike. The unique atmosphere of Venice serves as both a backdrop and a character in this gripping tale, blending suspense with rich historical context. The story explores themes of betrayal, love, and the complexities of human nature against a hauntingly beautiful setting.

Classic pulp detective fiction by Chase.

Raw, grisly and explosive! Reporter Nick Mason witnesses an execution and gains a clue from the condemned man, sending Nick into a network of crime and murder!

Clive Thurston is a fortunate man; he has passed off an unpublished play by a deceased writer as his own, successfully staged it on Broadway, and quickly gained fame. Riding the wave of success, he has written three novels, perhaps trivial, but all bestsellers, and Hollywood has embraced him. Confident and pursued by women, Clive finds love with a young screenwriter who understands and supports him. However, then comes Eva, mysterious, wild, and elusive. For Clive, this marks the beginning of a difficult game, the rules of which he does not know, and in which he stakes everything. Eva is more than just a hundred-dollar prostitute. From a master of the thriller genre, this novel presents a memorable portrait of a 'dark lady' in a tense, ironic, and bitter narrative, which was adapted into a film in 1962 by Joseph Losey, featuring Jeanne Moreau.

Veda Rux, a beautiful blonde, known professionally as a stripper, steals a priceless Cellini dagger from the safe in millionaire Lindsay Brett's home. Her agent, Cornelius Gorman, approaches Floyd Jackson, a private investigator and first-rate blackmailer, and asks him to return the dagger before the theft is discovered. Jackson should have known there was something wrong with the whole situation, but, blinded by the beauty of Veda and more money than he had ever seen, he agreed to the proposition. From the moment he fell in love with Veda, his doom was sealed—he was caught up in a relentless intrigue that made him a cat's-paw for murder.

Detektivroman aus dem Umfeld der gesellschaftlichen Elite in Florida. Der Protagonist ist ein ehemaliger Polizist, der auf einer unzugänglichen Insel die Sicherheit der unkonventionellen Tochter eines italienischen Milliardärs gewährleisten soll. Das Mädchen wurde in Rom Opfer einer Entführung, und der beschäftigte Vater möchte kein Risiko eingehen. Der Held verbindet sich mit der lokalen Mafia und entwickelt einen raffinierten Plan, um zweiundzwanzig Millionen Dollar zu erlangen. Doch unvorhergesehene Umstände stören seine Pläne, und der Protagonist erkennt zu spät die Schwächen seiner durchdachten Aktion.

Voici l'histoire de Johnny Bianda, garde du corps dans un gang affilié à la Mafia, un homme dont le seul rêve était de posséder un bateau et de le louer aux riches sportifs qui pêchent au large des côtes de Floride. Pour réaliser ce rêve, il n'hésite pas à s'emparer de 186 000 dollars appartenant au gang. Il n'ignorait pas qu'un jour ou l'autre on viendrait frapper à sa porte... mais il n'avait pas prévu que ce jour arriverait aussi tôt.

Cette histoire fait suite au roman "Eso v rukávu". Helga Rolfeová se retrouve à nouveau dans une situation délicate. Épouse de l'un des hommes les plus riches du monde, elle se rend aux Bahamas, mais son séjour dans ce paradis touristique est loin d'être idyllique. Dès son arrivée, elle est surveillée. Son mari, méfiant, envisage de modifier son testament, et Helga, en raison de sa faiblesse pour les jeunes hommes séduisants, devient la cible d'un chantage impitoyable, risquant de perdre soixante millions de dollars qu'elle doit hériter. De plus, elle fait face à un dangereux culte vaudou pratiqué par certains autochtones. Bien que Helga, rationnelle, refuse de croire aux rituels sanglants et à la magie, d'autres semblent y adhérer. Elle devra faire preuve de toute son intelligence et de son ingéniosité pour se sortir de cette situation périlleuse. Qui, dans ce jeu dangereux, obtiendra le joker ?

Ein begabter Fotograf in London liebt die falsche Frau, die für ihre Beziehungen einen hohen Preis fordert. Gleichzeitig versucht er, seine schwangere Mutter vor dem Henker zu retten, der jedoch Zeit hat.

Reporter Nick Mason witnesses an execution and gains a clue from the condemned man, sending Nick into a network of crime and murder!

Nach seiner Entlassung aus dem Gefängnis wird Harry Barber von Rhea Malroux und ihrer Stieftochter Odette in einen Entführungsplan verwickelt, um Lösegeld zu erpressen. Doch als Odette tot aufgefunden wird, gerät Barber in eine gefährliche Situation, während er versucht, seine Unschuld zu bewahren und die Leiche verschwinden zu lassen.

Fayette egy dossziét húzott elő az íróasztalából. – Cikksorozatot akarok indítani eltűnt személyekről. Tudtátok ti, hogy Amerikában naponta minimum harminc vagy még több ember sétál el reggel hazulról, aztán nyoma vész? Van egy érdekes ügyem nektek. Máris fogjatok hozzá. Összenéztünk Bernie-vel. Akkor már ugyanis egy jó hete hiába izzadtunk egy témával, és Fayette javaslata úgy jött, mint fuldoklónak a mentőöv. – Helyes – mondtam. -Halljuk, mi a helyzet. – Tavaly augusztusban eltűnt egy Fay Benson nevű nő. Weldenben dolgozott, a Florian klubban mint show-görl. A nőnek komoly sikere volt, és a tulajdonos hajlandó lett volna meghosszabbítani a szerződést, tehát semmi oka nem volt úgy eltűnni, ahogy eltűnt. Augusztus 17-én pontosan megjelent a klubban, bement az öltözőjébe, 9 előtt a beintőfiú szólt neki, hogy öt perc múlva következik a száma; akkor már – a fiú szerint – színpadi cucc volt rajta, flitteres bikini, valamint tollszerűség meg cilinder. A nő kiszólt, hogy készen van, a gyerek visszament a helyére. Ő látta utoljára.

Helga Rolfeová, eine attraktive, gebildete und intelligente Frau aus Florida und die Ehefrau eines der reichsten Männer der Welt, lernt während einer Geschäftsreise in Deutschland einen angenehmen jungen Mann kennen. Helga hatte schon immer eine Schwäche für gutaussehende junge Männer, und Larry zieht sie sofort in seinen Bann. Doch sie ahnt nicht, dass ihr Aufenthalt in Europa sich in einen Albtraum verwandeln wird und sie Angst erleben wird wie nie zuvor. Helga wird Opfer raffinierter Intrigen und riskiert, die sechzig Millionen Dollar zu verlieren, die sie eines Tages von ihrem Mann erben soll. Ihr Gegner in diesem gefährlichen Spiel ist ein skrupelloser Erpresser, der alles mit unglaublichem Scharfsinn inszeniert hat. Wird er als Sieger hervorgehen, oder findet Helga noch ein weiteres Ass im Ärmel?

Állandóan nők után koslatott, ez volt a legnagyobb hibája. Csapot-papot otthagyott, ha megtetszett neki valaki. Ez is ilyen eset lehetett, és őnagysága férjének talán kifogása volt ellene. Persze csak találgatok, de Jack azelőtt is elképesztő helyzetekbe került a nők miatt. Rankin fintorgott. – Férjes asszonyokkal járkált? – Nem törődött a családi állapotukkal, ha szépek voltak. Ne gondolja, hogy be akarom feketíteni. A legjobb barátom volt, de igaz, ami igaz, néha nagyon sok bosszúságot okozott, amikor egy csinos cicababa miatt elhanyagolta a munkáját. – Elég ritkán fordul elő, hogy egy férj jégcsákánnyal fejezi ki a rosszallását: ez profimunka volt.

Trau keinem Schurken - bk1467; Ullstein Verlag; James Hadley Chase; pocket_book; 1982