Richard Matheson Noir

Noir

Richard Matheson

Forge, Oct 2005, $14.95, 384 pp.

ISBN: 0765311402

"Someone Is Bleeding". In Santa Monica, writer Dave has fallen in love with Peggy. However, he begins to have doubts when he begins to find male corpses everywhere he goes. Could his sweet Peggy be a man-hating serial killer, and if yes how can he avoid joining her deadly list?

"Fury on Sunday". Manhattan concert pianist Vincent was already a bit crazy, when he finally goes off the deep end. He begins murdering people who cross his path, turning the mean streets even meaner with a final confrontation in his apartment.

"Ride the Nightmare". In California, Chris has come a long way from his misspent youth. He loves his wife Helen and their daughter, and is willing to die to keep them safe. He soon has the opportunity, as his past has arrived in California, not concerned about collateral damage.

These three suspense thrillers were written in the 1950's by the author of Duel (basis for the Spielberg movie). "Ride the Nightmare" and "Someone is Bleeding" are fabulous novellas that hook the audience from the start and never slow down, as seemingly nice middle class people get caught in maelstroms of perilous trouble. On the other hand, "Fury on Sunday" follows a maniac without getting inside him, making his killing spree seem endless; this tale would have been better as a short with a smaller body count. Still overall NOIR lives up to its title.

Harriet Klausner