Occasionally I enjoy sharing with others those odd offbeat oldies crime novels that have been forgotten my most, but treasured by few. This one is perfect for a lover of city crime and action.
Murder For A Wanton , Whitman Chambers, Caxton House 1939
Ernie Hynes, former star reporter for the Sun-Telegram newspaper has taken up the law, studying under the tutelage of respected lawyer and known morphine addict, Crowley Bascomb. Bascomb’s biggest client is Aaron Lampier, whose family has received serious death threats. Before any one can bat an eye, Ludlow Lampier, the respected heir apparent and his drunken partygoer black sheep brother Leonard, are both dead. Everyone, including Police Captain Royle and his crack team of detectives are puzzled.
Ernie swings from aspiring lawyer back to seasoned investigative reporter in a flash–hoping to solve the caper for his boss, Bascomb. Not even his tough street experience could prepare him for what he encounters. Shoot outs with gangsters, corrupt lawyers, love triangles, poisonings, and murder are nothing compared to the danger of falling in love with the alluring Loraine Lampier. Ernie’s unorthodox methods lead him on a fevered path to save old Aaron Lampier and his new love from what seems like certain death.
A forgotten book and easy read, in it’s own way is outlandishly believable. It’s a story that could have been torn from today’s tabloid television shows, if not from the headlines, like Law and Order. The settings like the the Lampier estate, are lush. On the opposite end sits a seedy roadhouse/gangster hideout–The Green Lantern. So, who is the wanton of the title? Is there a wanton at all in the book? Sometimes the title has very little to do with the interior plot. You’ll have to read the book to uncover that answer!
Murder For a Wanton is another ‘must’ read from the ‘musty’ pile of hardcovers you may encounter at your town’s next library sale. Keep your eyes peeled for a copy. If you can’t locate one, no doubt Ernie Hymes will point you in the right direction.
This book may be suitable for professional assassins
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