The Postman Always Rings Twice
by James M. Cain

One fateful day, Frank Chambers gets thrown off the back of a hay truck in a part of southern California I know well enough to dread being stuck there with no money or transportation. But luck is on his side. He immediately picks up a job working for Nick Papadakis, owner of a truck stop. At first it's a good deal - cooking, filling up gas, changing the oil, and lusting after Nick's wife Cora. But then lust blossoms into a torrid affair and, next thing you know, Frank and Cora decide to arrange a little accident for dear old Nick. In case that sounds like a romantic idea, there's a life insurance policy on Nick - and it pays double if he dies in an accident.

The apparent accident comes off perfectly, except for one mistake. And the rest of this snappy little page-turner is a single, steady swell of suspense as a nosy insurance detective tries to sniff out that mistake. Notorious in its day for its in-your-face violence and sexuality, treasured today for its crisp diction, its passion, its measured tread of dread, and the classic movie based on it, The Postman Always Rings Twice is one of the top achievements of the hard boiled school of fiction, from the author of Double Indemnity and Mildred Pierce.

Robbie Fischer
USA

Recommended Age: Age: 14+

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