The Baby in the Icebox and Other Short Fiction

A collection of short fiction by the renowned author James M. Cain. Most of these originate prior to his blockbuster novels, 'Double Indemnity' and 'The Postman Always Rings Twice.' In just three of the twenty entries, we find: - two murderers, the head of their victim, and a frozen creek... - Lucky, the hobo, concocting the perfect alibi... - A tiger in the kitchen, and a the baby in the icebox... All twenty feature the streamlined prose, concise plots, and unique voice of the author. As editor Roy Hoopes points out in his introduction, James M. Cain wrote best when he wrote succinctly, and this collection proves the point. The short stories, sketches and dialogues, and one novella in this book are filled with people caught in the cold-blooded grip of passion and fate. It's hard-boiled fiction at its best. "Taken together, the short stories comprise a satisfying companion to Cain's novels." - Publishers Weekly Librarian's note #1: the stories include: 1. The Robber, 2. Vanishing Act, 3. Dreamland, 4. Joy Ride, 5. Queen of Love and Beauty, 6. Santa Claus M.D., 7. Gold Letters Hand Painted, 8. It Breathed, 9. The Hero, 10. Theological Interlude, 11. Pastorale, 12. The Taking of Montfaucon, 13. The Baby in the Icebox, 14. The Birthday Party, 15. Dead Man, 16. Brush Fire, 17. Coal Black, 18. The Girl in the Storm, 19. Joy Ride to Glory, and 20. Money and the Woman (aka, The Embezzler). Librarian's note #2: the following have separate entries on GR, #11, #12, #13, #15, #16, and #20 and can be reviewed individually there. The others and the collection as a whole should be reviewed here.