Waltz into Darkness (Crime, Penguin)
by Cornell Woolrich

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Book Reviews of Waltz into Darkness (Crime, Penguin)

Book Review: twisted lives ruined by love...
Summary: 5 Stars

'Waltz Into Darkness' is the story of a middle-aged bachelor who marries someone who he knows only through love letters. He winds up getting more than he bargained for. His wife, clear to all except himself, is no angel. Due to her cold-heartness and his warm-heartedness, he decends down to her level. While one can think of this as being a trite story, one which has been filmed under different titles, the story worked for me as a pure character study rather than a crime novel (..yes, crimes are commited). The ending is most painfully moving. The psychological elements of 'Waltz Into Darkness' reminds me of the wonderful novels by Patricia ('Talented Mr. Ripley') Highsmith.

My only complaint about this novel is Woolrich's tendency to concentrate on writing a great story and not "sweating the details" on descriptive details. This story is supposed to take place in New Orleans circa 1880. But Woolrich doesn't bother to make the reader feel he/she has been transported to such a time/place. Having recently read Kate Chopin's The Awakening, the setting being New Orleans circa 1900, I can plainly see how the superb 'Waltz Into Darkness' could have been better. Having said this, 'Waltz Into Darkness' has a richer literary feel than some of Woolrich's earlier works.

Bottom Line: terrific psychological crime novel. A great book for Woolrich fans and neophytes alike.

Summary of Waltz into Darkness (Crime, Penguin)

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