This is really two stories. The first and shorter story is about Robert Westland, in the condemned cell at Chicago county jail and destined for the electric chair in less than a week. His cellmates, his warder, his thoughts as the day approaches -- all well done, without sentiment but with compassion.
Parallel to this we have the hardboiled detective plot; Bill Crane and Doc Williams are imported from New York by the lawyer Charles Finkelstein to examine new evidence and track down the real killer before Westland's time is up. They interrogate Westland's friends, co-workers and associates; get themselves shot at; drink a lot and chase women. Two more killings occur before Crane springs his final surprise and frees the prisoner -- at a cost.
The book was published in 1935 when Latimer was 29, but the detection part still reads like an adolescent fantasy. Long cab rides; drinking; leering after women; more drinking; restaurant meals, the courses carefully detailed. The elements of wish-fulfilment are easy to see. Not a bad book overall, especially the prison parts; but the whole thing could do with a lot more discipline.
Jon.
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