I agree with Doug's "Blood Simple"
observations. The Op in this situation pushes the killing not
merely to "carry out his assignment" but to revel in it. He's
tasted blood and he's enjoying it until it, and his
conscience catches up with him.
Also, I can't read this book without
marveling at what Hammett was doing here. He had no
hard-boiled tradition to play off of, and he had so few
points of reference. It's a wonderment and I'm glad it was my
first reading list book after coming onto rara-avis. I hadn't
read Red Harvest in more than 40 years. Thanks for taking me
back.
Jim
Blue
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