Bill Pronzini's _Step to the Graveyard Easy_ (Walker, 2002)
is a compact thriller in the Gold Medal size and style.
A middle-class, decently dull man suddenly quits his job,
intentionally causes his wife to kick him out and divorce
him, and takes to the road with his share of the joint
savings account. He has no itinerary and no plans, but he's
got money and wheels.
His suddenly gained freedom transforms him into a risk-taker
and a doer. He travels south, passing through New Orleans
with incident, and ends up in San Francisco and finally Lake
Tahoe, where he is involved in a thick murder plot which he
tries to understand as he tries to stay alive.
Tempting dames, card sharpers and various shady operators and
family conflicts contribute to the noirish atmosphere and
confusing doings. The murder mystery and the protagonist's
mysterious personality change are explained at the end, a
letdown or a purposeful homage to Gold Medal
(specifically, to John D., Pronzini's literary ancestor),
depending on how you choose to look at it.
If you are looking for a dark-toned, absorbing novel that can
be read in one sitting, this one is for you. If, like me, you
are a Pronzini fan who prefers his standalone novels to the
Nameless series, you will be rewarded.
Best regards
MrT
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