Murder Twice Told

Murder Twice Told combines two suspense thrillers by Donald Hamilton into one gripping collection, originally published in 1950. The book features "Deadfall" (1949) and "The Black Cross" (1947), both previously released as magazine serials. These standalone stories showcase Hamilton's skill with noir-style crime fiction and taut psychological tension. The collection gained attention when "Deadfall" was adapted for radio broadcast on the popular series "Suspense" in 1951. Both stories focus on ordinary people caught in dangerous situations that force them to confront moral choices and deadly consequences. The narratives build methodically toward their climaxes while maintaining a constant thread of suspense. The collection represents Hamilton's early work exploring themes of justice, survival, and the thin line between right and wrong in post-war America. These stories established patterns that would later emerge in his Matt Helm series and other espionage novels.

Reader reviews for this title are limited, with fewer than 10 ratings available online. Several reviewers note the book's combination of two earlier Hamilton novels: "Deadfall" and "The Steel Mirror." Fans of Hamilton's Matt Helm series expressed disappointment that these stories lack the espionage elements of his better-known work. What Readers Liked: - Fast-paced action across both stories - Hamilton's straightforward writing style - Character development in "The Steel Mirror" What Readers Disliked: - Stories feel dated (written in 1950s) - Plots seen as predictable by modern standards - Some found the combination of two unrelated stories in one volume disjointed Available Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (4 ratings) Amazon: 3.0/5 (2 ratings) One reviewer on a mystery fiction forum wrote: "These are Hamilton's early works and it shows. Good for completists but newcomers should start with his Matt Helm series instead."

The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler Philip Marlowe's investigation of a friend's murder captures the same psychological tension and moral complexity found in Hamilton's noir stories.

Beast in View by Margaret Millar This tale of psychological suspense about a woman receiving threatening phone calls mirrors Hamilton's focus on ordinary people trapped in escalating danger.

The Tremor of Forgery by Patricia Highsmith The story of an American writer in Tunisia caught in a web of violence delivers Hamilton's signature exploration of moral ambiguity.

The Kill Artist by Daniel Silva The first Gabriel Allon novel carries forward Hamilton's tradition of methodical plotting and post-war espionage themes.

The Dreadful Lemon Sky by John D. MacDonald Travis McGee's investigation into a friend's death presents the same blend of crime fiction and psychological depth that marks Hamilton's work.

🔸 Donald Hamilton went on to write 27 novels in his famous Matt Helm spy series, which sold over 20 million copies worldwide and inspired four Hollywood films starring Dean Martin. 🔸 Before becoming a thriller writer, Hamilton worked as a chemical engineer and served in the U.S. Navy Reserve during World War II, experiences that often informed his technical writing accuracy. 🔸 The novellas in "Murder Twice Told" were published during the golden age of American pulp magazines (1940s), when serialized fiction was a primary entertainment source for millions of readers. 🔸 One of the stories from the collection was adapted for television as part of the "Climax!" anthology series in 1957, showcasing the story's adaptability across different media formats. 🔸 Hamilton's writing style was notably influenced by Ernest Hemingway's minimalist approach, focusing on spare, direct prose and psychological realism rather than melodramatic flourishes.