Like a Hole in the Head

A retired army marksman, Jay Benson, runs a shooting school with his wife Lucy when financial troubles strike their business. Their situation changes when a wealthy man offers Jay an unusual and lucrative assignment to train his reluctant son in marksmanship within nine days. The stakes escalate rapidly as Jay discovers the training arrangement is connected to dangerous criminal enterprises. He must navigate a complex web of mafia involvement while protecting himself and his wife from mounting threats. This 1970 thriller combines elements of crime fiction with psychological suspense, exploring themes of moral compromise and the consequences of choices made under pressure. The novel examines how ordinary people can become entangled in extraordinary circumstances when desperation meets opportunity.

Limited reader reviews exist online for this lesser-known Chase novel. Most readers describe it as a straightforward crime thriller that follows Chase's standard formula. Readers appreciated: - Fast-paced action - Tight plotting without unnecessary subplots - The Miami setting and atmosphere - Concise writing style Common criticisms: - Characters lack depth - Plot points feel predictable - Ending resolves too quickly Available Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (46 ratings) Amazon: No ratings available One Goodreads reviewer noted: "A quick, forgettable read - entertaining enough but not Chase's best work." Another mentioned "standard Chase fare - if you like his other books, you'll probably enjoy this one too." Several readers commented that while competently written, the book offers little to distinguish it from Chase's many other crime novels of the era.

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The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain A drifter becomes involved in a plot with a diner owner's wife to murder her husband for insurance money.

The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson A small-town deputy sheriff maintains a respectable facade while concealing his true nature as a calculating murderer.

The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler Private investigator Philip Marlowe investigates blackmail and murder while dealing with two wealthy sisters in a case that grows more complex with each revelation.

Double Indemnity by James M. Cain An insurance salesman and a femme fatale devise a scheme to kill her husband and collect on his accident policy.

🎯 James Hadley Chase was actually a pen name for René Lodge Brabazon Raymond, who wrote under several pseudonyms throughout his career. 📚 Chase wrote approximately 90 books in his lifetime, selling around 50 million copies worldwide, making him one of the most successful British thriller writers of his era. 🎬 "Like a Hole in the Head" (1970) came during a period when many of Chase's works were being adapted into French and Italian films, though this particular novel wasn't among them. 🌍 Despite writing primarily about American crime scenes and culture, Chase rarely visited the United States, instead relying on maps, encyclopedias, and American magazines to create authentic settings. 🔍 The marksman training plot element in "Like a Hole in the Head" was inspired by real-life shooting schools that gained popularity in 1970s America amid rising concerns about personal security.