Red Gardenias

Detective Bill Crane returns in this 1939 noir crime novel, the fifth and final installment in Jonathan Latimer's acclaimed series. The story centers on a series of carbon monoxide poisonings in suburban Chicago that draw Crane into an investigation involving organized crime. Crane works the case alongside his friend Doc Williams and Ann Fortune, his boss's niece. The investigation requires Crane and Ann to pose as a married couple while pursuing leads connected to the murders and the mysterious scent of gardenias at the crime scene. The novel balances hardboiled detective work with romantic elements as Crane - known for his heavy drinking - navigates both professional and personal complications. The 1930s Chicago setting provides a backdrop of speakeasies, mob connections, and mounting tension. This final Bill Crane mystery showcases Latimer's signature blend of dark humor and suspense while exploring themes of deception, loyalty, and the thin line between pretense and reality.

This 1939 detective novel receives limited reviews online, with most mentions appearing in vintage crime fiction blogs and forums. Readers highlight the book's pulpy noir atmosphere and dark humor. Several reviewers note its unique blend of hardboiled detective tropes with screwball comedy elements. A recurring comment is that Latimer succeeds in making alcoholic detective Bill Crane both sympathetic and entertaining. Common criticisms focus on the convoluted plot and occasional pacing issues. Some readers found the drinking-heavy narrative repetitive. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (based on 23 ratings) Amazon: No current listing Notable reader quote from Goodreads user Mike Dennis: "Latimer pulled off what few other noir writers could do - he managed to inject genuine humor into a dark story without diminishing the core mystery." The book remains out of print, which limits current reader engagement and reviews.

The Lady in the Lake by Raymond Chandler Philip Marlowe investigates a missing persons case involving multiple identities and deceptions in 1940s Los Angeles with similar noir elements and romantic subplots.

The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett Nick and Nora Charles solve murders while mixing detection with drinks and witty exchanges in a story that mirrors the blend of crime and romance found in Red Gardenias.

Murder by the Book by Rex Stout Nero Wolfe and Archie Goodwin tackle a publishing industry murder that features the same mix of detection and dark humor present in the Crane series.

The Moving Target by Ross Macdonald Private investigator Lew Archer works a case in Southern California that shares themes of hidden motives and organized crime connections.

Green for Danger by Christianna Brand Inspector Cockrill investigates murders in a wartime hospital where, like Red Gardenias, seemingly accidental deaths reveal complex criminal schemes.

🔍 The Bill Crane series was adapted for film in the late 1930s, with three movies starring Preston Foster as the detective. 🌺 Jonathan Latimer worked as a crime reporter for the Chicago Herald-Examiner before becoming a novelist, lending authenticity to his Chicago-based mysteries. 🎬 After his career as a novelist, Latimer became a successful Hollywood screenwriter, penning scripts for classic films like "The Big Clock" (1948) and "The Glass Key" (1942). ☠️ Carbon monoxide poisoning was a particularly relevant method of murder in 1930s crime fiction, as gas lighting was still common in many American homes during this era. 📚 "Red Gardenias" (1939) marked the end of Latimer's Bill Crane series, though the author continued writing crime fiction and screenplays for another three decades.