No Way to Treat a Lady

A killer stalks New York City, targeting women and leaving theatrical calling cards at each crime scene. Detective Morris Brummell leads the investigation while managing his complex relationship with his overbearing mother and pursuing a new romance with a witness. The murderer takes on multiple disguises and personalities as he continues his spree, taunting both the police and press. The story alternates between the perspectives of Detective Brummell and the killer, creating a psychological cat-and-mouse game through the streets of 1960s Manhattan. The novel explores themes of identity, mother-son relationships, and the masks people wear in society. Written during a two-week burst of creativity, Goldman's work stands as both a compelling thriller and an examination of performative behavior in modern life.

Readers found this thriller engaging due to its cat-and-mouse dynamics and psychological depth. The shifting perspectives between detective and killer drew particular attention, with multiple reviews noting the effectiveness of seeing both sides of the manhunt. Likes: - Fast pacing and short chapters - Dark humor throughout - Complex mother-son themes - Realistic police procedural details Dislikes: - Some found the killer's motivations underdeveloped - Several readers mentioned dated gender attitudes - The ending disappointed some readers who wanted more resolution Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (90+ ratings) "The detective's personal life adds needed humanity to balance the darkness," noted one Amazon reviewer. A Goodreads review criticized "too many scenes that seem designed just for shock value." Multiple readers compared it favorably to Thomas Harris's work while noting it predates Silence of the Lambs by over a decade.

The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson A small-town deputy sheriff leads a double life as a methodical murderer while maintaining a facade of normalcy in this psychological crime narrative.

Red Dragon by Thomas Harris An FBI profiler pursues a serial killer who targets families while battling his own psychological demons and seeking help from an imprisoned Hannibal Lecter.

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith A con man assumes another man's identity and commits murder to maintain his new lifestyle in this character study of a charming sociopath.

American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis A Wall Street executive operates as a serial killer in Manhattan while navigating a world of wealth, status, and mounting psychological instability.

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris An FBI trainee must engage with an imprisoned psychiatrist-turned-cannibal to catch a killer who skins his female victims.

🎬 Goldman was primarily known as a Hollywood screenwriter, penning classics like "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" and "The Princess Bride" before venturing into crime fiction. 🕵️ The novel was first published in 1964 under the pseudonym Harry Longbaugh - the real name of the Sundance Kid, showing Goldman's early fascination with the American West. 📚 The book was adapted into a 1968 film starring Rod Steiger, George Segal, and Lee Remick, with Steiger playing multiple roles as the shape-shifting killer. 🗽 Goldman's portrayal of 1960s New York City was influenced by the real-life panic caused by the "Mad Bomber" George Metesky, who terrorized the city for 16 years. 🎭 The novel's unique structure, alternating between the perspectives of killer and detective, was revolutionary for its time and influenced numerous subsequent psychological thrillers.