Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye

Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye follows Ralph Cotter, a violent criminal who orchestrates his escape from prison and launches into a series of heists and schemes. The story tracks his ruthless climb through the criminal underworld while manipulating those around him. The narrative unfolds in 1940s America through Cotter's first-person perspective, revealing his intelligence and classical education alongside his complete lack of moral constraints. His relationships with women, crime partners, and corrupt police officers form the core dynamics of the plot. The pace accelerates as Cotter's ambitions grow larger and the consequences of his actions begin to catch up with him. McCoy's background as a screenwriter shows in the novel's cinematic style and sharp dialogue. This noir crime novel examines themes of nihilism and determinism, questioning whether someone can truly escape their nature. The protagonist's combination of refined intellect and base criminality creates an unsettling exploration of human duality.

Readers call Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye a dark and brutal noir that surpasses McCoy's better-known They Shoot Horses, Don't They? Many note its similarities to James M. Cain's style while praising McCoy's more sophisticated prose. Readers appreciate: - Complex psychological portrayal of the criminal mind - Raw, unflinching violence - Literary quality of the writing - Philosophical undertones Common criticisms: - Dated language and references - Slow pacing in middle sections - Difficult to follow timeline jumps - Some find the protagonist too repulsive Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (237 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) Representative review: "McCoy writes like a more literate Jim Thompson. The protagonist is pure evil but you can't look away." - Goodreads user "The verbose narration sometimes gets in the way of an otherwise gripping crime story." - Amazon reviewer

They Shoot Horses, Don't They? by Horace McCoy A Depression-era noir chronicles dancers in a marathon competition who spiral into desperation and crime.

No Pockets in a Shroud by Horace McCoy A reporter uncovers corruption in a small town while facing threats to his life from those in power.

Double Indemnity by James M. Cain An insurance salesman and a married woman plot her husband's murder in this tale of greed and betrayal.

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

The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain A drifter and a married woman's affair leads to murder and consequences in Depression-era California.

🌟 Horace McCoy worked as a Dallas police officer before becoming a writer, lending authenticity to his crime narratives 📚 The novel's protagonist, Ralph Cotter, is considered one of the most ruthlessly amoral characters in crime fiction history 🎬 The book was adapted into a 1950 film noir starring James Cagney, which was banned in Ohio due to its violent content ✍️ McCoy wrote much of the novel while working as a Hollywood screenwriter, drawing from his observations of the film industry's darker side 🏆 Though initially overlooked in America, the book received significant acclaim in France, where existentialist philosophers Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir praised its nihilistic themes