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The Cocktail Waitress (2012)

by James M. Cain(Favorite Author)

3.52 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

1781160325 (ISBN13: 9781781160329)

languge

English

genre

Mystery & Thriller

publisher

Hard Case Crime

series

Hard Case Crime

review 1: Cain may very well be my favorite writer. His final posthumous novel is a workshop in how to construct an unreliable narrator--a grotesque, intriguing, and surprisingly believable character, despite the lurid sensationalism that is Cain's hallmark. Unlike any other writer, Cain can mix pulp excess with moments of startling and subtle psychological insight that demands close attention from readers, even as we flip pages furiously to get to the next thrilling page. After reading this one, I have the desire to read everything he's ever written.
review 2: I wanted to love this book--I really did. I was a bit wary when I picked this up, realizing it was an unreleased title that was edited and put together after Cain's death. Interestingly it was clearly edited and... more put together with love and respect (the afterword is very good)so that is not the problem. I liked the main character and narrator (though anyone would feel bad for her--she's like a sexy Job with all her problems). I found it a bit odd that the story focused so much on the service industry (Mildred Pierce, Postman--not sure what the fascination is with bar/grill combos or diners but it's a bit strange). The story was very over the top, the way that Cain usually is and involves the usual "no way!" coincidences that so often run this type of fiction--something that I generally find amusing and have no problem believing for the sake of the story. In this case it was a bit much--I enjoyed the twist at the end, and honestly did not see it coming however the secondary twist was awful--(not going to spoil it but frankly it's gross). The secondary twist is mentioned in the afterword but to be honest the way it's not really addressed the way I would have expected. That particular piece of the book to me is quite ugly and not at all to Cain's standards--I know many people like the "shock" of pulpy stuff but this particular "shock" to me was ugly and more in tune with awful nameless True Detective type stories that are clumsy and gross and meant only to be read while gettin' a trim on your flattop at the barber. I was not in love with the book by the time this twist showed up and it left a very nasty taste in my mouth. less

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