Turn on the Heat by Erle Stanley Gardner is a classic hardboiled mystery novel that features the unlikely duo of Bertha Cool and Donald Lam.
Cool is a tough-as-nails businesswoman who runs a private detective agency. At the same time, Lam is a mild-mannered, bespectacled assistant with more brains than brawn.
The novel opens with Cool and Lam being hired by a mysterious client to investigate the disappearance of his estranged wife, Amelia Rose Lintig, who vanished 20 years ago. The investigation quickly turns dangerous, as Lam finds himself in the crosshairs of a ruthless criminal determined to keep Amelia's disappearance a secret.
Gardner's writing is sharp and suspenseful, and he does a great job of creating a sense of atmosphere in the novel. The city of Oakview, California, where the story takes place, is portrayed as a seedy and dangerous place where the law is often corrupted, and the innocent are often preyed upon.
The characters in the novel are well-developed and memorable. Bertha Cool is a force of nature, and her no-nonsense attitude is a refreshing change of pace from the typical damsel-in-distress female characters in many mystery novels.
Donald Lam is a bit of a fish out of water in the world of hardboiled crime, but he proves to be a capable detective, and his wit and intelligence often help him to outwit his adversaries.
The mystery in the novel is well-crafted, and the plot twists are unexpected but satisfying.
The ending is satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving the reader with a lot to think about.
Overall, Turn on the Heat is a well-written and suspenseful mystery novel that will please fans of the genre. It is a classic example of the hardboiled style, featuring two of the most memorable characters in detective fiction.
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