Hessman's Necklace - by Nicholas Litchfield (Paperback)

About the Book

"Skilled housebreaker Ray Stokes can afford to enjoy a wasteful playboy existence thanks to the generous support of grotesquely wealthy Walter Cartwell, a Chicago crime lord. Handsomely paid for the past five years, Ray has become one of Walter's most trusted employees, depended on to steal coveted treasures from the homes of private collectors. Ray's captivating looks and distinction as a ladies' man persuade Walter to assign him the unusual task of getting romantically close to Merriam Woolcroft, a pretty church secretary. Apparently, Merriam is the mistress of Reverend Arnold Sinclair, a shady South Boston clergyman whose community activities have identified him as a powerful trafficker of stolen antiques. Although mildly curious if Sinclair's vestry is stocked with priceless art, one solitary object occupies Walter's interest: a famed emerald-studded 22-karat gold necklace purloined from a museum thirty years earlier. Convinced that the reverend has this long-lost relic, Walter maintains that Ray should focus on stealing Merriam's heart to locate the necklace, unaware that manipulating a woman is far more complex and dangerous than manipulating locks. Escalating tension and unexpected twists turn the stealthy treasure hunt into a ruthless fight for survival."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

Skilled housebreaker Ray Stokes can afford to enjoy a wasteful playboy existence thanks to the generous support of grotesquely wealthy Walter Cartwell, a Chicago crime lord. Handsomely paid for the past five years, Ray has become one of Walter's most trusted employees, depended on to steal coveted treasures from the homes of private collectors.

Ray's captivating looks and distinction as a ladies' man persuade Walter to assign him the unusual task of getting romantically close to Merriam Woolcroft, a pretty church secretary. Apparently, Merriam is the mistress of Reverend Arnold Sinclair, a shady South Boston clergyman whose community activities have identified him as a powerful trafficker of stolen antiques.

Although mildly curious if Sinclair's vestry is stocked with priceless art, one solitary object occupies Walter's interest: a famed emerald-studded 22-karat gold necklace purloined from a museum thirty years earlier. Convinced that the reverend has this long-lost relic, Walter maintains that Ray should focus on stealing Merriam's heart to locate the necklace, unaware that manipulating a woman is far more complex and dangerous than manipulating locks.

Escalating tension and unexpected twists turn the stealthy treasure hunt into a ruthless fight for survival.

Review Quotes

"Every detail seems relevant, and not a syllable seems wasted - a tough trick to pull off. It all results in an appealing tale that also upends stereotypical impressions of '50s Americana."--KIRKUS REVIEWS

"Fast-moving and stylish, enriched by a cast of cool characters and clever plot twists, Hessman's Necklace conjures up a vibrant 1950s landscape, brought to life with entertaining wise guys, gun-toting molls, chic fashions and the sleekest cars. Witty, gritty and packed with old-fashioned charm, this is a crime thriller you won't want to miss."--Pam Norfolk, SHEFFIELD STAR

" Hessman's Necklace is a love letter to pulp fiction fans, noir junkies, and readers who like their stories hot-blooded and full of bite. What struck me most was the prose. It's bold, lush, and rich with attitude. Litchfield doesn't hold back. His writing practically swaggers across the page. There's an almost hypnotic rhythm to it."--LITERARY TITAN

"Combines the impeccable plotting of The Maltese Falcon with the canny post-modernism of Chinatown. Suspenseful, savvy and self-referential, Nicholas Litchfield's Hessman's Necklace soon will be added to the canon of enduring noir novels."--LAURENCE KLAVAN, Edgar Award winner, librettist of Bed and Sofa

"A cracking great read!"--JAMES R BENN, author of The Phantom Patrol

"An engaging romp through a time of stylish noir, the late 1950s. This gripping story is well worth the read."--MARK JACOBS, author of A Handful of Kings and Silent Light

"Punchy storytelling, embracing all the grit, grime, and sleazy slime the retro thriller genre was made for. Classing up crime and giving noir a gutsy new gloss, Hessman's Necklace is a rough-and-rowdy ride with a shiny 1950s sheen."--Nicky Flowers, INDIES TODAY

"Readers who enjoy retro thrillers featuring unique characters, witty dialogue, relentless suspense, and exciting action will be captivated by Hessman's Necklace, an exceptional noir novel by author Nicholas Litchfield. His latest book is an enthralling caper set in the late 1950s against a backdrop of gritty streets, diners, and seedy motels, and featuring an unscrupulous scoundrel who readers can't help but root for."--BLACKPOOL GAZETTE

"Nicholas Litchfield brings his noir characters to life with Chandleresque dialogue and Dashiell Hammett twists. A fun, fast, five-star read."--MICKEY J. CORRIGAN, author of What I Did for Love and Project XX

"Crackling dialogue and a depraved cast of characters make this a noir thriller you can't put down."--ART BELL, author of What She's Hiding

"A fast-paced enjoyable read. I pictured the anti-hero Ray as what a young Philip Marlowe might have been like, if Marlowe was hungover, had fewer moral scruples, and had turned his skills to crime instead of detective work. I won't give it away here, but trust me, the ending is fraught with suspense and surprises."--ROBERT GARNER McBREARTY, author of A Night at the Y and The Problem You Have

"Fast-paced, descriptive, with a tight plot and convincingly drawn characters throughout."--Rachel Deeming, Reedsy Discovery