Nothing More Than Murder

Rating:
Summary: one of Thompson's weaker efforts (but what an ending!)...
Review: 'Nothing More Than Murder' is nothing more than a short novel by Jim Thompson which chronicles the schenanigans of the small town cinema operator, a murder (no surprise here :-)) and its aftermath. The book is at its best when after the murder everyone seemingly knows who is guilty and tries to extort money from the murderer. And the book's ending is very good, creative (without being gross).

Unfortunately throughout the book the author gives us an exhaustively detailed lesson on the business aspects of operating a movie theater circa 1950. While certainly those interested in the film trade from a historical perspective (... the world has moved on with the advent of multiplex cinemas and high tech video equipment), I fear most folks will find it tiresome. I personally lost interest in it rather quickly.

Bottom line: lots of dull, overly detailed chatter almost spoils this story of murder and greed. But, as with any Jim Thompson novel, it is still a worthy read.

Rating:
Summary: one of Thompson's weaker efforts (but what an ending!)...
Review: 'Nothing More Than Murder' is nothing more than a short novel by Jim Thompson which chronicles the schenanigans of the small town cinema operator, a murder (no surprise here :-)) and its aftermath. The book is at its best when after the murder everyone seemingly knows who is guilty and tries to extort money from the murderer. And the book's ending is very good, creative (without being gross).

Unfortunately throughout the book the author gives us an exhaustively detailed lesson on the business aspects of operating a movie theater circa 1950. While certainly those interested in the film trade from a historical perspective (... the world has moved on with the advent of multiplex cinemas and high tech video equipment), I fear most folks will find it tiresome. I personally lost interest in it rather quickly.

Bottom line: lots of dull, overly detailed chatter almost spoils this story of murder and greed. But, as with any Jim Thompson novel, it is still a worthy read.

Rating:
Summary: Reviewed By Alan Gerrard
Review: This novel is Jim Thompson at his best. A tale of small town fraud, murder, lies and adultery. Joe Wilmot is a part-owner of a small movie house with a passion for conning his employees and talking down the unions. He is a man with it all sewn up, an arrogant man with a deadly fraud in mind. But the final twist in the form of his mistress and a tenacious insurance investigator called Appleton, brings this powerful tale of suspense to a shuddering, disturbing conclusion. Very similar in places to Double Indeminity, but still Thompson at his best.

Rating:
Summary: Details of movie theater trade most intriguing
Review: Thompson's tale of fraud, murder, and adultery is unremarkable (compared to Thompson's other works) except in it's presentation of the politics of a small town. Most of all, the presentation of Joe Wilmer's job as an owner of a first-run movie theater and his dealings with the union is fascinating. This is a novel that could have only been written by Jim Thompson.

Rating:
Summary: Details of movie theater trade most intriguing
Review: Thompson's tale of fraud, murder, and adultery isunremarkable (compared to Thompson's other works) except in it's presentation of the politics of a small town. Most of all, the presentation of Joe Wilmer's job as an owner of a first-run movie theater and his dealings with the union is fascinating. This is a novel that could have only been written by Jim Thompson.