C. W. Grafton (1909–1982)

THE RAT BEGAN TO GNAW THE ROPE by C W Grafton
Originally published in 1943, this crime novel is considered a classic of the genre and written by the father of the late novelist Sue Grafton of the A,B,C mysteries.
Gil, a newish lawyer, is embroiled in murder and mayhem when all he thought he was investigating was a simple stock value. Ruth, his client, inherited the stock from her father. Ruth’s brother becomes involved as the questions and danger quickly escalate along with a few laughs.
A fast moving and award winning crime novel that will keep you guessing at motive and perpetrator. A fast and fun read written by a master of the genre.
5 of 5 stars… (meer)

A hard-boiled, but slightly whacky who-dunnit-how written in the 1940's, by the father of Sue Grafton. C. W. Grafton was a lawyer, as is his reluctant sleuth, Gil Henry, who falls into a nasty mess of deception and violence when an innocent young woman comes seeking his help. As good as a lot of the better known stuff from Erle Stanley Gardner or Ellery Queen, I think. This novel is part of the Library of Congress Crime Classics series, which is a project to reprint earlier near-forgotten examples of American crime fiction. It comes with footnotes to explain contemporary references that might not click with modern readers, as well as the "outmoded language and stereotypes" we might find offensive. I didn't need all that, but I understand the editorial intent when bringing some of this era's works back into print.… (meer)

I picked up this book on the recommendation of a trusted source and also because C.W. Grafton is the father of Sue Grafton. It is an honest portrayal of America on the eve of its entry into World War II and therefore may offend some readers occasionally. I choose not to become offended, instead deciding to be happy that we've moved away from that way of thought and behavior. (But honestly, there are not many such instances.)

What I found was a well-written, fast-paced mystery that kept me guessing. Wonder of wonders-- I enjoyed it. Any hardboiled or noir mysteries of this period usually bore me to tears. I find them pretentious and formulaic, but one of the main reasons why I didn't find The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope to be that way was due to Grafton's light touch and marvelous sense of humor.

This Library of Congress Crime Classic is packed with extras: a foreword, introduction, footnotes, something about the war, a reading group guide, a section on further reading, and a few pages about the author. I have to be honest and say that I didn't read all of them, but what I did read was informative, and I found the footnotes quite useful when I didn't quite understand certain terminology.

Yes, I did enjoy C.W. Grafton's first mystery. Am I going to start reading more hardboiled mysteries? I don't think so. They're not quite my cup of tea, although if I did find more written like this one, I just might change my mind.… (meer)