Movie based on the novel (Angel Heart) seems to be better known than the book. And that is a pity because this is one excellent thriller with supernatural elements that are scary but not in overtly (slasher like) way. Some of the elements of the story and definitely characters are much better presented in the novel (IMHO).

I won't go into details here because, unfortunately, both book and movie suffer from what I call Sixth Sense Syndrome - once seen/read (and if you have seen the movie before reading the book - like I have - you made the greatest offense :)) you need to fully forget it to enjoy it again (and since it is truly interesting story I bet you wont forget it that easily :)).

Our main hero, PI Harry Angelo, gets hired by a mysterious figure to find even more mysterious singer who is thought to be dead for decade. Task starts relatively routinely but soon Harry starst to see weird behavior and patterns with people he meets and questions. Soon he will find himself throwin into the unknown [and rather dark] world of voodoo and other rather darkish Southern/Caribbean religions and people beliefs. Final revelation will hit him like a sledge hammer.

Written in the best manner of noir detective books, story flows very fast and reader gets glued to the pages 'til the very end. Harry is pretty street-wise (although he gets into decent amount of predicaments) and quite a smart mouth so dialogues do get very interesting (not that the other sides in conversation dont have quips and remarks of their own). I especially enjoyed conversations Harry has with his employer.

Highly recommended. ( )

Ugh gimme a hard boiled occult mystery that isn't racist

Yay libraries! (This is also on sale as of this typing, 11/8/21.)

Alas, I'm not the audience for this one. DNF at 22%. I caught myself skimming through descriptions, and thought about the plot so far, realized I don't care, and thus it was time to toss this one back into the library.

I'm sure it's very accurate, which I appreciate. Just, not enough to wade through a bunch more descriptions to get anywhere. It didn't help that I was coming to dislike the point of view character, but to me that's less important.

If you like historically accurate descriptions of 1940s NYC and PI mystery and murder, this might be for you. ( )

58-1

If you like your horror laced with more than a little private dick noir then Falling Angel is the novel for you. Sucker private eye Harry Angel should have brushed up on his basic satanist symbolism as his "client" Louis Cypher (get it?) has him trying to find out if missing vegetable crooner Johnny Favorite is alive or dead and where he is. See Johnny "owes" something to the not so enigmatic Mr. Cypher.

The symbolism was a little heavy handed in this one and the fact that Angel doesn't know what the Hell he's looking at when the reader does stretches the imagination a bit. Given all that, and the fact that the key plot twist is telegraphed a little early, this is one hell of a twisty plot as everyone eventually gets their due. I'm still not sure if I understand the motive and circumstances of each murder, it seems like there are multiple plot holes to me, but I'm a little slow too. Oh, and I'm not sure why Mr. Cypher doesn't just take what is his from the start. What's holding him back? Unless he's not who he says he is (unlikely), in which case the prime motive for the entire novel is shot to hell.

Anyway the noir angle is pretty nicely done. Hjortsberg is no Raymond Chandler but the noir stuff is good enough to be a lot of fun. Angel is a real character to the reader. The suspense is good for 90% of the book (until I figured out what was really going on), and still holds out somewhat from there on since you don't know exactly what's going to happen.

The book will pretty much depress you as you realize everyone was doomed from the start, but then everyone is playing with something they shouldn't be too. I still enjoyed it immensely.

Oh and this was the basis for the movie Angel Heart which pretty much follows the book faithfully. ( )