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Title: Pretty good Lew Archer Mystery (but without Lew Archer)
Review: Ross MacDonald is quite well known for his series of mysteries starring Lew Archer as the erstwhile detective. In this kidnapping / murder mystery, the Lew Archer stand-in is a probation officer who admits he lives on several sides at once. This novel shares several themes with his Lew Archer series. One's past sins do come back to bite you; women inevitably ruin their life with the wrong man; and an absent father will reappear in one's life. The dark atmosphere is also present in this novel. It is a very enjoyable read. MacDonald has an excellent ear for dialogue and detail.
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