Duckus rated Double Indemnity: 5 stars
Double Indemnity by James M. Cain (Vintage crime/Black Lizard)
Double Indemnity is a 1943 crime novel by American journalist-turned-novelist James M. Cain. It was first published in serial form …
A good Aussie mystery, great portrayal of the environment and the people when placed against the backdrop of a king standing drought.
I read this because people are interested in teaching the novel as a case of Australian representation. Apparently the students loved it last semester and I can see why.
Characters are well written, and quite believable in almost all regards. They’re deeply flawed people - recognisably normal without stretching it.
The mystery is solid. Some parts you anticipate and others you don’t. I rolled my eyes maybe once or twice, but the story progresses quite well with some real page turner moments.
But it’s another mystery that could’ve been solved earlier if people just bloody well communicated.
Would I read it again? Maybe. Would I teach it with a class? Absolutely.