Hammer here. My take on Image of Evil, by Paul Russo
Some books are like a cheap whiskey, a quick, burning shot that leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth. Paul V. Russo’s Image of Evil from 1963 is one of those. It’s a dirty little secret, a piece of paperback scum from a time when they didn’t need a fancy name for what they were selling.
Image of Evil drops you right into the middle of a bad situation, with a dame named Leona. She’s got a husband, a big house, and a smile that could fool the devil himself. But that smile hides a lot more than just a little trouble. She’s the kind of woman who uses people like they’re a fresh pack of cigarettes, just to be lit up and tossed aside. Her game is luring in men and women alike, pulling them into a web of her own making, a web spun from bad intentions and worse decisions.
This isn’t about a grand mystery or a hero with a conscience. It’s about the poison that sits just beneath the surface of a seemingly clean life. It’s a look at the kind of people who find their kicks in the misery of others, and it’s a cold reminder that evil doesn’t always walk around in a black suit. Sometimes, it’s wearing a pretty dress and hosting a dinner party.
Russo writes with a pen dipped in cynicism, and he tells a story that doesn’t waste time on a happy ending. It’s a raw, stripped-down look at a kind of depravity that was probably more common than anyone wanted to admit. If you’re looking for a book that’s not afraid to get its hands dirty, you’ve found it. But don’t say I didn’t warn you. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, and you won’t feel clean after you turn the last page.
- Thrilling Detective Magazine 1953
- Image of Evil 1963 by Paul Russo
- Gripping Detective Stories 1954-03
