The Big Heat

1988, British trade paperback reprint edition (of a work first published in 1953), Simon & Schuster, London. 183 pages. Suspense novel. Anyone who has ever seen the fine film made from this excellent book will remember that very special cast, which included Glenn Ford, Gloria Grahame, and a young, startling Lee Marvin. Here is a suspense novel very much about police corruption, psychopaths, and crooked cops on every corner. McGivern was an excellent writer who saw 10 of his novels adapted for the screen. He later wrote screenplays himself. The Big Heat is his best novel, followed closely by the memorable Odds Against Tomorrow.