James M. Cain
James M. Cain was one of the founding fathers of hard-boiled American crime fiction, writing brutal, sexually-charged noir classics that were hugely influential on film noir. The Postman Always Rings Twice and Double Indemnity are two of the most perfectly constructed crime novels ever written. His work was admired by Raymond Chandler and translated into French by Albert Camus.
Works
- The Postman Always Rings TwiceHard-boiled noir novel of infidelity and murder on the California coast
- Double IndemnityNoir novel of an insurance salesman and seductress plotting murder for financial gain
- Mildred PierceNoir novel of a woman clawing her way from waitress to restaurant owner through manipulation and ambition
- SerenadeNoir novel of a boxer's passion, jealousy, and downfall in post-war America
- Past All Dishonor
- The Butterfly