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John J. Malone #9
The Fourth Postman
John J. Malone, down and out alcoholic lawyer, is called to serve as legal advisor to wealthy Roderick Fairfaxx after three postmen have been murdered and a fourth assaulted.
228 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1948
13 people are currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Craig Rice
118Ìýbooks55ÌýfollowersPseudonym for Georgiana Ann Randolph Craig aka Daphne Sanders and Michael Venning.
Known for her hard-boiled mystery plots combined with screwball comedy, Georgiana 'Craig' Rice was the author of twenty-three novels, six of them posthumous, numerous short stories, and some true crime pieces. In the 1940s she rivaled Agatha Christie in sales and was featured on the cover of Time Magazine in 1946. However, over the past sixty years she has fallen into relative obscurity.
Known for her hard-boiled mystery plots combined with screwball comedy, Georgiana 'Craig' Rice was the author of twenty-three novels, six of them posthumous, numerous short stories, and some true crime pieces. In the 1940s she rivaled Agatha Christie in sales and was featured on the cover of Time Magazine in 1946. However, over the past sixty years she has fallen into relative obscurity.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
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September 18, 2024Eh, not my favorite, but it definitely has some funny moments. The mystery didn't completely work for me, but I have to be honest that I was reading it in fits and starts, so that could be on me.
October 23, 2017
Screwball comedies are not my thing, especially when the antics are fueled by heavy drinking. Nick and Nora Charles, of , had fantastic razor-sharp repartee, while Malone and his cohorts struggle under the weight of running gags, near slapstick, and weirdly self-destructive behavior.
June 9, 2020
Typical screwball comedy with Malone and Jake & Helene Justice. Not as funny as some of the others but with the wonderfully tangled up dialogue from the 3 protagonists that is usually the result of heavy drinking. It's too bad that the late 40's film industry wasn't able to film adaptations of some of these books that really captured that surreal fast paced chatter and their strange brand of morals and ethics that still manages in having them usually do the right thing. The three films based on the books didn't really capture the essence of these characters although they weren't bad films. Only one had all 3 characters, the other two just had Malone. I see them as a more serious version of "The Thin Man" while being even more madcap at the same time. Of course you would need to suspend the Hayes Code for these films to really work. The 3 actors that played Malone were Pat O’Brien, Brian Donlevy and James Whitmore. Not who I would have picked. I envision a cross between Pat O'Brien and Groucho Marx with the ability to quickly spew out the quips like the early Gary Grant. Unfortunately I haven't been able to locate any actor fitting that description around that time.
June 1, 2024
The Best Of The Malone Series So Far
I’m reading Craig Rice’s John J. Malone series in order, and for me this is the best one so far. The mystery is both clever and entertaining, the supporting characters are fun and interesting, ant the writing is, as always, top notch. The regular cast of Malone and his friends Jake and Helene Justus are, of course, all present, though Malone is definitely the star this time out, with Helene more or less a bit player and Jake stuck at home with chicken pox through most of the book. All in all, a great 1940s mystery set in Chicago’s upper crust, where things aren’t always as they seem.
I’m reading Craig Rice’s John J. Malone series in order, and for me this is the best one so far. The mystery is both clever and entertaining, the supporting characters are fun and interesting, ant the writing is, as always, top notch. The regular cast of Malone and his friends Jake and Helene Justus are, of course, all present, though Malone is definitely the star this time out, with Helene more or less a bit player and Jake stuck at home with chicken pox through most of the book. All in all, a great 1940s mystery set in Chicago’s upper crust, where things aren’t always as they seem.
September 17, 2019
Some mysteries open with a murdered body and some make us wait a bit while the author sets the scene and introduces the characters. Sometimes there's a second or third murder later in the book, just to keep the reader's attention. Agatha Christie was a big believer in the "Bring on another body" school of plot development.
Craig Rice NEVER followed the herd and this one opens with THREE murders. And we never learn any of their names. They're simply postmen who made the mistake of taking a shortcut through the wrong alley and were murdered. Not sure why the second and third victims would go down that alley after the first guy was killed there. Maybe if you're on your feet all day a shortcut that saves a few steps is worth the risk.
Or maybe they were lulled into complaisance because the alley runs between two large, expensive mansions. The people who live on that street are RICH, for Pete's sake. Rich people aren't murderers, are they?
Chicago defense Lawyer John J. Malone has met all kinds of murderers. He's brought into this odd case by Captain von Flanagan, who's about to make an arrest, but not sure he wants the "perp" to be convicted. Mr. Rodney Fairfaxx is such a gentle old man; generous to his family and obsessed with his stamp collection. Unfortunately, he's convinced that he will shortly receive a letter from his long-lost sweetheart, who went down with the Titanic. Mr. Rodney believes that she survived and will be contacting him. It's 1948, so that's possible, although unlikely.
His family (all dependent on his generosity) humor his little quirk, but when three postmen in a row are bumped off in the alley beside the Fairfaxx mansion, it begins to look like old Rodney may be crazier than they thought. Is he angry at the Postal Service for not delivering that letter from the lovely Annie? Rodney Fairfaxx is the easiest arrest ever made in Chicago and no one could be more polite about the whole thing. Malone is confident he can get an "innocent by reason of insanity" judgement and a nice room at a well-run hospital for the likable old guy. There's sure to be a big fee and (as always) Malone desperately needs the money.
Then things get complicated. A stray dog in the murder alley latches onto Malone and won't let go. And he's a bigger booze-hound than the little lawyer himself. What a perfect pair.
Of course, the rest of the family are eventually suspects. Nephew Kenneth is divorced from the lovely Glida (pronounced G-i-l-d-a and just wait 'til you meet her) and engaged to the not-so-lovely Gay. They're cousins and part of the Lacy family next door. The Fairfax family and the Lacy family are connected in some expected ways and some unexpected ones, too. Matriarch Abbey Lacy is determined that HER daughter will inherit the Fairfaxx fortune and she's hands-down the toughest person in the neighborhood.
Niece Elizabeth is a long-legged beauty - the product of a Fairfaxx marriage to a gorgeous actress. The actress disappeared soon after her daughter's birth and is supposed to be living in California, but Malone soon figures out that she's hiding in plain sight. Uncle Ernie is Rodney's half-brother and penniless except for his allowance and (maybe) expectations. But he turns out to have some valuable information, if only he lives long enough to tell it.
Every one of them could have bumped off the mailmen and then there's the Lacy's butler, Boris Karloff look-alike Huntleigh. He shows up in chapter 11, determined to save his beloved family and he doesn't care who he has to run over to do it. Ask Malone.
And naturally, socialite Helene Brand Justus is right in the middle of the action. She went to school with the Lacy girls and knows both families and their secrets. And even though her husband Jake Justus has chicken pox, she's GOING to be involved in this investigation and there's nothing Malone can do about it.
This is surely one of the funniest of Craig Rice's books and that's saying something. By the end of the book, I'd pretty much lost the plot and when the murderer is revealed, I was a bit fuzzy about the motive. Still am, but it doesn't make any difference. It's a wonderfully enjoyable read and that's all Rice was going for. If you like eccentricity, you'll love this one.
Craig Rice NEVER followed the herd and this one opens with THREE murders. And we never learn any of their names. They're simply postmen who made the mistake of taking a shortcut through the wrong alley and were murdered. Not sure why the second and third victims would go down that alley after the first guy was killed there. Maybe if you're on your feet all day a shortcut that saves a few steps is worth the risk.
Or maybe they were lulled into complaisance because the alley runs between two large, expensive mansions. The people who live on that street are RICH, for Pete's sake. Rich people aren't murderers, are they?
Chicago defense Lawyer John J. Malone has met all kinds of murderers. He's brought into this odd case by Captain von Flanagan, who's about to make an arrest, but not sure he wants the "perp" to be convicted. Mr. Rodney Fairfaxx is such a gentle old man; generous to his family and obsessed with his stamp collection. Unfortunately, he's convinced that he will shortly receive a letter from his long-lost sweetheart, who went down with the Titanic. Mr. Rodney believes that she survived and will be contacting him. It's 1948, so that's possible, although unlikely.
His family (all dependent on his generosity) humor his little quirk, but when three postmen in a row are bumped off in the alley beside the Fairfaxx mansion, it begins to look like old Rodney may be crazier than they thought. Is he angry at the Postal Service for not delivering that letter from the lovely Annie? Rodney Fairfaxx is the easiest arrest ever made in Chicago and no one could be more polite about the whole thing. Malone is confident he can get an "innocent by reason of insanity" judgement and a nice room at a well-run hospital for the likable old guy. There's sure to be a big fee and (as always) Malone desperately needs the money.
Then things get complicated. A stray dog in the murder alley latches onto Malone and won't let go. And he's a bigger booze-hound than the little lawyer himself. What a perfect pair.
Of course, the rest of the family are eventually suspects. Nephew Kenneth is divorced from the lovely Glida (pronounced G-i-l-d-a and just wait 'til you meet her) and engaged to the not-so-lovely Gay. They're cousins and part of the Lacy family next door. The Fairfax family and the Lacy family are connected in some expected ways and some unexpected ones, too. Matriarch Abbey Lacy is determined that HER daughter will inherit the Fairfaxx fortune and she's hands-down the toughest person in the neighborhood.
Niece Elizabeth is a long-legged beauty - the product of a Fairfaxx marriage to a gorgeous actress. The actress disappeared soon after her daughter's birth and is supposed to be living in California, but Malone soon figures out that she's hiding in plain sight. Uncle Ernie is Rodney's half-brother and penniless except for his allowance and (maybe) expectations. But he turns out to have some valuable information, if only he lives long enough to tell it.
Every one of them could have bumped off the mailmen and then there's the Lacy's butler, Boris Karloff look-alike Huntleigh. He shows up in chapter 11, determined to save his beloved family and he doesn't care who he has to run over to do it. Ask Malone.
And naturally, socialite Helene Brand Justus is right in the middle of the action. She went to school with the Lacy girls and knows both families and their secrets. And even though her husband Jake Justus has chicken pox, she's GOING to be involved in this investigation and there's nothing Malone can do about it.
This is surely one of the funniest of Craig Rice's books and that's saying something. By the end of the book, I'd pretty much lost the plot and when the murderer is revealed, I was a bit fuzzy about the motive. Still am, but it doesn't make any difference. It's a wonderfully enjoyable read and that's all Rice was going for. If you like eccentricity, you'll love this one.
May 4, 2020
She is the best
It was the last one of John Malone Mystery - I have read them all now and I am going to restart from the beginning again. There is not only no one like her in the annals of mystery writing, there is no one even remotely like her.
It was the last one of John Malone Mystery - I have read them all now and I am going to restart from the beginning again. There is not only no one like her in the annals of mystery writing, there is no one even remotely like her.
June 6, 2017
The climax and reveal is a bit of a letdown, but otherwise it's a masterpiece of screwball mysteries.
September 12, 2018
Another from the golden era, paperback mysteries from the the forties and fifties. This one featured the lawyer, J.J. Malone, who is always fun. Revisiting my youth.
January 29, 2023
This book made me laugh so many times and I really felt like I got to know the author (Georgiana Ann Randolph Craig), and her sass and sarcasm in her writing is absolutely amazing.
July 10, 2023
This Craig Rice was a bit chatty for me, but other than that, I enjoyed the mystery.
July 23, 2022
This reads like a 1940’s grade B movie complete with screwball, slapstick comedy. The comedic portions were fuelled by alcohol, lots of alcohol - even the dog drank.
A redeeming feature of this book, for me, was that I listened to it on audio and the narrator, Johnny Heller, did an excellent job.
Extra: some bawdy talk, lots of cussing.
*Read for a Crime-spree challenge/ American authors
A redeeming feature of this book, for me, was that I listened to it on audio and the narrator, Johnny Heller, did an excellent job.
Extra: some bawdy talk, lots of cussing.
*Read for a Crime-spree challenge/ American authors
August 18, 2013
It was released in 1948, fifteen years after the end of prohibition. Orgies of alcohol were really out of fashion. Perhaps more than that, the talents of Craig Rice were in decline. Call Ms. Rice many things, but she was no hypocrite. She practiced the wild hard drinking lifestyle her books uplift and perhaps that caused a decline of her writing ability ahead of her too early death.
Jake Justus was the main on-stage character in The Corpse Steps Out and had been relegated to third banana. He finally married the wealthy woman sometime after that book and seems to have become a shiftless derelict whose main scene involved waltzing into the crime scene with a murder weapon while in a drunken stupor.
Malone investigates the case somewhat ably in his constantly pickled state. The book is a notch below The Corpse Steps Out with no real likable characters and even more of its humor falling flat.
Jake Justus was the main on-stage character in The Corpse Steps Out and had been relegated to third banana. He finally married the wealthy woman sometime after that book and seems to have become a shiftless derelict whose main scene involved waltzing into the crime scene with a murder weapon while in a drunken stupor.
Malone investigates the case somewhat ably in his constantly pickled state. The book is a notch below The Corpse Steps Out with no real likable characters and even more of its humor falling flat.
April 16, 2014
Continuing my tour of "Golden Era" mystery writers, I come to Craig Rice. This one is part of her John J. Malone series, a hard-boiled detective style combined with much humor resulting in a sort of screwball detective series. I found this novel to be more about the humorous situations and characters than the mystery itself, but that was fine. It's good to see that not all mysteries of that era are the same.
April 6, 2016
Quirky and enjoyable, though the story is mostly about the adventures of the protagonist and less about the mystery.
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