SAFER DEAD. By James Hadley Chase

I have never really been a fan of Chase books, but accept that so many male readers in Africa love the author. I can read him sometimes, like now, but it seems the author believed women are always dangerous, and he often exaggerated their attractions.

And in the process he often contradicted himself I think. In this novel eg the young "Madame", Cornelia Van Blake is depicted as a femme fatale. Yet it is clear throughout the work that she is very cold, hostile, and never smiles. Yet she is incredibly attractive! How? 

Even the way she is described rings false to me: "She was around 26, small, compact...there was a flame burning within her that made her more than a beautiful woman...it made her alive, desirable seductive and feminine (like) Helen of Troy..."

Really? A small, compact, cold woman with an irresistible burning flame? Please!!

- Lupna Avery