THE DOLL'S BAD NEWS. By James Hadley Chase

Fenner - A ladies' man !

Dave Fenner - intrepid investigator, and humane to boot in his own way. He can be ruthless, and takes human life every now and then. Yet the ladies always find him so attractive and nice. I found this particularly fascinating in this work. A few samples here:

Starting with him meeting the lady, Curly early on. "...She was a blonde and her big gash-like mouth was very red with paint". Soon she is saying, "I like you. You've got nice eyes". And a bit later on, we read:

"She leaned towards him, raising her face; so because he thought she was pretty good, he kissed her. She wound her arms around his neck and held him. They stood like that for several minutes... She stood looking at him, breathing hard. "I guess I am crazy" she said, colour suddenly flooding her face..."

Some time later Fenner would meet Glorie Leadler, a young, gorgeous woman men drool over. Perhaps we should not be surprised again, that from the very beginning she likes our Fenner. Hear her talking aloud:

'"I think he's marvellous. I think he is absolutely, incredibly marvellous"

And she adds for good measure, even embarrassing Fenner: "He's the most beautiful thing I've seen. Look at his arms. Look at the size of them. Look at the set of his neck - the way he holds his head..."

Not too surprisingly, she finds her way to Fenner’s room, and bed. He does not seem to like her much, though she assures him that she would "grow on him". Certainly not for want of trying on her part, as we find out:

"She lay with her red-gold head on the pillow and looked up at him. She looked suddenly very young and defenceless. She said, 'I want to whisper'.

Fenner shook his head. 'Try another one. That one has whiskers on it.'

She reached up her two arms. 'Please!'

He bent his head and she kissed him. Her lips felt very soft against his. It was just a youthful kiss, and Fenner quite liked it..."

Lucky bloke! lol.

- Paul Lothane