Back Country - William Fuller

A few years ago, I read one of the Brad Dolan novels by William Fuller, a series published as paperback originals by Dell in the 1950s. I think it was BRAD DOLAN’S BLONDE CARGO, but I’m not sure about that. I am sure that I considered it okay at best and didn’t rush to read any more of them. However, the consistently excellent Black Gat Books line recently reprinted the first book in the series, BACK COUNTRY, with an informative introduction by Bill Pronzini, and since I have faith in the brain trust behind Black Gat, I gave it a try. I’m glad I did, because BACK COUNTRY is a solid, very enjoyable mid-Fifties hardboiled novel.

This novel introduces Brad Dolan, World War II and Korean War vet, former advertising man, and generally a knock-around sort of guy who’s driving through Florida, drifting aimlessly while he tries to recover from a nasty break-up with his wife, who is a beautiful New York City model. Brad finds himself in a town called Cartersville, meets a beautiful blonde in a gambling joint, has some trouble, and winds up running afoul of the local law. But he also meets the local kingpin, a rich man named Rand Ringo (who happens to be married to the blonde from the gambling joint). Brad, at loose ends, goes to work for Ringo even though he knows the man is a crook, because he hopes to cut himself in for a slice of the action and also because Ringo has a beautiful daughter, as well.

You know how it goes from there. The plot twists, Brad finds himself conflicted (because he’s really not as amoral as he thinks he is), he winds up framed for murder, and there’s a lot of sweaty passion to go with the mix of small-town corruption and violence.

And I thoroughly enjoyed every page of it, because Fuller, like John D. MacDonald, Harry Whittington, Charles Williams, Day Keene, and many others from that era, can flat-out write. Brad Dolan is a very engaging narrator/protagonist, smart, well-read, almost poetic at times, and plenty tough when he needs to be. The pace is actually fairly leisurely and the book doesn’t completely kick in right away, but getting there is still a nice ride before an even better build-up of genuine suspense.

BACK COUNTRY doesn’t really read like the first book of a series, but maybe Fuller liked Brad Dolan so much that he couldn’t resist writing more about him. I can understand that. This one is well worth reading and I give it a high recommendation.