The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope

In The Rat Began to Gnaw the Rope, attorney Gil Henry doesn’t know what he’s gotten himself into when Ruth McClure walks into his office asking him to look into the value of the stock her father left her. It seems like such a small thing, but within hours of taking the case he’s had his tire shot out, been punched in the face, hit over the head multiple times and come across a few dead bodies. The case keeps getting bigger and ends up involving the most prominent family in town, who have more than a few secrets to hide. Gil might not be a looker, but he is determined and will follow these threads wherever they lead.

I feel bad that I had never heard of C.W. Grafton before because, although this is an old mystery story written in 1943, it is fantastic. Gil Henry is perfect. He’s self-deprecating and sarcastic, dogged and smart. You can’t help but like him. Grafton’s ability with metaphors is spot on, and he perfectly captured the hard-boiled detective story that makes instant classics. I am so glad that the Library of Congress is reprinting these crime classics so that they won’t be forgotten. With such an unusual title, I wasn’t sure myself what I was getting into, but I am so happy I read this. This book is the perfect addition to anyone’s mystery library, and I highly recommend you meet Gil Henry yourself.