James Thurber, one of the greatest American humorists, was not a man to shrink from danger -- as long as he was safely ensconced behind his typewriter or drawing board. Thurber on Crime is a collection of the master's ruminations on everyday villainy: stories, articles, essays, drawings, and reflections on the evil that men and women do. Several of the pieces are appearing here for the first time in book form.
One of Thurber's major contributions to American letters is his view of the "little man" -- Walter Mitty and his brothers -- doing battle with the world. In the pages of Thurber on Crime, the little man fights international spies, gets mixed up in gangland vendettas, and plans the perfect murder.
In such marvels of black humour as "The Catbird Seat" and "Mr. Preble Gets Rid of His Wife", the author examines the phenomena that cause the little man to want to get his hands around the throat of the little woman -- and vice versa. Thurber's abilities as a New Yorker journalist are on display in "Izzy and Moe" and "A Glimpse of the Flatpaws". And sprinkled throughout are the inimitable sketches and drawings ... including several in print for the first time, supplied to The Mysterious Press by the Thurber estate.
Thurber on Crime is required reading for every student of American humour ... and for every mystery fan.