Point Blank Press aims to offer a real treat for Charles Willeford fans with a book that has not been reprinted since its original publication: 1958’s MADE IN MIAMI. Originally titled LUST IS A WOMAN, this slim novel bristles in the world of lurid, but never getting to the point of graphic.
The story centers on three characters: Maria Duigan, a New York City girl vacationing in Florida with ideas of meeting men on her mind; Ralph Tone, a hotel elevator operator who works up the courage to ask her out; and Donald McKay, an older gentleman who comes across as likable … at the start.
Ralph thinks he’s got it made with Maria, taking her out for the day on a private ship. Donald turns up, since it’s his boat and sees how he can get Maria alone, with promises of going up the coast for a night of dinner and fun. She gets swept off her feet with Donald fawning over her. Well, at least that how Donald plays it off.
He offers a job opportunity to the unsuspecting girl, who sees this as her chance to cut all ties to New York. But what she never realizes are his true intentions. It’s only after she is moved into a new apartment in the hotel and later has a disagreement with Donald that he shows off his true colors. Then it becomes obvious what she has gotten herself into.
Maria is told she will have to attend special parties that Donald throws, in which she is to play a central part. Ralph tries to save her, even cajoling her friends for help, but Maria falls for the quick money. Ralph’s resulting actions are truly in step with his character, with very drastic results.
MADE IN MIAMI is a great discovery, bristling with Willeford prose throughout, and shows the writer that he’d become. But I’m guessing I’m preaching to the converted if you read this far. However, if you’ve never tried any of his stuff, this is a great starting point in a career that just got better with age. –Bruce Grossman
OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS AUTHOR:
• THE BLACK MASS OF BROTHER SPRINGER by Charles Willeford
• PICK-UP by Charles Willeford
