After Dark, My Sweet
Cover Artist: Ray JohnsonBy: Thompson, Jim
Publisher: Popular Library (716)
Place of Publication:New York, NY
Catalog #: Kelley Box 381: PS3539 .H6733 A69 1955
Contributor: W. Prout
General
Era: 1950sAuthor as on Cover: Jim Thompson
Publication:1955
Original Date: 1955
Setting: suburban; city's edge; not quite the suburbs
Plot Summary
Drifting through a small city, Bill "Kid" Collins, an ex-prize fighter who recently walked away from a psychiatric institution, enters a bar and spins a story in an attempt to hitch a ride. Fay Anderson, a patron at the bar, recognizes Collins as an out-of-work drifter and invites him back to her house where she and Uncle Bud try to set Collins up in a kidnapping caper. Collins recognizes the set-up and he takes steps to double cross the double crossers.Major Characters
Charles Vanderventer III male, 7 year old child, small for his age, weak, pale, diabeticWilliam Collins "Kid," adult male, blonde, slim, very attractive, ex-boxer, now an out-of-work drifter; anti-hero character, not a good guy yet not one of the really bad guys
Fay Anderson adult female, dark hair, very attractive, widow, no occupation
Uncle Bud aka Garret Stroker, adult male, prematurely grey, winning smile, everybody's friend, con man
Doc Goldman adult male, slight suggestion of homosexual tendency, older, pleasant, physician
Bert adult male, middle-aged, big, burly, bartender