Up Jumped the Devil (Argosy Library)

Rex McBride's detour to San Francisco becomes a relentless fight for survival when he finds a dead man in his hotel room and his prized Gladstone bag slashed. Up Jumped the Devil is a taut hardboiled detective novel steeped in pulp noir atmosphere, where a missing Adelphi necklace draws McBride into a web of crooked cops, socialites with secrets, and mob muscle led by Sean O'Hara. Cleve F. Adams keeps the pace propulsive: private investigator McBride hustles between glittering WPB salons and fogbound alleys, trading barbed wit for brass-knuckled brawls as he unravels insurance fraud, blackmail, and murder. Fans of classic mystery and 1940s noir will relish the crisp dialogue, tough-talking protagonist, and cinematic plotting that made Rex McBride a natural for radio adaptation. This crime thriller blends detective work with high-stakes suspense, delivering a lean, atmospheric read perfect for lovers of vintage pulp and modern noir rediscoveries. If you want a hardboiled private investigator novel with sharp plotting, period detail, and nonstop action, Up Jumped the Devil is a must-read for collectors of pulp noir, crime fiction enthusiasts, and anyone hunting an unputdownable mystery. Discover Rex McBride's gritty voice and old-school detective craft.