cover image Dial M for Matrimony

Dial M for Matrimony

Carroll McKnight. Pulpwood (www.pulpwoodpress.com), $26.99 (246p) ISBN 978-1-888146-43-1

McKnight brings his knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the films of Alfred Hitchcock to his flawed first novel. Kelly “Hitch” Reville, a North Florida State College film student who works as a crime-scene videographer for the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, is shocked to learn of the murder of fellow student David Hogan, which was captured on the victim’s own camera. Hitch notes that David’s death scene is similar to one in Rope. Soon after, Hitch thwarts an attempt on the life of student Grant Devlin that echoes another Hitchcock movie. Later, Hitch and other film students gather on a small, isolated island to celebrate Grant’s wedding, but an uninvited guest, self-styled the Director, sets the stage for more Hitchcockian attacks, which modeled on scenes from Rear Window, Psycho, etc. The solution may disappoint veteran mystery readers, but Hitchcock fans should have fun. [em](Oct.) [/em]