The Price of Murder — John D. MacDonald

John D. MacDonald's The Price of Murder features a complex plot told in a multiple-character format. Published in 1957 as a paperback original, The Price of Murder begins with the troubled marriage of English college professor Lee Bronson and his vapid wife, Lucille. But quickly the novel changes gears as Lee's brother, Danny, violates his parole. That plot element introduces a psychopathic killer. John D. MacDonald blends in a third sub-plot involving the payoff money from a kidnapping. For fans of the Travis McGee series, the signature convoluted plot shows up in The Price of Murder to maximum effect. Although this is an early Dell original, John D. MacDonald displays his classic story-telling powers in this powerful novel.