Safe Return Doubtful

Published 1971 – American Literature

I’m a big Willeford fan, and yet it was a surprise to me that as well as being a writer, he was a painter as well. Other than his Hoke Moseley novels, this may be the most famous of his other work, though that accolade comes, most likely, because of the film adaptation of 2019.
I really enjoyed it, but I don’t think it’s the best of the rest of his output, by any means (for me, Pick-Up and Cockfighter)

James Figueras is a little known art critic, though he has managed to get a posting to Palm Beach but he’s burdened with dim prospects and an annoying girlfriend, Berenice Hollis. Nonetheless, he is on the lookout for his big break and it comes when he receives information that one of the most influential, but enigmatic, artists of the Twentieth Century has moved to Florida, one Jacques Debierue. A big collector offers to tell him where to find the him, but only if he will steal one of the artist’s works in exchange for the location.

It’s more than just a well written crime novel though, Willeford delivers a satirical take on Modern Art and the pseudo-intellectual theories that led to its beginning.

It’s also got that Willeford touch, an unexpected dark twist delivered in a deadpan manner that makes you doubt you read what you actually did, and go back and read it again, several times..

My GoodReads score 4 / 5