Eyes That Watch You

 Eyes That Watch You (1952) by William Irish (Cornell Woolrich)

A short collection of Woolrich stories that emphasize the psychological nature of his work as well as the attention to detail. I was surprised that there were no repeats from an earlier collection that I reviewed and I enjoyed this collection very much. ★★★★

"Eyes That Watch You": A paralyzed woman who can neither speak nor communicate in any way (such as writing or sign language) overhears her daughter-in-law plotting with her lover to kill the woman's son. She can't save him but does manage to work with the detective on the case to bring the crime home to the culprits. (one gassed)

"Stuck": Two gangsters think they've found a fool-proof way to frame a man for a murder they commit. But they don't take into account the rule-breaking maid who works in the hotel where the murder takes place. (one stabbed)

"Charlie Won't Be Home Tonight": When a hold-up man known as the Phantom eludes the police for weeks, Captain Keene begins to suspect that the man has been hiding in plain sight--right in his own house.

"Murder with a U": Proving a man's death is murder instead of the apparent suicide the other police officers and the medical examiner declare it to be relies on Detective Bright's observation of an extra "U." [two shot]

"All at Once, No Alice" by Cornell Woolrich: Our narrator, Jimmy Cannon, fell head over heels in love with Alice Brown and his feelings were returned. So, after a very (VERY) short courtship, they elope--are married by a justice of the peace along the way and due to a shortage of hotel space in the town where they land for their honeymoon, have to sleep apart on their honeymoon. When Jimmy goes to collect his new bride the next morning, she's gone. And so is all trace that she ever existed. Only one man believes him...but will they find her in time?

"Damned Clever, These Americans": Frisco is a talented robber on the run from American authorities. He finds himself in a nice little Central American country with no extradition rights and thinks he's safe. But he's not happy that there isn't even a bank to knock off. Then he hears about Senor Zacata who has a nice, tidy haul of gold stashed at his hacienda. He thinks it will be easy pickings. He may be wrong.... [one shot]

"Flat Tire": Nick Demetrios, a Greek restaurant owner, is upset. Ever since Joe Markham opened his restaurant across the street profits are not only down, they're non-existent. So, he hires an expert in accidents to arrange a fatal one for his business rival. He's worried about the risk of being found out--but the experts assures him that he knows his job and absolutely nothing can go wrong. Famous last words.... [one hit on head]

First line (1st story): The house was a pleasant two-story suburban affair. set in its own plot of ground, not close enough to its neighbors to impair privacy and seclusion, but not far enough away to be lonely or isolated.

Last line (last story): The Greek had to be held back by all three of them from committing a second murder then and there.