THE TAKE; A Novel by Eugene Izzi

New York: St. Martin's Press, 1987. First Edition, First Printing. Boards. Fine/Very Fine. SIGNED by the AUTHOR with "Best Wishes," 8vo, black boards with gold lettering on spine, Mylar-protected photographic dust jacket (unclipped) by George Corsillo, [viii] + 246 pages + [2] Anout the Author. AUTHOR'S FIRST CELEBRATED CRIME NOVEL! "Eugene Izzi has written the BEST NOVEL OF VICE AND VIOLENCE [my italics] since the heyday of James M. Cain!"--Robert Bloch, author of Psycho. Eugene Izzi (March 23, 1953 - December 7, 1996) was an American crime writer. A lifelong resident of Chicago, Izzi wrote in the classic hard-boiled style made famous by Mickey Spillane and Dashiell Hammett. Despite moderate popularity, he is best known for the unusual circumstances surrounding his death. On December 7, 1996, Izzi was found hanged, his body dangling outside the 14th-story window of his writing office in downtown Chicago. When his body was discovered, Izzi was wearing a bulletproof vest. In his pockets, investigators found brass knuckles, a can of "disabling spray" (likely mace or pepper spray), and a computer disc containing an unfinished manuscript. Although officially ruled a suicide, the strange manner of Izzi's death have led to numerous conspiracy theories. The bizarre scene is said to resemble one portrayed in the unfinished manuscript. EXCEPTIONAL CONDITION internally & externally! With an additional Certificate of Authenticity by Izzi's wife laid in.