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Hit and Run
Lucille Aitkin was the kind of woman who encouraged men to run around after her and most men were more than happy to do so - so why did she suddenly want to learn to drive rather than being chauffer-driven in style? And why was Chester Scott's Cadillac covered with bloodstains on the wrong side? And at the same time, why was patrol officer O'Brien run over on a deserted beach road when he should have been on duty on the highway? It seems that somebody knows how these events are connected, and whoever it is seems intent on blackmail.
258 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1958
42 people are currently reading
1333 people want to read
About the author
James Hadley Chase
651 books987 followersRené Lodge Brabazon Raymond was born on 24th December 1906 in London, England, the son of Colonel Francis Raymond of the colonial Indian Army, a veterinary surgeon. His father intended his son to have a scientific career, was initially educated at King's School, Rochester, Kent. He left home at the age of 18 and became at different times a children's encyclopedia salesman, a salesman in a bookshop, and executive for a book wholesaler before turning to a writing career that produced more than 90 mystery books. His interests included photography (he was up to professional standard), reading and listening to classical music, being a particularly enthusiastic opera lover. Also as a form of relaxation between novels, he put together highly complicated and sophisticated Meccano models.
In 1932, Raymond married Sylvia Ray, who gave him a son. They were together until his death fifty three years later. Prohibition and the ensuing US Great Depression (1929–1939), had given rise to the Chicago gangster culture just prior to World War II. This, combined with her book trade experience, made him realise that there was a big demand for gangster stories. He wrote as R. Raymond, James Hadley Chase, James L. Docherty, Ambrose Grant and Raymond Marshall.
During World War II he served in the Royal Air Force, achieving the rank of Squadron Leader. Chase edited the RAF Journal with David Langdon and had several stories from it published after the war in the book Slipstream: A Royal Air Force Anthology.
Raymond moved to France in 1956 and then to Switzerland in 1969, living a secluded life in Corseaux-sur-Vevey, on Lake Geneva, from 1974. He eventually died there peacefully on 6 February 1985.
In 1932, Raymond married Sylvia Ray, who gave him a son. They were together until his death fifty three years later. Prohibition and the ensuing US Great Depression (1929–1939), had given rise to the Chicago gangster culture just prior to World War II. This, combined with her book trade experience, made him realise that there was a big demand for gangster stories. He wrote as R. Raymond, James Hadley Chase, James L. Docherty, Ambrose Grant and Raymond Marshall.
During World War II he served in the Royal Air Force, achieving the rank of Squadron Leader. Chase edited the RAF Journal with David Langdon and had several stories from it published after the war in the book Slipstream: A Royal Air Force Anthology.
Raymond moved to France in 1956 and then to Switzerland in 1969, living a secluded life in Corseaux-sur-Vevey, on Lake Geneva, from 1974. He eventually died there peacefully on 6 February 1985.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
February 23, 2024
3,5 stele.
Cântecul de lebădă al lui Raymond Marshall, celălalt pseudonim al scriitorului britanic, ce i-a facilitat acestuia publicarea a mai mult de două romane pe an. Anul 1958 marchează astfel despărțirea de Marshall, romanele lui René Lodge Brabazon Raymond fiind publicate de acum înainte exclusiv cu numele James Hadley Chase.
Lovește și fugi este un thriller destul de intens, lipsit de subtilități, în care accentul se pune exclusiv pe acțiune. Chester Scott lucrează la "Agenţia Internaţională a Pacificului, cea mai importantă şi cea mai bună agenţie de publicitate din California", este pe val și are o situație financiară înfloritoare. Iată definiția prosperității acelor timpuri: "Aveam un Cadillac decapotabil, un bungalou cu trei camere pe malul mării, un servitor filipinez şi un cont în bancă destul de rotunjor".
Problema apare atunci când el o cunoște pe foarte tânăra soție a șefului său, superba Lucille. Mult mai tânără decât bogatul ei soț, Lucille pare totuși să aibă și unele nemulțumiri și aspirații: "Întotdeauna m-a interesat felul în care bărbaţii câştigă banii. Pentru o femeie, singura cale de a deveni bogată este să se mărite…" Bietul Ches se va îndrăgosti fulgerător de Lucille, fără să aibă habar cât de mult s-a complicat viața lui. Lectură plăcută!
Cântecul de lebădă al lui Raymond Marshall, celălalt pseudonim al scriitorului britanic, ce i-a facilitat acestuia publicarea a mai mult de două romane pe an. Anul 1958 marchează astfel despărțirea de Marshall, romanele lui René Lodge Brabazon Raymond fiind publicate de acum înainte exclusiv cu numele James Hadley Chase.
Lovește și fugi este un thriller destul de intens, lipsit de subtilități, în care accentul se pune exclusiv pe acțiune. Chester Scott lucrează la "Agenţia Internaţională a Pacificului, cea mai importantă şi cea mai bună agenţie de publicitate din California", este pe val și are o situație financiară înfloritoare. Iată definiția prosperității acelor timpuri: "Aveam un Cadillac decapotabil, un bungalou cu trei camere pe malul mării, un servitor filipinez şi un cont în bancă destul de rotunjor".
Problema apare atunci când el o cunoște pe foarte tânăra soție a șefului său, superba Lucille. Mult mai tânără decât bogatul ei soț, Lucille pare totuși să aibă și unele nemulțumiri și aspirații: "Întotdeauna m-a interesat felul în care bărbaţii câştigă banii. Pentru o femeie, singura cale de a deveni bogată este să se mărite…" Bietul Ches se va îndrăgosti fulgerător de Lucille, fără să aibă habar cât de mult s-a complicat viața lui. Lectură plăcută!
April 23, 2013
If you try to analyse the contents of any James Hadley Chase, you will be at a loss to find any real story, nor is the title having any relation to the contents.
The pure joy you get, out of each and every one of his books, is due to his fantastic story-telling style, which is unequalled by any other Author. One of the truely geats !
The pure joy you get, out of each and every one of his books, is due to his fantastic story-telling style, which is unequalled by any other Author. One of the truely geats !
February 13, 2013
I won't divulge much of the plot here but only wish to state that "Hit and Run" is the best JHC Novel I have read so far (and I have read quite a few).
The protagonist is tough as usual with a penchant for whisky and beautiful babes in distress and this is where the plot starts...you will keep on guessing as to who is fooling whom ?
The ending is highly satisfying and will give you the feeling of having read a great novel. C'mon Hollywood.. how come you have not filmed "Hit and Run" yet ???
The protagonist is tough as usual with a penchant for whisky and beautiful babes in distress and this is where the plot starts...you will keep on guessing as to who is fooling whom ?
The ending is highly satisfying and will give you the feeling of having read a great novel. C'mon Hollywood.. how come you have not filmed "Hit and Run" yet ???
April 15, 2021
This is the last of Chase's novels to be published originally under the Raymond Marshall pseudonym. And it's a nice one. Another page turner. From the beginning, you become pretty sure who the mastermind behind the criminality is, but in true Chase fashion, you are so caught up in the proceedings of the plot, that you almost forget it. The shock comes with what happens to people, not with the person behind the scenes. Finally, this is another story set on the American West Coast, with an abstract feel to it, a misty sense of impressions dominating the landscape rather than realistic detail.
July 26, 2022
Chase did it again!!
Amazing read..
Amazing read..
August 27, 2021
There's a man, young, clever, ambitious and was in love. There's a woman, younger, seductive, a real schemer and was too good to be true. They met and only one thing can ever happen between them: CHAOS!
James Hadley Chase as an author is a unique mix of Christie and Hergé. He's full of suspense yet doesn't fail to give a sense of ironic humour in his narrative, "Hit and Run" is a book which really gave me a taste of that as I finished it's last page just now.
The charectors Chester Scott and Lucille Aitken really are fleshed out individuals who really have the romantic yet dangerous hunter/hunted chemistry in the whole course of the narrative. I really can imagine Ryan Gosling and Kiera Knightley playing these roles if ever someone thinks of adapting in to a film and I want Edgar Wriggt (Judging by what he has done in Baby Driver) as the director. This really want to make you wish if ever Hitchcock and Chase ever had a chance to meet each other, I guess we could've got a second "North by Northwest"
The book initially might feel a bit of a slow burn but as the story unfolds the pace increases and every moment becomes a page turner. And the final twist was completely uncalled for as I tried to theorise the whole murder case as I kept on reading.
Anyone who loves a good ol hard boiled crime thriller, this book and the author's other work is certainly recommended...
James Hadley Chase as an author is a unique mix of Christie and Hergé. He's full of suspense yet doesn't fail to give a sense of ironic humour in his narrative, "Hit and Run" is a book which really gave me a taste of that as I finished it's last page just now.
The charectors Chester Scott and Lucille Aitken really are fleshed out individuals who really have the romantic yet dangerous hunter/hunted chemistry in the whole course of the narrative. I really can imagine Ryan Gosling and Kiera Knightley playing these roles if ever someone thinks of adapting in to a film and I want Edgar Wriggt (Judging by what he has done in Baby Driver) as the director. This really want to make you wish if ever Hitchcock and Chase ever had a chance to meet each other, I guess we could've got a second "North by Northwest"
The book initially might feel a bit of a slow burn but as the story unfolds the pace increases and every moment becomes a page turner. And the final twist was completely uncalled for as I tried to theorise the whole murder case as I kept on reading.
Anyone who loves a good ol hard boiled crime thriller, this book and the author's other work is certainly recommended...
May 6, 2021
There is something compulsive about this book which makes you keep on flipping the pages. The start is deceptively slow but slowly builts up speed and the last quarter particulary hurls towards a fitting climax. The book holds your interest throughout and that done the job is accomplished.
May 7, 2024
A totally fine, readable Chase blackmail thriller. Set in a bungalo and soaked in equal parts of scotch and sun, it will keep your interest until the big finish with plenty of twists. The usual magic is missing and alas! no threats of acid throwing to be found.
January 27, 2016
One of the most exciting books I ve read. A thriller which I could not keep down till I finished with the book. Finished the book in 5 hours and nearly missed dinner thanks to the author's capability to build in excitement and fast changing plots.
May 12, 2025
Este libro llegó a mis manos prácticamente por casualidad. Lo encontré en una librería de usados, me llamó la atención el nombre y me lo llevé. Estaba súper económico.
No conocía de nada a Chase, y cuando comencé a averiguar un poco sobre él me llamó la atención. Es llamativo como un autor que supo publicar más de 80 novelas a lo largo de casi cinco décadas de trabajo, que logró más que numerosos éxitos de ventas y era leído por medio mundo, de la noche a la mañana se convirtió en poco menos que un desconocido: sus libros no se reeditan y -especialmente en castellano- son muy difíciles de conseguir. Y eso que, al menos si debo guiarme por éste, no están nada mal.
Hit and run (El que atropella y fuga, en español) cuenta la historia de Chester Scott, un ambicioso ejecutivo publicitario, que se involucra, casi sin proponérselo, con Lucille, la esposa de su jefe. La situación adquiere un tono dramático cuando él intenta avanzar y ella robando su auto, tras lo cual atropella y mata a un policía. Pero lo que hasta aquí aparentaba ser una simple historia de criminales involuntarios intentando escapar de la justicia comenzará a complicarse más y más, y Chester empezará a vislumbrar que las cosas no son lo que aparentan, y el supuesto accidente esconde una realidad mucho más turbia.
La novela en general está bien. Se encuentra a mitad de camino entre el policial negro y el thriller, y, aunque por un momentos avanza por caminos bastante trillados, el golpe de efecto final logró realmente sorprenderme. Es notable como va transformándose el protagonista con el correr de la historia. A partir de la mitad, comienza a comportarse como una especie de detective privado, que tiene poco que envidiar a los Marlowe y Spade de la Literatura.
El principal aspecto negativo es que el libro puede considerarse demasiado machista, sobre todo para los parámetros actuales. Las únicas dos mujeres de cierto peso en la trama, son villanas que no tienen otro propósito que seducir al protagonista y aprovecharse de él. Por lo que pude informarme luego, este sería un rasgo no solo de Hit and run, sino de toda la novelística de Chase; eso explicaría bastante la caída en desgracia de sus obras en la actualidad, que mencioné al comienzo.
En general, me parece una historia recomendable para quienes disfrutan de este género. Si no se es demasiado pretencioso, se la puede disfrutar bastante. La típica novela para leer en vacaciones.
No conocía de nada a Chase, y cuando comencé a averiguar un poco sobre él me llamó la atención. Es llamativo como un autor que supo publicar más de 80 novelas a lo largo de casi cinco décadas de trabajo, que logró más que numerosos éxitos de ventas y era leído por medio mundo, de la noche a la mañana se convirtió en poco menos que un desconocido: sus libros no se reeditan y -especialmente en castellano- son muy difíciles de conseguir. Y eso que, al menos si debo guiarme por éste, no están nada mal.
Hit and run (El que atropella y fuga, en español) cuenta la historia de Chester Scott, un ambicioso ejecutivo publicitario, que se involucra, casi sin proponérselo, con Lucille, la esposa de su jefe. La situación adquiere un tono dramático cuando él intenta avanzar y ella robando su auto, tras lo cual atropella y mata a un policía. Pero lo que hasta aquí aparentaba ser una simple historia de criminales involuntarios intentando escapar de la justicia comenzará a complicarse más y más, y Chester empezará a vislumbrar que las cosas no son lo que aparentan, y el supuesto accidente esconde una realidad mucho más turbia.
La novela en general está bien. Se encuentra a mitad de camino entre el policial negro y el thriller, y, aunque por un momentos avanza por caminos bastante trillados, el golpe de efecto final logró realmente sorprenderme. Es notable como va transformándose el protagonista con el correr de la historia. A partir de la mitad, comienza a comportarse como una especie de detective privado, que tiene poco que envidiar a los Marlowe y Spade de la Literatura.
El principal aspecto negativo es que el libro puede considerarse demasiado machista, sobre todo para los parámetros actuales. Las únicas dos mujeres de cierto peso en la trama, son villanas que no tienen otro propósito que seducir al protagonista y aprovecharse de él. Por lo que pude informarme luego, este sería un rasgo no solo de Hit and run, sino de toda la novelística de Chase; eso explicaría bastante la caída en desgracia de sus obras en la actualidad, que mencioné al comienzo.
En general, me parece una historia recomendable para quienes disfrutan de este género. Si no se es demasiado pretencioso, se la puede disfrutar bastante. La típica novela para leer en vacaciones.
January 30, 2024
اچھا فاسٹ پیس ناول ہے۔ آغاز تھوڑا سست روی کا شکار رہا لیکن پھر کہانی نے تیزی پکڑی، پے در پے واقعات نے کہانی کو مزید الجھا دیا لیکن آخری میں تمام کڑیاں ملیں اور ایک اچھے طریقے سے اختتام ہوا۔ وقت گزاری کے لیے اچھا ناول ہے اردو ترجمہ اچھا ہے ۔ ایک نشست میں ختم کر سکتے ہیں
October 6, 2020
This magnificent detective novel was published in 1958 and how fresh it is perceived now, in 2020! This literary work is over 60 years old! Think about it... I love this story, I love it very much. I do not understand how an author, even such a mega-gifted person, could write so many works there so that they were all so strong, so magnificent, one better than the other! But this is a fact.
This book tells the story of a man who was greatly deceived by contacting the wife of a boss. Now he is being blackmailed with incriminating pictures... And then a police officer also died, under the wheels of his own car. True, the protagonist did not drive that car then, but who will care? In general, the main character of this book has huge problems. He has to take up the investigation himself before it's too late... And we, readers, are crazy interested in reading this story!
This book tells the story of a man who was greatly deceived by contacting the wife of a boss. Now he is being blackmailed with incriminating pictures... And then a police officer also died, under the wheels of his own car. True, the protagonist did not drive that car then, but who will care? In general, the main character of this book has huge problems. He has to take up the investigation himself before it's too late... And we, readers, are crazy interested in reading this story!
July 24, 2021
Master of thrillers! Loved this book, finished it in one day!
I've read most of the author's book and this one is my fave. This is about a man who gets duped into giving driving lessons for a rich man's wife. He falls for her, but that's when things go wrong, when she accidently hits a speed cop, killing him. From there the blackmail, lies and coverups begin.
Hadley's main characters are either smart con men, or men who fall for the trap. This book is the case of the latter.
I loved the dialogues between the wife and the main character, especially when they are plotting how to keep the death of the cop a secret. The story line itself is pretty simple by itself, but its the descriptions of the characters emotions when they are put on the spot, that make this book enjoyable for thriller lovers.
Fan of vintage thrillers? Pick this one up. It will keep you engrossed.
I've read most of the author's book and this one is my fave. This is about a man who gets duped into giving driving lessons for a rich man's wife. He falls for her, but that's when things go wrong, when she accidently hits a speed cop, killing him. From there the blackmail, lies and coverups begin.
Hadley's main characters are either smart con men, or men who fall for the trap. This book is the case of the latter.
I loved the dialogues between the wife and the main character, especially when they are plotting how to keep the death of the cop a secret. The story line itself is pretty simple by itself, but its the descriptions of the characters emotions when they are put on the spot, that make this book enjoyable for thriller lovers.
Fan of vintage thrillers? Pick this one up. It will keep you engrossed.
May 29, 2015
A typical J H Chase book, there is this sexy beautiful woman Lucille at the center of everyone, who is the wife of Scott's powerful headstrong Boss ;) and then suddenly Lucille takes interest in driving lesson from Scott, but secretly at night. But will that remain a secret at all, or something else is going to happen? and why suddenly there is a police at that lonely beach that night? its full of suspense and a good timepass. :)
August 5, 2021
Many years ago when I was visiting my dad's house and had nothing to read, I stumbled onto a few James Hadley Chase books on his bookshelf. This was one of them and it is still just as good as I remember it. Putting the main protagonist on the wrong side of the law is one of his favourite plot types, and it works great here.
May 22, 2020
Pure joy
November 17, 2023
I love this app because it contains James hardly chase novels
June 21, 2025
Hit and Run kicks off with the kind of scene that flips a man’s life on its head: Johnny Mendez, young, cocky, and stupidly rich, runs over a girl and leaves her to die. But instead of doing time, he and his powerful family try to bury the mess. Literally.
And guess what? That’s where the real nightmare begins.
Because this isn’t just about one hit-and-run. This is about what comes next—the cover-up, the blackmail, the vengeance that waits quietly at your doorstep with a smile and a silencer. Johnny thinks his money will protect him. But as the bodies pile up and the guilt eats away at what little soul he has left, he learns that karma drives a getaway car too—and it doesn’t brake.
James Hadley Chase brings the full pulp pressure here—his prose is tight as a clenched fist, his pacing relentless. And unlike his more action-forward novels, this one simmers. It’s a psychological pressure cooker, watching Johnny spiral deeper into his own destruction. The people around him—his accomplices, his lovers, his so-called friends—are all watching him fall, either helping or pushing.
And the ending? Oh, it hits like a sledgehammer wrapped in silk. Because you knew it was coming—you just hoped it wouldn’t come like that.
I picked this one up from a second-hand bookstall in College Street on a whim. It was wedged between Rogues’ Gallery and a moth-eaten Tolstoy. I remember reading it on a long, sleepless night, street dogs howling outside my window, and thinking—“This feels too real.” That sense of dread? That slow march toward consequences? It crawled under my skin and stayed there. Johnny Mendez reminded me of those spoiled silver-spoon brats we all knew in college—charming devils who thought nothing could touch them. Until it does.
And guess what? That’s where the real nightmare begins.
Because this isn’t just about one hit-and-run. This is about what comes next—the cover-up, the blackmail, the vengeance that waits quietly at your doorstep with a smile and a silencer. Johnny thinks his money will protect him. But as the bodies pile up and the guilt eats away at what little soul he has left, he learns that karma drives a getaway car too—and it doesn’t brake.
James Hadley Chase brings the full pulp pressure here—his prose is tight as a clenched fist, his pacing relentless. And unlike his more action-forward novels, this one simmers. It’s a psychological pressure cooker, watching Johnny spiral deeper into his own destruction. The people around him—his accomplices, his lovers, his so-called friends—are all watching him fall, either helping or pushing.
And the ending? Oh, it hits like a sledgehammer wrapped in silk. Because you knew it was coming—you just hoped it wouldn’t come like that.
I picked this one up from a second-hand bookstall in College Street on a whim. It was wedged between Rogues’ Gallery and a moth-eaten Tolstoy. I remember reading it on a long, sleepless night, street dogs howling outside my window, and thinking—“This feels too real.” That sense of dread? That slow march toward consequences? It crawled under my skin and stayed there. Johnny Mendez reminded me of those spoiled silver-spoon brats we all knew in college—charming devils who thought nothing could touch them. Until it does.
July 25, 2021
Highly engrossing as all the James Hadley novels.In the end the Chester Scott survives after having been mesmerized by a beauty like Lucille and on the verge of falling for the bait set by his boss Mr.Aitken.But in the end he used his brain to think clearly and he could save his hard earned money and also not falling prey for the blackmail.
October 8, 2024
My first book by this author & I enjoyed it very much, trashy but a definite page turner. Will read another of his books in the not too distant future, they make good palate cleansers between more serious books.
Want to read
December 28, 2017I can't see the contents of the book I picked please how can I get it
March 26, 2019
Доста интересна, прочетох я на един дъх. Краят не е най-добрият, но определено е много добра книга. Препоръчвам!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
April 21, 2020Cool
September 12, 2020
βιπερ 107
November 24, 2021
A no bullshit thriller. The plot is predictable !! But the way it's been portrayed is fantastic . Easy to read , fast to finish .
February 23, 2023
Compared to the other Chase books, this one was way too predictable and slow.
April 20, 2023
Obikings chaze books
Want to read
September 7, 20224 Decades ago I read the book, yet I want to read...
May 28, 2025
3.6/5
Both the books I have read of JHC, the endings have been underwhelming but rest of it is fun to read.
Both the books I have read of JHC, the endings have been underwhelming but rest of it is fun to read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews