The Zebra-Striped Hearse

Lew Archer, Book 10

By: Ross Macdonald

Narrated by: Edward Asner, Kathryn Harrold, Jennifer Tilly, Joe Pantoliano

Celebrated private eye Lew Archer is hired by a father intent on preventing the marriage of his daughter to a penniless and possibly murderous artist. The chase takes Archer from Mexico to Lake Tahoe and from the San Francisco Bay area to Los Angeles as more than one murder crowds the investigation.

©2000 KCRW (P)2000 Ross MacDonald

Just this once.

I never listen to mystery books. Just not my thing. However, this story is so iconic and touches on every good part of the genre. Then the performances bring the whole thing to life! I recommend this book to everyone.

Excellent Novel and Performance by Large Cast

Although distributed under the BBC name, this was originally produced by LA radio station KCRW, which did several such large-cast unabridged readings back in the day. Harris Yulin directed and plays Archer. Others in the cast include Tyne Daly, Richard Masur, Harry Shearer, and Bruce Davison.

Complicated noir

I liked the intricacy of the plotting — and laughed at the two california actors’ ridiculous pronunciation of Camino Real (are they sleeping together under the same rock). The essay that follows the novel is worthy.

Typical Archer mystery as done by full BBC cast

Macdonald is one of the best noir mystery writers from the 50s and 60s. His plots are all similar in that the key to solving a mystery is in the past and hinges on motives. Knowing this is of little help in unravelling any particular mystery as his plots are full of twists and turns and the end is usually a surprise. Unlike many modern mystery writers, whose books can be used for door stops (e.g. Elizabeth George and Robert Galbraith), Macdonald's novels are short as we learn little about Lew Archer, his protagonist. It's all about the mystery. "The Zebra-Striped Hearse" is typical Macdonald: Archer sorts through a basket full of interesting characters in order to solve several murders and in the end the reader exclaims, "I didn't see that one coming." This one is special as it is presented as a BBC radio production with big name actors (e.g. Edward Asner as Lew Archer). Enjoy!

If you haven't read any Lew Archer novels, don't be afraid to start anywhere. Each is an independent mystery as there is no character development of Archer, the tough guy hero. He used to be a police detective and is divorced; all there is to know.

Ross MacDonald is a treasure!

if you've not read or listened to his works, please start now. His deftly wrought writings are layered, complex and, well, just perfect. This was my first. I believe it is the start of a roll.