​The Dead Beat​
​
​First Published: 1960
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Format: Hardcover
Summary: Larry Fox, a young and arrogant con artist, ingratiates himself with a middle-aged couple who insist that he stay with them for a few days. From this cozy base of operations, Larry works his plot to extort a former flame and partner-in-crime, now married to wealthy businessman, Sarno. As Larry’s gambit plays out, Sarno uses his unsavory connections to ensure that Larry never gets his expected payout…even if it involves murder.

Bloch: There is little to nothing to be found on Bloch speaking about The Dead Beat other than a brief mention in his autobiography that the book’s reception pleased publisher Simon & Schuster, but resulted in “No spectacular sales.”

Notes:
  • Bloch received only a $750 advance from Simon & Schuster, despite the success of his novel Psycho the previous year.
  • Collected in the omnibus volume, Unholy Trinity (1986; along with The Scarf (revised 1966 edition) and The Couch).
Bibliography
US: Simon & Schuster; hc 1960
Italy: Aldo Garzanti ("Ballata Tragica"); hc 1961
Belgium: Gerard & Co. ("Le Temps Mort"); pb 1961
Finland: Gummerus ("Konsertto revolverille ja orkesterille"); pb 1961
Japan: Hayakawa Shobo; pb 1961
France: Marabout ("Le Temps Mort"); pb 1960
Spain: Plaza & Janés ("Cria Cuervos"); pb 1961
US: Popular Library; pb 1961
UK: Robert Hale; hc 1961
Latin America: 1961, nfd
US: Transworld Publishers; pb 1963
Netherlands: Bruna & Zoon ("De Klaploker"); pb 1965
Germany: Heyne ("Die Saat des Bosen"); pb 1966
UK: Popular Library; pb 1967
Mexico: Editorial Novera ("La Muerte Mas Extrana"); pb 1972
Spain: Plaza & Janés ("Cria Cuervos"); pb 1981
France: NEO ("Le Temps Mort"); pb 1983
Germany: Heyne ("Die Saat des Bosen"); pb 1985 (one of five novels of the Thriller omnibus)
US: Scream Press (in the omnibus Unholy Trinity); hc 1986
France: 10 / 18 ("Temps mort"); pb 1991