The first-person narrative technique creates a sense of immediacy as well as complete reader involvement because Sid Halley is so admirable. And since Halley also is the narrator-hero of Odds Against and Whip Hand, regular Francis readers bring to Come to Grief their past familiarity with him and a positive attitude toward this likable and trustworthy fellow. The physical dangers he experiences three times in the novel have greater impact because Halley describes them as he undergoes the torment than if Francis utilized an omniscient or third-person narrator.

Unlike most works in the genre, Come to Grief does not keep the reader in suspense about the villain, for the novel begins with Halley fretting about his role in having brought an old friend to trial. The narrative, in other words, is retrospective, but Francis creates compelling suspense through Halley's pursuit of his prey while the detective himself is...