I posted this 1955 Lu Kimmel cover back in June. It occurred to me last week that I had more to say about it.
First, of course, we have the Sex Sells aspect — just how much is the protagonist seeing? Then there’s his body language: obviously focused on her but clutching the satchel defensively (though the Amazon synopsis makes me think it’s a safety deposit box). She’s sending an invitation; he’s not sure it’s a good idea.
The cover copy gives it context. It tells us he’s a thief and a womanizer, not some innocent. That suggests to me he was walking out with his prize when he discovered he wasn’t alone in the house. Maybe not, but it does inject some added drama into the scene. I don’t see lines like that on covers any more but there’s something to be said for them.
We don’t know anything about the woman from the cover art. However any woman whose posing in front of a man like that qualifies as a bad girl by 1955 standards. Typically in a paperback thriller she’ll be part of the conflict — love vs money, wanting a woman he shouldn’t have, etc. I don’t have the urge to hunt for more information but if I saw it cheap in a used bookstore, I might pick it up.
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