You're Lonely When You're Dead by James Hadley Chase is a taut and thrilling hard-boiled detective novel, first published in 1949. Known for his razor-sharp dialogue, morally complex characters, and shadowy underworld settings, Chase once again delivers a gripping tale of crime, deceit, and deadly secrets. The story features Vic Malloy, a tough, fast-talking private investigator who runs a detective agency in Hollywood. When he's hired to locate a missing girl connected to a high-society scandal, Malloy finds himself entangled in a case that quickly spirals into murder, blackmail, and betrayal. As bodies begin to pile up, Malloy's investigation leads him deep into a world of corrupt powerbrokers, ruthless femmes fatales, and hidden agendas. What begins as a routine job soon becomes a deadly game, and Malloy must rely on his street smarts, grit, and gut instinct to stay ahead of both the killers and the cops. But in a city where appearances deceive and loyalty has a price, even a seasoned detective can't be sure who's friend or foe. Fast-paced and laced with noir atmosphere, You're Lonely When You're Dead captures the essence of classic pulp fiction. Chase's writing is lean, intense, and unflinching, immersing the reader in a morally ambiguous world where justice is elusive and danger is always just a step away. This novel stands as a standout entry in Chase's prolific body of work, offering a masterclass in suspense and crime fiction storytelling.