The Postman Always Rings Twice -- James M. Cain

Eventually, I want to read all of the noir classics.  I love the genre, period.  That was part of the reason that I picked this one up.  It was also because I'd come across the fact that Camus' The Stranger was inspired by it--so I figured that I needed to read Postman first.  (Secretly, I've always avoided Camus because I thought I wouldn't like him--I have no idea why--but if he cited this book as inspiration, I'll have to read him soon).

If you've seen the movie, you know the story.  (From what I can remember, by the way, the movie is a very faithful adaptation).

Frank Chambers, a drifter, shows up at the Twin Oaks Tavern/filling station.  The owner, Nick Papadakis, gives him a job.  Enter Nick's wife:

Then I saw her.  She had been out back, in the kitchen, but she came in gather up my dishes.  Except for the shape, she really wasn't any raving beauty, but she had a sulky look to her, and her lips stuck out in a way that made me want to mash them in for her.

You can guess where things go from there.  My favorite, favorite line came just after Frank and Cora decide to act:

I kissed her.  Her eyes were shining up at me like two blue stars.  It was like being in church.

It's just such a perfect end to a conversation about murder.