Vice Trap

I know very little about author Elliott Gilbert (1924-2000). His first novel, Don't Push Me Around, was published by Popular Library in 1955. The book was reviewed by paperback scholar Gary Lovisi in Paperback Parade #84 in 2013. Gilbert also wrote Too Much Woman for Beacon in 1961. But, the subject of this review is his 1958 Avon paperback Vice Trap. In 2025, the book was released as both a paperback and ebook by Stark House Press imprint Black Gat Books. This new edition preserves the original paperback art by Harry Schaare.

Vice Trap's locale is a key part of Gilbert's twisty narrative. The book takes place in California – my guess is San Diego – with an attention to the southern border with Mexico. It's here that Nick, the narrator, works odd jobs as a mechanic. Months ago he was busted by a narcotics agent named Madrid and spent time behind bars. Now, Nick plays poker, smokes a lot of weed, and pines for his ex-lover Lona. The problem is that Lona is now Madrid's girl.

In the book's opening chapters Madrid visits Nick and it is established that the two, despite the past bust, are at the very least cordial acquaintances. Madrid gets Nick to fence items for him to pay off some bills. Easy stuff like radios, cameras, etc. But, it's clear that Madrid probably stole these items from criminals he arrested or from an evidence locker. The fencing back and forth allows Nick to visit Lona and the two pick up their heated relationship again – behind Madrid's back. 

Madrid pitches to Nick a bank heist idea. Nick gets a couple of his friends together, including a charismatic guy named Sand-O. The deal is to knock off a bank during a rodeo parade. Madrid will volunteer to patrol the parade off-duty and make a cover for the guys to rob the place. Then Nick will need to floor the Ford across the border before the gates close. But, as these things play out in paperback heists, things go afoul and by the book's end there's murder and lots of hospital bills. 

Vice Trap was a pretty good crime-noir novel. The inner workings of drug deals for weed in the mid-20th century was fascinating, although now it seems rather laughable. Petty crimes leading to unrest. The bulk of the book focuses on Nick and Lona's relationship, their longing for peaceful days, and the reality that both are caught in life's sinking wheel rut. Madrid makes a great heel and Nick serves the role as a slacking rebel. But, the book is a slow burn at 178 pages. The heist pitch doesn't occur until the 60-page mark. If you want to submerge yourself in the druggie life of the 1950s there's plenty to keep your attention. Recommended. Get a copy HERE.