Carnival Girl by Richard Glendinning

"She Was All He Wanted"

Yselle is a young aerialist with the Flying Obellos high-wire act in the main tent but plays a background role to the action in this exposé of the dark side of carny life.

Joe Harper's real love has always been the circus, and he is promoted from advance advertising man to special assistant to the owner of Bartow's Greater Shows, Tim Donald. From clown alley to the freak show, the menagerie and the locals who watch the tents go up, there is a lot of atmosphere until the show gets under the canvas. Cook and part-time bookie Gator runs the grease joint; gambling-addict Harry wrangles the big cats; and Brad Kelly and Matty Bell work security. Owner Tim manages a steady ship, but his wife Norma has only money on her mind. She'd love to take over the circus and lets everyone know Tim has a bad heart. When she turns her seduction on Joe and offers him a partnership, once Tim is gone, she builds a fire that's hard to put out. It's the same thing she has already offered to Matty, and Brad as well. As long as she gets her way. When someone is 'accidentally' killed by a tractor, the local authorities attempt to shut them down, and they're not afraid of hurting their knuckles.

Norma is a nasty piece of work, ready to double-cross whoever she needs to. She will get her way even if it means robbing the takings from the circus safe, or crying "Fire!" in a crowded big top. For the time, this had an unusually violent ending, but not out of place for the hard environment. Beneath these often lurid covers are stories of loyalty, bravery, love, and yes, carnival excitement. For those who like the darkness behind the flashing lights.

1956 / Paperback / 160 pages