Double IndemnityDouble Indemnity
Score Classic
What it's about
Double Indemnity is James M. Cain's classic short noir of desire, murder and an insurance scheme.
Why it's worth reading
It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It's a classic of American crime fiction.
You'll love it if you liked
The Big Sleep
The Long Goodbye
The Talented Mr. RipleyGood to know
It's very short. Billy Wilder's 1944 film is just as famous.
By the numbers
- Readers79 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics30 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller13 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
Why it made the list
Reads as
Thought-provoking
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Quick answers
Is Double Indemnity worth reading?
Yes. It's on the Guardian's list of 1,000 novels everyone must read. It ranks #1,164 of the 3,057 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 71.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Double Indemnity about?
Double Indemnity is James M. Cain's classic short noir of desire, murder and an insurance scheme.
How long does it take to read Double Indemnity?
About 3 hours (136 pages), or about 6 days at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Double Indemnity?
If you liked it, try The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler, The Long Goodbye by Raymond Chandler or The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith.