Black Alibi

Cornell Woolrich’s Black Alibi is set in Ciudad Real, a South American town terrorized by a string of grisly murders. Police and townsfolk believe the culprit is an escaped jaguar, but the identity of the killer remains in question. Suspects include Kiki Walker, a nightclub chanteuse; Jerry Manning, an ambitious press agent; and Clo-Clo, a local woman. The story follows the mystery of the murderer, the next victim, and the timing of each act. The narrative is set in the streets of Ciudad, where the killer operates. Black Alibi is considered by some to be a forerunner of the slasher genre. The novel was adapted into the 1943 film The Leopard Man, produced by Val Lewton and directed by Jacques Tourneur.