The Couch by Robert Bloch

 

(pb; 1962, based on Bloch's screenplay)

From the back cover

“This is the story of a man with a terrible secret.

“He will not even tell it to his psychiatrist.

“He could be wandering down any street at any time.

“He does not look different from other people in the street.

“But his secret gives him a power of them.

“He knows one of them is about to die.”

 

Review

Couch is comprised of Bloch’s usual tight, terse, black-humored, and often compelling writing style, something fans of the author and such writing may enjoy. The story, basic in its plot—and based on Blake Edwards's and Owen Crump’s idea as well as Bloch’s screenplay—has a Psycho-echoic themes, not off-putting but worth noting and (perhaps) appreciating, depending on the reader or viewer. Aside from the fact that Bloch wrote this with his usual effective mastery, I don’t know that I would’ve sought this book out, but like I wrote earlier, it’s worth seeking out if you’re a die-hard Bloch/tightly written and swiftly paced thriller fan.

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Its cinematic counterpart, scripted by Bloch, was directed by co-idea source Owen Crump. It was released stateside on February 21, 1962.

Grant Williams played Charles Campbell. Shirley Knight played Terry Ames. Onslow Stevens played William L. Janz, Campbell’s psychiatrist. William Leslie played Dr. David Lindsay. Simon Scott played Lt. Kritzman. Michael Bachus played Police Sgt. Bonner.