Marc Behm (January 27, 1925 – July 12, 2007) was an American novelist and screenwriter. Primarily known for his hardboiled and psychologically complex crime novels, he achieved significant recognition later in his career, particularly for works that were adapted into successful films. Behm spent much of his adult life living and working in France.
Biography Born in Trenton, New Jersey, Marc Behm's early life saw him serve in the military before he embarked on a career in writing. He initially gained experience as a screenwriter, contributing to various film projects, though often uncredited or for B-movies. His unique voice and dark thematic interests found their fullest expression in his prose. Behm was part of a generation of American expatriate writers who found a more receptive audience for their distinct literary styles in Europe, especially France, where he developed a devoted following. He died in Paris at the age of 82.
Literary Style and Themes Behm's novels are characterized by their intense psychological focus, often delving into the disturbed minds of his protagonists and antagonists. His narratives are frequently dark, exploring themes of obsession, identity, loneliness, and the elusive nature of reality. He employed a lean, often poetic prose style that belied the complex emotional and moral landscapes he depicted. His work often blurs the lines between detective fiction and literary fiction, earning him comparisons to authors like Cornell Woolrich for his atmospheric tension and tragicomic elements.
Notable Works
- A Body and a Half (1969): An early novel that showcased his distinctive voice.
- The Eye of the Beholder (1980): Arguably his most famous work, this novel follows a private detective's decades-long obsession with a woman he believes is a serial killer. It was adapted into two notable films:
- Mortelle randonnée (1983), a French film directed by Claude Miller.
- The Eye of the Beholder (1999), an American film starring Ewan McGregor and Ashley Judd.
- The Queen of the Night (1981): Another acclaimed novel exploring the darker aspects of human nature.
- The Wounded Man (1984): This novel, dealing with themes of obsession and a young man's descent into a dangerous world, was adapted into the 1983 French film L'Homme blessé (The Wounded Man), directed by Patrice Chéreau.
- The Big Night (1987): A later novel continuing his exploration of crime and psychological depth.
Screenwriting While his novels are his most enduring legacy, Behm also contributed to numerous screenplays, including:
- The Woman in the Lighthouse (1967)
- Someone Behind the Door (1971)
- Blood of the Beasts (1971)
His work, though sometimes overlooked in his native country during his lifetime, has garnered increasing critical attention for its originality and depth, cementing his place as a significant voice in crime and psychological fiction.