[Originally issued by Dell in 1960 as Cain’s Woman]. “I almost didn’t go down to the office that day. Not that it would have mattered, I suppose. She would have reached me anyway.” Thus begins Cain’s Wife, the first and only novel by Chicago author and painter O.G. Benson. The story elements are familiar – beautiful, mysterious woman, older husband, blackmailers, PI with heart of gold, sleazy bad guys, elegantly sinister bad guys – but Benson handles all with considerable deftness and aplomb, doing an especially nice job of creating a Chandleresque atmosphere in a Midwestern setting. Time has been kind to Cain’s Woman : little noticed upon its original release, today it’s a minor classic and cult favorite [see also: http://vinpulp.blogspot.com/2008/02/cains-woman-by-o-g-benson.html and http://killercoversoftheweek.blogspot.com/2009/04/cains-woman-by-og-benson.html].