Lost story by ‘poet of the tabloid murder’ James M Cain discovered in Library of Congress

Jessica Lange and Jack Nicholson in Bob Rafelson’s 1981 film of The Postman Always Rings Twice, by James M Cain. Photograph: TCD/Prod.DB/Alamy

A New York editor and literary detective is celebrating the discovery and release of an unpublished short story by James M Cain, one of the greats of American noir, a “poet of the tabloid murder” whose works made famous on film include The Postman Always Rings Twice, Double Indemnity and Mildred Pierce.

“For all the work that you do,” said Andrew Gulli, editor-in-chief of the Strand Magazine, “like 2% of the time you hit the jackpot. I just feel so good. It’s worth it.”