The Desperate Hours (Hayes novel)

{{Short description|American thriller novel}}

{{One source|date=October 2024}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}

{{Infobox novel

| genre = Thriller

| author = Joseph Hayes

| image = DesperateHours.jpg

| caption = First edition cover

| publisher = Random House

| pub_date = March 1, 1954

}}

The Desperate Hours is a 1954 thriller novel written by American writer Joseph Hayes.{{Cite web |date=1954-03-01 |title=The Desperate Hours |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/a/joseph-hayes/the-desperate-hours-1/ |access-date=2024-10-18 |website=Kirkus Reviews}} It concerns three escaped convicts and their invasion of a suburban home and its family.