This book was a joy to get myself lost in. I get to feel sorry for small-time hustler Arthur Simpson as he gets into further mishaps from being blackmailed into smuggling by international villains.
It is a humourous thriller about a jewel heist from a great author and was turned into the equally excellent 1964 film Topkapi starring Peter Ustinov.
Arthur Abdel Simpson is a failed journalist and soon-to-be failed thief, embittered by memories of his unhappy childhood in England and eking out a living in Athens. When he spots a newly arrived tourist at the airport, he offers his services as a private driver and sees an easy chance to make some money by illicit means. But the out-matched Simpson soon finds himself embroiled in blackmail and driving a highly suspicious car to Istanbul. When he is stopped by the Turkish police, it seems his luck can't get any worse - but this is just the beginning . .…
As an ex-seafarer, I loved the nostalgia from this odyssey as a tramp steamer voyages around the dangerous waters in the Far East.
It's great how the author describes so well corrupt officials, hard-drinking crew, smuggling, storms, and triads in the shadows of World War Two. It's a real old-style maritime adventure.
The eve of World War 2. Hitler is finalising his plans for the conquest of Europe and flexing his muscles in Spain, while the Japanese are poised to invade China, and eyeing off the resources of the East Indies and Indochina to fuel their war machine. Dangerous times, but there are still profits to be made by men like hard-bitten Skipper Bill Rowden and his vagabond crew, as they work their aging tramp steamer around the treacherous waters of the Far East. Uncharted reefs, tropical storms, corrupt officials, smuggling and piracy are all in a day’s work to Rowden and…
This book held my interest as it is full of richly drawn characters during the early days of Hollywood's pioneers, from Nickelodeons to the early talkies. I like how the author uses an unusual timeline in a revealing way as the characters go backward and forward in time and also how he switches from first person to third person.
From the author of The New York Times number one best-seller The Carpetbaggers comes a novel of passion, intrigue, power, and money.
With 11 weeks on The New York Times best sellers list, The Dream Merchants provides a fascinating look at the early days of the world's most glamorous industry - Hollywood. It was the latest "gold rush" - when ambitious, if unscrupulous, men and women flooded California to turn cinematic dreams into reality, regardless of the moral cost. Johnny Edge, a former carnival barker, schemes and plots his way to the top while Peter Kessler turns his back on…
Henry VIII schemes to be rid of Anne Boleyn to marry another. Anne is found guilty of her sins, and the King sends her to Calais for Europe's best executioner, Jean Romboud.
After the execution, Jean's nephew is found guilty of abducting his love, Roselyn, and attempting to murder Nigel. Nigel is the son of Jean's old foe Howard, now a favourite at Henry's court. Howard and Jean fought over Nigel's mother twenty years before. Old wounds are opened, and Jean duels with Howard once more.
Jean is superior and wins easily, forcing Howard to admit a previous deceit. But Jean is then ordered to execute his nephew.
