The Mask of Dimitrios

Eric Ambler was the first author to write with realism and authenticity about the world of spies. His work often features ordinary people who are not criminals or professional spies, but who suddenly find themselves caught up in that murky world. In this novel, while in Turkey, mystery writer Charles Latimer meets Colonel Haki, who shows him the body of a notorious criminal, Dimitrios, in the Istanbul morgue. Intrigued and sensing a story, Latimer investigates Dimitrios’ career, which will turn out to be a lot more intriguing and dangerous than anything he bargained for. Ambler’s thrillers keep you on the… show more.

It’s hard to believe The Mask of Dimitrios is over 80 years old. Published on the eve of WW2, it’s a story of a writer, Charles Latimer, who is intrigued by a body taken out of the Bosphorus Sea, murdered by a stab wound. It is presumed to be the spy, pimp, and drug dealer named Dimitrios. Latimer sets out to find out who the dead man was and embarks on a journey across the cauldron of pre-war Europe. The writing is as fresh today as it was then. It reads like a modern-day thriller. I love the premise and… show more.