A Coffin for Dimitrios is a gripping tale set in the 1930s, amidst the looming threat of European war. The story follows the protagonist, Charles Latimer, as he delves into the criminal underworld while investigating the mysterious life and death of the notorious criminal Dimitrios Makropoulos. As Latimer traverses through various European countries, the plot unfolds against the backdrop of historical events, intricate political landscapes, and complex character identities. The book expertly combines elements of espionage, historical fiction, and detective work, offering a nuanced portrayal of Europe between the two World Wars.
The narrative is structured as a detailed investigation into Dimitrios' life, revealing his involvement in assassination plots, espionage, and criminal activities across different nations. Through Latimer's perspective, the reader is drawn into a world of intrigue, moral ambiguity, and the complexities of human nature. Eric Ambler's writing style is lauded for its incisiveness, wit, and engaging storytelling, keeping readers hooked as they unravel the mysteries surrounding Dimitrios and the dark underbelly of pre-World War II Europe.
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From The Publisher:
The classic story of an ordinary man seemingly out of his depth, this is Ambler's most widely acclaimed novel, "one of the masterpieces of the genre" (The New York Times Book Review).
A chance encounter with a Turkish colonel leads Charles Latimer, the author of a handful of successful mysteries, into a world of sinister political and criminal maneuvers. At first merely curious to reconstruct the career of the notorious Dimitrios, whose body has been identified in an Istanbul morgue, Latimer soon finds himself caught up in a shadowy web of assassination, espionage, drugs, and treachery that spans the Balkans.
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Solid early spy thriller
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A Coffin for Dimitrios?
About the Author:
Eric Ambler is often said to have invented the modern suspense novel. Beginning in 1936, he wrote a series of novels that introduced ordinary protagonists thrust into political intrigues they were ill-prepared to deal with. These novels were touted for their realism, and Ambler established himself as a thriller writer of depth and originality. In the process he paved the way for such writers as John Le Carré, Len Deighton, and Robert Ludlum. He was awarded four Gold Daggers and a Diamond Dagger from The Crime Writers Association, named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers Association, and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth. In addition to his novels, Ambler wrote a number of screenplays, including A Night to Remember and The Cruel Sea, which won him an Academy Award nomination. He died in 1998.
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