Doctor Robert Branch is a university professor, not a secret agent. But his best friend is dead and Branch knows that it can't have been suicide. He is also certain that the murder has been arranged by a Nazi espionage group operating on campus. The only trouble is, no one will believe him. Branch knows that the Nazis will have him eliminated as soon as it is convenient. He's even narrowed his choice of executioner down to three: a psychotic homosexual, a respected educator-and the women he loves...
Ross Macdonald is well regarded among mystery writers. But this book is a disappointment. The plot line revolves around Nazi espionage groups operating on school campuses, with only the thinnest reasons given for what motivates them. The story itself is fast paced and entertaining, but the hero, Dr. Robert Branch, who alone suspects his best friend was killed by Nazis, seems too glib and quick with the wisecracks for the horrible situation he finds himself in. The narration doesn't help matters. It's easy to see that Tom Parker is trying to stay true to the devil-may-care spirit of the book, but by putting a humorous spin on everything--from being shot, to thinking his girlfriend has become a collaborator--he only adds to the overall lack of depth. This one is for die-hard fans only. D.G. (c) AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine
About the Author
Ross Macdonald (1915-1983) was the pen name of Kenneth Millar. Born near San Francisco but raised in British Columbia, he returned to the United States as a young man and published his first novel in 1944. For over twenty years he lived in Santa Barbara and wrote mystery novels about the fascinating and changing society of his native state. His works have received awards from the Mystery Writers of America and of Great Britain, and his book The Moving Target was made into the movie Harper in 1966.
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