Books

First edition, first impression, of the author's third novel, scarce in the dust jacket. This copy is offered together with a menu, signed by Ambler, for a luncheon celebrating the novel's publication; both items are from the collection of Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts (1941-2021). The book was written whilst Ambler was living in France. "His money went further there, but also it was a more stimulating environment. 'France was full of emigrés, some living on their wits, others with the most lurid of pasts. These were the sort of people I wanted to write about'" (ODNB). The novel was adapted into the 1944 film Hotel Reserve, starring James Mason. Octavo. Original blue cloth, spine and front cover lettered in black, blue endpapers. With dust jacket. Spine slightly cocked and sunned, gutter cracked between a few gatherings but firm, contents clean; jacket lightly rubbed and creased, a few small chips and short closed tears to extremities, flaps without price as issued: a very good copy in very good jacket.

Set in a small hotel on the French Riviera, the book tells the story of Josef Vadassy, an innocent language teacher caught in a deadly game of espionage.