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Synopsis
Caught in the crossfire of a successful military coup in an emerging African state, Bill Rutherford finds a political stowaway on board his charter aircraft. The stowaway is discovered and Rutherford thrown into jail to await a hideous death for 'treachery' to the new regime. General Gawaka, the new dictator, graciously receives the British High Commissioner when he comes to plead for Rutherford's life. Infinitely cunning, he tricks him into recognising the new regime. When oil and gold and discovered, the High Commissioner is delighted to see bright new vistas opening up for British trade.
But the reality is starker and infinitely more terrifying. Two American journalists are killed. Rutherford witnesses hideous scenes of genocide. And when a Starjet, gift of the British government, explodes in mid-air killing all on board, the terror that stalks the night walks boldly through the day. Rutherford is caught up in the ultimate blackmail threat and the tension mounts towards a shattering final climax.
'Top rate . . . a novel of no little flair, style and authority . . . a smashing story, richly drawn and well-sustained' Newsagent and Bookshop
'The British thriller at its best' Daily Telegraph
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About the Author
Arthur David Beaty was a former RAF pilot, novelist and non-fiction writer whose books about flying earned him a worldwide reputation.
Born in Ceylon, Beaty was educated at Kingswood, Bath and Merton College, Oxford, where he edited The Cherwell with Iris Murdoch. He became an RAF pilot during WWII, where he excelled, but gave up a life in the Air Force to write full-time. However, his experiences informed his many novels, thrillers originally written under the pseudonym Paul Stanton. In 1960, Cone of Silence was made into a film starring Peter Cushing and George Sanders, and Alfred Hitchcock bought the rights to Village of Stars, although the film was never made.
In the late 1960's Beaty turned his hand to writing non-fiction: his book about safety and aviation The Human Factor in Aircraft Accidents, caused wide controversy on its publication in 1969, but was later accepted and remains very influential.
Review
'Top rate ... a novel of no little flair, style and authority ... a smashing story, richly drawn and well-sustained' Newsagent and Bookshop 'The British thriller at its best' Daily Telegraph
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherSecker & Warburg
- Publication date1977
- ISBN 10 0436039141
- ISBN 13 9780436039140
- BindingHardcover
- Number of pages230
- Rating
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Excellency
Published by
Secker & Warburg, London, 1977
ISBN 10: 0436039141
ISBN 13: 9780436039140
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: La Playa Books, San Diego, CA, U.S.A.
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Hardcover. Condition: Used - fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First. First UK Edition. Review copy with publisher's letter laid in. A square, tight and unmarked copy. Dust jacket now protected in removable mylar. Seller Inventory # 79707
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