AN EXPENSIVE PLACE TO DIE (First edition - first impression - complete with the 'Top Secret' In Transit Docket)

First impression of the true first edition of Len Deighton's fifth novel. ***This copy retains the original 'Top Secret in transit docket', which is so often missing - containing ten separate paper documents, loosely inserted. Jacket design by Raymond Hawkey. ***Near fine in black cloth-covered boards with gilt titles to the spine. The boards are clean with no bumps or creases. Corners sharp. Very slight reading lean to the binding with the slightest of vertical reading creases. Spine tight. Light sporadic foxing to the page block edges, with a small indentation to the bottom edge (please see scans). Internally also near fine with no inscriptions. No foxing. Pages bright and clean. No creases or tears. Black and white sixties-style decorative front and rear endpapers. The 'Top Secret' In Transit Docket is unmarked, clean, and uncreased - unusual thus, and the contents are also near fine. ***In a very good wraparound colour-illustrated dustwrapper, which has not been price-clipped, retaining the original publisher's printed price of 21s net. Extremities of dustwrapper just slightly rubbed, with a little loss to the surface colour only at the corner tips- very minimal. None of the usual creases, chips or tears. Spine of dustwrapper slightly faded (as is often the case with this title). Dustwrapper bright. ***254 pages. 194mm x 134mm. ***'A middle-aged English spy is sent to deliver a file of information on nuclear fall-out to the doctor, and finds himself involved in the most macabre operation of his career among the boulevards and back streets of Paris. In the twilight of blackmail and hidden motive, friend and enemy become indistinguishable: Maria, the divorcee with the E-type; Loiseau, a chief inspector in the Surete; Jean-Paul, the tanned Adonis destined for disaster; and Byrd, the British naval officer turned painter. ***In An Expensive Place to Die, Deighton never relaxes his stranglehold of suspense, and loyalties remain undisclosed until the final pages. Yet he has moved far beyond the limits of the pure spy-thriller to explore the frontiers of human confrontation, where ideological warfare is germinated and sustained by the failure of one man to communicate with another.' (Quote taken from the front flap of the dustwrapper) ***First impression of the true first edition in its original 1960s wraparound illustrated dustwrapper in really nice bright collectable condition. The fifth novel in the Harry Palmer series. A superior copy - of interest to collectors of Len Deighton's 1960s spy thrillers, especially with the original 'Top Secret in transit docket' in lovely condition. ***For all our books, postage is charged at cost, allowing for packaging: any shipping rates indicated on ABE are an average only: we will reduce the P & P charge where appropriate - please contact us for postal rates for heavier books and sets etc. …