John Gardner — Understrike and the Corner Men

London, Frederick Muller Ltd; Michael Joseph, 1965-1974. First edition. Cloth. First edition, first impressions of two of John Gardner's popular thriller novels. The first edition, first impressions of these two works in the publisher's original cloth bindings, with the original unclipped dust wrappers. Two thriller novels by John Gardner (1926-2007), best known for his James Bond continuation novels and for his parodic Boysie Oakes series. Understrike (1965) is the second novel in his Boysie Oakes series, in which Boysie is faced with being British Special Security's observer at the important test-firing of a new missile. He meets a colourful cast of characters including his opponent Vladimir Solev, and the gorgeous Chicory Triplehouse.The Corner Men (1974) is the second novel in his Derek Torry series, in which the Scotland Yard inspector stands between two rival gangs in a thrilling struggle for power on the streets of Soho. In the publisher's original cloth bindings, with the original unclipped dust wrappers. Externally, cloth smart and bright to both volumes. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and clean except for a little offsetting to the end papers of Understrike. Dust wrapper to Corner Men is smart, with just one mark to the spine of the wrap. Dust wrapper to Understrike is chipped to the upper extremities and tail of the spine, with a couple of marks to the front and rear, and a small closed tear to the rear of the wrap. Near Fine . Ill.: Not Stated. Near Fine/Very Good Indeed.