Francis Gerard — Transparent Traitor

London, Macdonald and Co, 1950. First edition. Cloth. A scarce first edition of this crime novel by Francis Gerard. 'Sir Digby Vane-Torrington, the great actor-manager, had made too many enemies for the good of any one man. He had a bad reputation with women, and he detested his own sons. When after his retirement he decided to give a private performance of Romeo and Juliet, he invited all the London critics and numerous other notabilities, including Sir John Meredith. It was a sensational evening, from the rise of the curtain to the shot which followed its fall. This is one of Francis Gerard's most unusual tales, for the issue is not so much one of 'who did the murder?' as 'why and how did the victim come to fill his role?' It is top-grade story-telling from beginning to end&apos. In the original publishers cloth covered binding with the original dustwrapper. Externally, smart. Very slight fading at head and tail of spine. Dustwrapper is generally clean with slight curling. A number of small closed tears have been repaired with tape on the reverse, and the dustwrapper is protected with Brodart wraps. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are bright and generally clean. Very Good Indeed . Ill.: None. Very Good Indeed/Very Good.