The Detective (novel)
A detective novel that spawned a film and a sequel.
American writer Roderick Thorp published his thriller and detective novel The Detective in hardcover in 1966. The 1968 film adaptation, with Frank Sinatra playing Detective Joe Leland, ranked among the year's top earners and became a standout hit in Sinatra's filmography. A sequel, Nothing Lasts Forever, came out in 1979 and later inspired the movie Die Hard.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Roderick Thorp
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Genre
- Thriller, detective
- Publisher
- Dial Press (1st Edition)
- Released
- 1966
- Format
- Print (hardback & paperback)
- Pages
- 598 pp
Facts from the source article.
Plot summary
Private detective Joe Leland investigates the death of Colin MacIver for the widow Norma MacIver, who knew Leland from her husband's mention of him. Leland discovers that he and Colin served in the same World War II unit at different times. He interviews Colin's first wife, mother, and security guards at the racetrack where Colin apparently killed himself. Norma introduces Leland to her neighbor Dr. Wendell Roberts, who reveals he knew Leland's wife Karen and was friends with her lover. Leland uncovers corruption and murder, learning that Colin was the actual killer in a homicide Leland had investigated earlier. That case involved the execution of Felix Tesla for the death of Teddy Leikman. Leland's partner Mike Petrakis decodes Colin's notes, exposing a paper trail of corruption.
More in Characters & Cast
Elsewhere in Die Hard
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced