O'Donnell, Peter

Dragon's Claw

ISBN: 0892961058
New York, NY, USA: The Mysterious Press, 1978. Limited First Edition. Signed by Peter O'Donnell. "On the island of Dragon's Claw, Sam Solon, an Australian newspaper tycoon with an inferiority complex about his lack of knowledge of art, has kidnapped the world's leading art experts, keeping them prisoner to admire his collection of stolen art treasures. Modesty and her loyal lieutenant, Willie Gavin, become involved in a complex series of murder mysteries that takes them to the island as prisoners. To escape, they must defeat Solon's hired killers: the Reverend Uriah Crisp, an ordained minister with the greatest handgun shot in the world, and Beauregard Browne, who kills his victims using the famous handkerchief trick." (from description of book, librarythings.com). Dragon's Claw is author Peter O'Donnell's (1920-2010) ninth entry in his 13 book Modesty Blaise series. O'Donnell was a famous English mystery writer and comic strip author, with Modesty Blaise being his most notable character. Born in London, England, O'Donnell won many awards throughout his career, even the Romantic Novel of the Year Award by the Romantic Novelists' Association for his 1978 novel Merlin's Keep, under his female pseudonym Madeleine Brent. There are many reasons that Modesty Blaise was his most notable character. Originally the lead character in her eponymous comic strip that started in 1963 and ran until 2002, Modesty Blaise was the epitome of a modern day heroine: strong, smart and with her own autonomy in a time that those qualities weren't accepted. Although the books (started in 1965) generally reflect the characters previously established in the comic strip, there are a number of detail differences, one example being the name of her husband is given in the strip, with the marriage taking place in 1960 and him dying in 1961; in the novels he is unnamed and the marriage took place in 1962. The novels also include a more overt fantasy element than the strip, with characters demonstrating clairvoyant abilities in several novels and a later story referencing the afterlife. Hardcover in slipcase without dust jacket as issued, first American edition as stated at copyright page with reference to previous British edition, first (American) printing as stated at copyright page & indicated by number sequence thereon. On the first page leaf before the title page, O"Donnell has signed the number 132 and his name in black ink under the printed statement: "Of this first edition, | 250 copies | have been numbered | and signed | by the author. | This is copy no. (signed) 132 | (signed) Peter O'Donnell" |. A rich & rewarding O'Donnell collectible in its rarest contemporary form, greatly enhanced by the author's signature and numeration. Book in very fine condition, virtually mint inside and out. Slipcase is similarly very fine with only very minor shelf wear. Very Fine. [Item #7648]

Price: $100.00