Three for the Money

This unabridged novel is a period mystery/adventure set in 1948. There are 50 chapters, written in a fast-paced, easy style, liberally laced with sex, violence, nostalgia and good humor. It is a satire of the period with flashbacks and a bit of period chauvinism. It's written in the first person (a cliche of movies of the time), in descriptive, visual terms.

The three lead characters are Canadian Anthony James, American Tommy Sanderson, and Scotish Steve Hughs. On their retirement from militariy intelligence, after WWII, Tony has convinced these gentle giants to join him in an advertising agency back in Montreal.

Tony meets Catherine Rothschild, beautiful and sophistocated, in the company of Susan and Jim Taylor. There's a murder of course. Jim, an agency client and Tony's good friend, is found poisoned after a dinner party at the Taylor mansion. Susan, a seductive honey-blonde, has overwhelmed a morally weak Tony James and heavy guilt over the affair leaves him obsessed with getting justice. The dinner party guests, international and incongruous, are the suspects.

On a trail of clues, our investigative trio uncovers a Nazi museum-treasure scam, which leads them to many adventures in many lands.

The story progresses around a romance, then confrontation, a reunion in Havana, a drug raid in Argentina, a wild party with a mafia don in Napoli, then another murder in Geneva. and a Princely party in Monte Carlo - that almost ends our hero's life.... There's also a finishing twist or two in the plot. It's a great way to shorten a long trip.