List of Adrian Messenger

Rating:
Summary: A classic mystery
Review: This mystery is a classic. It is somewhat dated, having been written in 1959, but holds up well with excellent plotting and a fast paced flow. The premise is fascinating and the writing moves quickly. I reread this mystery just recently and it stands up well in spite of being written 45 years ago.

Philip MacDonald was a prolific writer; born in 1901. He won Edgar Allan Poe Mystery Awards in 1953 and 1956. He wrote a number of classic mystery stories, including this one, The Rasp and Warrant for X. Warrant for X was made into the movie "23 Paces to Baker Street" starring Van Johnson, while "The List of Adrian Messenger" was made into a movie under the original name. It starred a plethora of stars in cameo roles with George C. Scott playing Anthony Gethryn. Both movies were not as good as the books but quite enjoyable.

The List of Adrian Messenger's plot line concerns a list that Adrian Messenger gives to a friend in Scotland Yard and asks him, the friend, to check if each individual is still living at the same place. Messenger dies in an apparent plane sabotage and the search is on for the rest of the men on the list. The plot develops apace as many on the list of men seem to have suffered fatal accidents and on the surface, there appears to be no apparent connection between them. A recurring character of MacDonald's, Anthony Gethryn, is the protagonist.

To reveal more would give away the plot. Read and enjoy!