The Detective

Infobox Book |
name = The Detective


image_caption = 1986 cover art
author = Roderick Thorp
country = United States
language = English
genre = Thriller, Detective
publisher = Dial Press (1st Edition)cite web | url=http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=196099835 | title="The Detective" 1st Edition | publisher=AbeBooks.com | accessdate=2007-02-02]
release_date = 1966
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages = 598 pp
isbn = ISBN 0848803752
followed_by = Nothing Lasts Forever

"The Detective" is a thriller/detective novel by author Roderick Thorp, first published hardcover in 1966. It was made into the 1968 movie of the same name, starring Frank Sinatra, as Detective Joe Leland. Billed as, "An adult look at police life," "The Detective" went on to become one of the highest grossing films of 1968 and one of the strongest box-office hits of Sinatra's acting career.

A 1979 sequel, "Nothing Lasts Forever", was later made into the 1988 film "Die Hard", which spawned a series totaling four films.

Plot summary

Joe Leland, a private detective, begins a case for the recently widowed Norma MacIver. Norma requests that Leland find out everything he can about her deceased husband. Norma requests Leland personally because her husband had mentioned knowing him in the past. It turns out that both Leland and Colin MacIver both served in the same military unit, only at different moments during World War II. Leland interviews Colin's first wife, his mother, and the security guards at the track where Colin supposedly killed himself. Norma introduces Leland to her neighbor, and former therapist, Dr. Wendell Roberts. During their conversation, Wendell makes it known that he knew Leland's wife. It turns out, Wendell was friends with the man with whom Karen Leland had had an affair. As Leland's investigation deepens, he uncovers corruption and murder. Eventually, Leland discovers that Colin was connected to a homicide during Leland's earlier life with the police department as a detective. During the investigation of Teddy Leikman's death, a confession was attained from Felix Tesla, Leikman's roommate. Tesla died by the electric chair. It turned out that Colin MacIver was the true murderer. Joe's partner, Mike Petrakis managed to decypher Colin's coded notes, and reveal a paper trail of corruption.

Characters in "The Detective"

Major characters

*Detective Joe Leland - A private detective in Manitou, he investigates the supposed suicide of Colin MacIver per Norma's request. During his investigation, he uncovers corruption, fraud, lies, and a shocking connection to a case he solved while working on the police force.

*Karen Leland -

*Dr. Wendell Roberts -

*Colin MacIver -

*Norma MacIver -

Minor characters

*Mike Petrakis -

*Teddy Leikman -

*Felix Tesla -

*Dave Schoenstein -

*Curran -

*Florence -

*Mrs. MacIver -

*Betty Kaminsky -

*Murray Kaminsky -

Release details

*1966, Dial Press, hardcover, ISBN 0848803752
*April 1, 1986, Delta, paperback, ISBN 0385294697cite web | url=http://www.amazon.com/dp/0385294697/ | title="The Detective" Delta Publishing | publisher=Amazon.com | accessdate=2006-12-12]
*July 1987, Amereon Ltd, hardcover, ISBN 0848803752cite web | url=http://www.amazon.com/dp/0848803752/ | title="The Detective" 1987 hardcover | publisher=Amazon.com | accessdate=2006-12-12]

References