The Conspirators

338 pp. Deckled edge. A World War II spy thriller. Provocative, but perhaps a slighter book than his previous novels, but with the odd held and the intense, exotic,often unreal stylistic beauty which gives his work its strange appeal. The novel is simply the story of a kill, set in Lisbon, present day amalgam of all Europe. Vincent, a Dutchman, framed and sent to prison by a Nazi, escapes with only one intent, the death of the man who sent him there. Second to revenge is his desire to see Irina, whom he had loved, but who has taken another lover, Hugo, whose strong physical appeal outweighed her instinctive distrust and dislike, Vincent's search through the Underground for the identity of his victim, his meeting again with Irina, the realization that Hugo is the man he is seeking, and the murder -- this makes the story. ABOUT THE FILM ADAPTATION: The Conspirators (aka Give Me This Woman) is a 1944 American Film-noir, World War II, drama, spy film, thriller directed by Jean Negulesco. The film stars Hedy Lamarr and Paul Henreid, features Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre in supporting roles and a cameo of Aurora Miranda singing a Fado.[1] The Conspirators was first considered a reunion of the Casablanca (1942) stars, who were originally offered leading roles.[2]