The Levanter Unknown - 1982

Eric Clifford Ambler was born in London. He wrote plays initially, but these failed to find an appreciative audience so he turned his talents to novels. In time he became established as the "'father of the modern spy novel," which led John Le Carre to later claim Ambler was the "one they all followed." He worked in America as a successful screen writer, but moved to Switzerland in 1969 where he continued to write novels, until returning to England in 1985. His central characters are believable, well-meaning amateur underdogs who somehow overcome extreme adversity to win. His later novels were great commercial successes. Many of his works have been filmed, notably "Topkapi." He was awarded four Gold Dagger Awards from the British Crime Writers Association and a Diamond Dagger for lifetime achievement in 1986. He was also awarded an Edgar by The Mystery Writers of America and was named as Grand Master in 1975.