PANTHERS' MOON

New York, NY: M.S. Mill & William Morrow, 1948. First Edition, 2nd Printing . Hardcover. Very Good/Very Good. Text/BRAND NEW. Vintage, 1948 First Edition, 2nd Printing. Red linen boards/NF w/push to lower front corner & trace edge rubs. DJ/VG; w/chips, nips, closed tears, primarily to upper edges. Espionage from prolific British writer Victor Canning (1911 - 1986) known for novels & thrillers. This is Canning's 2nd (following The Chasm) post World War II work written in 1948 when he took a break from wartime service, and, adapted to film in 1950 by George Sherman under the title "Spy Hunt". Roger Quain's circus-owner uncle has him transport 2 black panthers from Milan to Paris. Before departure, Roger is approached by an attractive young woman, who says she is a member of British intelligence, in urgent need to smuggle microfilm out of Italy, and sees the panthers offering a perfect opportunity. But the train details in the Swiss Alps, and both panthers & the microfilm disappear! Adventurers gather to hunt the magnificent creatures, or, could it be they were actually stalking one another? Fine copy despite flaws.