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The Seven File
Duke Farrel kidnaps the one-year-old daughter of the Bradleys, but when the nurse sees him, he decides she must be abducted as well
246 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1989
37 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
William P. McGivern
124 books25 followersWilliam P. McGivern was a novelist and screenwriter. In his early years he worked as a police reporter for the Philadelphia Bulletin and a reviewer and reporter for the Evening Bulletin in Philadelphia. Prior to his career in the newspaper business he served in the United States Army from 1943-1946.He moved to Los Angeles in 1960. His works include over twenty thrillers and mysteries as well as
Soldiers of 44
, a novel based on his experiences in World War II. His novels turned into movies include The Big Heat, Rouge Cop, Shield For Murder, Odds Against Tomorrow and the bestselling
Night of the Juggler
.In 1952 McGivern received an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America and served as president of that organization in 1980. He was the master of the hard-boiled detective novel.
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October 10, 2019
There isn't a description of this book so I will put in the one I found on http://www.speedymystery.com/william-...
It describes a kidnapping from beginning to end. Two of the central characters, as in Rogue Cop, are brothers. Duke Farrell was once a golden boy----strong, smart, athletic but of flawed character. Hank Farrell, not quite as strong, smart or athletically gifted as his older brother has stayed clear of Duke for many years until the two are brought together by the meticulously planned kidnapping of a wealthy family's child. McGivern shows that deeply flawed people are unlikely to carry out even the most perfect of schemes because they will inevitably deviate from the plan due to their own greed, cowardice and poor judgement. Despite numerous setbacks the kidnappers do manage to snatch the child and one must read through the final chapter to learn of the ultimate outcome of the crime. McGivern alternates the story's middle chapters between the kidnappers actions and the FBI's efforts to solve the crime and save the child. The chapters featuring the criminals are grippingly menacing and expose their gradual loss of control over events. The FBI chapters painstakingly detail the proceedures of a mid-twentieth century kidnapping investigation. A theme that emerges from McGivern's storytelling is that most of us are capable of at least one act of courage or one act of mercy, no matter how costly to ourselves, which can turn around a seeming lost situation. The action in the story takes place mostly in New York City and Maine. The title of the story derives from a code name that the FBI gives to this kidnapping investigation.
It describes a kidnapping from beginning to end. Two of the central characters, as in Rogue Cop, are brothers. Duke Farrell was once a golden boy----strong, smart, athletic but of flawed character. Hank Farrell, not quite as strong, smart or athletically gifted as his older brother has stayed clear of Duke for many years until the two are brought together by the meticulously planned kidnapping of a wealthy family's child. McGivern shows that deeply flawed people are unlikely to carry out even the most perfect of schemes because they will inevitably deviate from the plan due to their own greed, cowardice and poor judgement. Despite numerous setbacks the kidnappers do manage to snatch the child and one must read through the final chapter to learn of the ultimate outcome of the crime. McGivern alternates the story's middle chapters between the kidnappers actions and the FBI's efforts to solve the crime and save the child. The chapters featuring the criminals are grippingly menacing and expose their gradual loss of control over events. The FBI chapters painstakingly detail the proceedures of a mid-twentieth century kidnapping investigation. A theme that emerges from McGivern's storytelling is that most of us are capable of at least one act of courage or one act of mercy, no matter how costly to ourselves, which can turn around a seeming lost situation. The action in the story takes place mostly in New York City and Maine. The title of the story derives from a code name that the FBI gives to this kidnapping investigation.
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