Drummer in the dark

by Francis Clifford

Book by Clifford, Francis

181 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1976

About the author

Francis Clifford is a pen name of Arthur Leonard Bell Thompson , a British writer of crime and thriller novels. He was born in Bristol, served with great distinction in the Second World War, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

Reviews

[Adarsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Francis Clifford's "Drummer in the dark" starts with the epigraph "Do not men die fast enough, without being destroyed by each other?". A set of explosions rock the United Kingdom, and Duncan Howard forgets his wife's birthday (in that order). The explosions are owned up by a group calling themselves "Touchbutton". Touchbutton is also their weapon, a new line of explosives working on radio waves, smuggled in from Eastern Europe.
Duncan Howard, a man obsessed with work, takes it upon him personally to nail the supplier of weapons -- an obsession that creeps into his personal life. Time is short and the terrorists are becoming bolder and bolder. "Drummer in the Dark" is not a normal espionage novel. You are not left to wonder who's the Tinker, who's the Tailor, who's the Soldier and who the Spy. There are few characters. Clifford is as focused as single-minded as Howard, so single minded that he disposes of elements such as suspense. "This is the guy we are up against, this is how he does it, and this is what we will do", he seems to say. The "Drummer in the Dark" is short, focused, and to the point. You get the feel, rightly, that the author knows his domain. However, you do wonder at the flatness of it all at times. The villains, at least the ones we meet, are amateurs, seemingly incapable of coordinated attacks (there is one unnamed "professional" at the beginning of the book). Also the "Drummer in the Dark" seems to be aiming at a subtle existential statement on how terror destroys the lives of both the perpetrators and the people who fight it. Is the book worth the read? I will leave the decision to you, as the book won't take much of your time.

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this author and found this book to be another terrific read.

[Greg Fletcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book. Although for some reason I wanted the "bad" guy to win. Not the evil genius, but the main character. He was in it just to make a buck and maybe a better life. However, he did have an inkling that the big guy was up to no good. So I guess it's like Baretta used to say. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time.....Baby!!!!

[John Pitcock · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the end, there was no end. So I’m reading and forming my own ending. And upon reaching the end of the book, I’m left with thinking more about the realities of life. Therefore this book makes you think and that’s always a good thing.

[Cindy Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An espionage thriller that stands above many because of the author’s deep analysis of the characters and their emotions.

[Craig Schlossin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good solid suspense novel.

[Mike Viccary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent and gripping read. Set in the 1970s. Iknew the author and reading this has helped understand a lite more if him. Can recommend it as a goid thriller.