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Ed Buchanan #2
The End of the Web: A Traditional British Thriller (The Classic Thriller series from the British Library)
Classic thriller fiction written in the Golden Age of Murder
"Sims proves to be an expert plotter..." --Booklist
Leo Selver, a middle-aged antiques dealer, is stunned when the beautiful and desirable Judy Latimer shows an interest in him. Soon they are lying in each other's arms, unaware that this embrace will be their last.
Popular opinion suggests that Leo murdered the girl, a theory Leo's wife--well aware of her husband's infidelities--refuses to accept.
Ed Buchanan, a former policeman who has known the Selvers since childhood, agrees to clear Leo's name. Selver and his fellow antique dealers had uncovered a secret and it is up to Ed to find the person willing to kill in order to protect it.
This exhilarating and innovative thriller was first published in 1976.
"Sims proves to be an expert plotter..." --Booklist
Leo Selver, a middle-aged antiques dealer, is stunned when the beautiful and desirable Judy Latimer shows an interest in him. Soon they are lying in each other's arms, unaware that this embrace will be their last.
Popular opinion suggests that Leo murdered the girl, a theory Leo's wife--well aware of her husband's infidelities--refuses to accept.
Ed Buchanan, a former policeman who has known the Selvers since childhood, agrees to clear Leo's name. Selver and his fellow antique dealers had uncovered a secret and it is up to Ed to find the person willing to kill in order to protect it.
This exhilarating and innovative thriller was first published in 1976.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1976
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
George Sims
61 books1 followerGeorge Sims served in the Army Intelligence Corps during WWII and then became a dealer in rare books and manuscripts, a world he exploits to the full in several of his thrillers including his first, The Terrible Door. Elected a member of the famous Detection Club, Sims was widely regarded as a master creator of creepy atmospheres in seemingly ordinary settings and his writing has been described as: "distinguished", "high above crime fiction average" and "sinister and unusual".
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 2, 2018
Although first published in 1976, the End of the Web feels as if it had been written decades earlier. It is written in a purposefully awkward and estranged manner, echoing the loneliness and awkwardness each person in it seems to feel. That distance and awkwardness unfortunately didn’t always work and made it a difficult read.
March 10, 2020
Dame Agatha Christie and Her Peers
Book 56 - 1976
Two books in one?
CAST - 2: Eddy Buchanan, former race car driver/policeman/neighborhood tough guy but now just drifting around is the most interesting character, imo, but he doesn't show up until the midpoint of the novel, at which point the novel switches gears. Leo Selver, married antique dealer, has an affair with the much younger Judy Latimer. (Judy appears then disappears, I missed her connection with the story I suppose.) Sidney Chard and "Manny" are also antique dealers and are part of some kind of "Ring" of dealers up to something other than antiques. Phillip Tureck is an "AC-DC" guy who Eddy meets in Greece: Tureck hands the keys to his home in London so Eddy can stay there for a while, perhaps to take care of a cat named Jake!???! Then there is "X" who might be anyone. Yes, Eddy is interesting, but the cast just doesn't come together. And we don't learn at all why some characters are even here, like Stella and Niko, a couple building a small house in Greece.
ATMOSPHERE - 2: There are some minor discussions about antiques and some good references to music ("Buchanan had been a fan of reggae since its early days when it was known as rocksteady, bluebeat and ska.") I liked the inclusion of some Joni Mitchell lyrics also. But the story and atmospheres just don't come together. It seemed to me there is much "word filling" here to up the word count. One character is described as "a very strange bloke" as his "groceries were left at the gates of his estate..." (Proving again there is nothing new under the sun.)
CRIME - 2: Several vicious murders occur during the first half of the book, then the story switches rails to one about a valuable antique. This novel reads like 2 novels stuck together. Each section, on their own, are interesting, but not so much in the same book.
INVESTIGATION - 2: Buchanan suddenly turns into a sort of super hero getting out of various scrapes in the nick of time. But several of these scrapes are similar. His investigation consists mostly of fist fights.
RESOLUTION - 1: Nope, didn't get it, couldn't put the pieces together. By page 120 of 172, I had a hard time turning the pages, I just didn't really care.
SUMMARY - 1.8 stars. There are murder mysteries then there are thrillers then there are international spy stories. It's tough to pull all three facets into one book. Sims gives it a decent shot, though. I think either 1) this novel should have been meatier in all sections or 2) maybe two novellas. Martin Edwards, in the introduction, quotes Sims as saying, "My talent is a small one. But even people with small talents can do something with them." I absolutely agree with the author.
Book 56 - 1976
Two books in one?
CAST - 2: Eddy Buchanan, former race car driver/policeman/neighborhood tough guy but now just drifting around is the most interesting character, imo, but he doesn't show up until the midpoint of the novel, at which point the novel switches gears. Leo Selver, married antique dealer, has an affair with the much younger Judy Latimer. (Judy appears then disappears, I missed her connection with the story I suppose.) Sidney Chard and "Manny" are also antique dealers and are part of some kind of "Ring" of dealers up to something other than antiques. Phillip Tureck is an "AC-DC" guy who Eddy meets in Greece: Tureck hands the keys to his home in London so Eddy can stay there for a while, perhaps to take care of a cat named Jake!???! Then there is "X" who might be anyone. Yes, Eddy is interesting, but the cast just doesn't come together. And we don't learn at all why some characters are even here, like Stella and Niko, a couple building a small house in Greece.
ATMOSPHERE - 2: There are some minor discussions about antiques and some good references to music ("Buchanan had been a fan of reggae since its early days when it was known as rocksteady, bluebeat and ska.") I liked the inclusion of some Joni Mitchell lyrics also. But the story and atmospheres just don't come together. It seemed to me there is much "word filling" here to up the word count. One character is described as "a very strange bloke" as his "groceries were left at the gates of his estate..." (Proving again there is nothing new under the sun.)
CRIME - 2: Several vicious murders occur during the first half of the book, then the story switches rails to one about a valuable antique. This novel reads like 2 novels stuck together. Each section, on their own, are interesting, but not so much in the same book.
INVESTIGATION - 2: Buchanan suddenly turns into a sort of super hero getting out of various scrapes in the nick of time. But several of these scrapes are similar. His investigation consists mostly of fist fights.
RESOLUTION - 1: Nope, didn't get it, couldn't put the pieces together. By page 120 of 172, I had a hard time turning the pages, I just didn't really care.
SUMMARY - 1.8 stars. There are murder mysteries then there are thrillers then there are international spy stories. It's tough to pull all three facets into one book. Sims gives it a decent shot, though. I think either 1) this novel should have been meatier in all sections or 2) maybe two novellas. Martin Edwards, in the introduction, quotes Sims as saying, "My talent is a small one. But even people with small talents can do something with them." I absolutely agree with the author.
November 20, 2017
Beware the spider!
Leo Selver's marriage has never been the same since his young son died, and he has taken to having a string of short affairs. When we meet him he is just about to embark on a new one, with a beautiful young woman called Judy Latimer. But Leo is worried about some business deal he seems to be involved in with a man he doesn't really trust. Soon things are going to turn nasty – very nasty – for Leo and his business partner. And it will be up to Ed Buchanan, former policeman and old family friend, to try to work out what's going on before things get even nastier...
This may be one of the vaguest little intros I've ever written and that's quite intentional. One of the things I've noticed most since I've being reading some of these older crime novels is that authors were far more willing to mess with the reader's expectations and play with structure than we tend to think. This book is a prime example of that. The beginning follows a fairly conventional pattern for a thriller – ordinary man caught up in a situation that brings him into danger – and it looks as though it will go on in the traditional way, with him struggling to extricate himself from the mess he's in. But then the author turns it on its head, and the book suddenly veers off in an entirely unexpected direction. I was taken aback, I must admit, but it works well, lifting this out of standard thriller territory into something a little more original.
Published in 1976, the book is set only a few years earlier in 1973, mostly in London though with trips out to the countryside and also over to Amsterdam. As with most thrillers (back in those happy far-off days, before turgid soggy middles and endless angst became obligatory), it goes at a cracking pace but, despite this, the author creates a good feel for the time period through references to some of the music and clothes, etc., and his sense of place is just as good.
The characterisation is also very good, achieved with an admirable brevity of description. Leo isn't exactly likeable, especially to a modern (female) audience who might feel that he should have spent a bit more time thinking about his wife's feelings rather than indulging in sad, middle-aged fantasies about young women, but his grief over the death of his son is real and makes it possible for the reader to sympathise. He's no hero, as he discovered himself during the war, but when the chips are down he does his best.
Ed, who becomes the main character as the book progresses, is however an excellent hero! Ex-boxer, ex-policeman, all round nice guy with a bit of a romantic streak, he manages the tricky balancing act of being tough with the baddies but gentle and caring with the women in his life – not just his romantic interest, but with Leo's wife, whom he looks on almost as a surrogate mother. And remarkably for the period, he doesn't patronise them! It's a short thriller, but Sims still finds room for Ed to develop over time, so that in the course of the novel he gets to know himself better and make changes in the way he lives his life.
There's plenty of action and a plot that hints at what I discovered later from Martin Edwards' intro to be true – that Sims himself had connections to the code-breaking facility at Bletchley Park during the war. There are some seriously chilling moments and some touching ones, and a dash of humour from time to time to keep the thing from becoming too bleak. The writing is very good and the pace never falters. Bearing in mind that it's the '70s, Sims seems to be quite forward-thinking, managing to avoid the usual pitfalls of blatant sexism, etc., and he in fact paints a positive picture of the burgeoning multi-culturalism that was beginning to really take off in London at that period. All-in-all, I thoroughly enjoyed this, and will certainly look out for more from Sims. I hope the British Library will resurrect more of these thrillers – from this example, they'll be just as enjoyable as the mystery novels they've been re-issuing.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
Leo Selver's marriage has never been the same since his young son died, and he has taken to having a string of short affairs. When we meet him he is just about to embark on a new one, with a beautiful young woman called Judy Latimer. But Leo is worried about some business deal he seems to be involved in with a man he doesn't really trust. Soon things are going to turn nasty – very nasty – for Leo and his business partner. And it will be up to Ed Buchanan, former policeman and old family friend, to try to work out what's going on before things get even nastier...
This may be one of the vaguest little intros I've ever written and that's quite intentional. One of the things I've noticed most since I've being reading some of these older crime novels is that authors were far more willing to mess with the reader's expectations and play with structure than we tend to think. This book is a prime example of that. The beginning follows a fairly conventional pattern for a thriller – ordinary man caught up in a situation that brings him into danger – and it looks as though it will go on in the traditional way, with him struggling to extricate himself from the mess he's in. But then the author turns it on its head, and the book suddenly veers off in an entirely unexpected direction. I was taken aback, I must admit, but it works well, lifting this out of standard thriller territory into something a little more original.
Published in 1976, the book is set only a few years earlier in 1973, mostly in London though with trips out to the countryside and also over to Amsterdam. As with most thrillers (back in those happy far-off days, before turgid soggy middles and endless angst became obligatory), it goes at a cracking pace but, despite this, the author creates a good feel for the time period through references to some of the music and clothes, etc., and his sense of place is just as good.
The characterisation is also very good, achieved with an admirable brevity of description. Leo isn't exactly likeable, especially to a modern (female) audience who might feel that he should have spent a bit more time thinking about his wife's feelings rather than indulging in sad, middle-aged fantasies about young women, but his grief over the death of his son is real and makes it possible for the reader to sympathise. He's no hero, as he discovered himself during the war, but when the chips are down he does his best.
Ed, who becomes the main character as the book progresses, is however an excellent hero! Ex-boxer, ex-policeman, all round nice guy with a bit of a romantic streak, he manages the tricky balancing act of being tough with the baddies but gentle and caring with the women in his life – not just his romantic interest, but with Leo's wife, whom he looks on almost as a surrogate mother. And remarkably for the period, he doesn't patronise them! It's a short thriller, but Sims still finds room for Ed to develop over time, so that in the course of the novel he gets to know himself better and make changes in the way he lives his life.
There's plenty of action and a plot that hints at what I discovered later from Martin Edwards' intro to be true – that Sims himself had connections to the code-breaking facility at Bletchley Park during the war. There are some seriously chilling moments and some touching ones, and a dash of humour from time to time to keep the thing from becoming too bleak. The writing is very good and the pace never falters. Bearing in mind that it's the '70s, Sims seems to be quite forward-thinking, managing to avoid the usual pitfalls of blatant sexism, etc., and he in fact paints a positive picture of the burgeoning multi-culturalism that was beginning to really take off in London at that period. All-in-all, I thoroughly enjoyed this, and will certainly look out for more from Sims. I hope the British Library will resurrect more of these thrillers – from this example, they'll be just as enjoyable as the mystery novels they've been re-issuing.
NB This book was provided for review by the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press.
www.fictionfanblog.wordpress.com
January 11, 2018
A real British, Kitchen Sink-esque novel, which, if that's your bag, is well done. Honestly, to me it reads more like a rebuttal than a piece of work in itself - in a teenager just back from their first semester of college, we all know you took a sociology class, sullen sort of way. As such, I'd recommend a pass but, since it's not badly written, someone may enjoy it.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from the publishers and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2018
The hero and indeed the entire book are entirely creatures of the 1970s. Imagine an old spice ad brought to life in a thriller. It’s not bad in a tale of an ex copper out to solve the death of an art dealer. Beyond the period flair there is a decent story.
March 8, 2023
This was just bloody boring for the most part. It’s not exactly poorly written, but not that interesting. It felt like a rollercoaster in which one moment would be peak height of interest, only to immediately drop into something dull. And some of the bouncing around was just annoying, I felt like I was learning about too many people that I didn’t need to know about.
August 6, 2017
Got to admit this felt dated and I am surprised it has been picked up by British Library Classics. I am being generous with the star rating.
September 12, 2024
Probably a 3.5 but I really enjoyed this quirky mid 70s thriller.
September 4, 2024
[Penguin Books] (1978). SB. 152 Pages. Purchased from G. D. Price.
Quite a page-turner. Interesting, well-drawn characters. There are strange and creepy elements; as well captured by Paul Wakefield’s fine cover photo.
George Sims, whilst shy of being a master pen-man, was certainly an original, sophisticated and quirky author.
Quite a page-turner. Interesting, well-drawn characters. There are strange and creepy elements; as well captured by Paul Wakefield’s fine cover photo.
George Sims, whilst shy of being a master pen-man, was certainly an original, sophisticated and quirky author.
December 10, 2017
The End of the Web is an unusual mystery. It starts out conventionally enough. There’s Leo, a middle-aged antique dealer, who is flattered that the lovely, young Judy Latimer seems attracted to him and he’s not the type to be faithful. He’s got things on his mind, though, a dubious business deal and a missing colleague. But, just as you settle yourself into what seems to be a honey trap and how-to-get-out-of-it story, everything is turned upside down completely and all assumptions are tossed out the window. It was quite shocking and a bold departure from form.
Enter Ed Buchanan who has the makings of a series detective, a former cop, a former race car driver, but he lacks drive. He’s a half-hearted detective at best, not sure there really is a mystery despite some odd and suspicious circumstances. He seems more interested in pursuing Leo’s young employee than the mystery.
While well-written in terms of creating an environment that is so real we can almost feel the air, the cold rain, the wind, and wet, this book feels incomplete. Even the main character Ed feels as though the story is not done at the end. Ed does not so much solve the case as have it explained to him by one person and have the murder announce himself at the end. However, even though I roll my eyes at the villain explaining the conspiracy at the end in movies and books, I do think this killer had some explaining to do and didn’t.
Worse, the murderer was obvious at the first encounter. If you read mysteries fairly often, you recognize certain characteristics as ones that announce the murderer as loudly as royal heralds. They include the person who inserts him or herself into the investigation or the person with the perfect alibi or the person who is too helpful, too knowledgeable. Of course, recognizing the murderer didn’t ruin the story because I could have been wrong (I wasn’t.) and even knowing the identity of the killer not supply a motive. The why of the murders is the real mystery…and to be honest, that is not satisfactorily solved. There is a court card in this story and we can’t be sure it was found.
I received an e-galley of The End of the Web from the publisher through NetGalley.
The End of the Web at Poisoned Pen Press
George Sims obituary in The Independent
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
Enter Ed Buchanan who has the makings of a series detective, a former cop, a former race car driver, but he lacks drive. He’s a half-hearted detective at best, not sure there really is a mystery despite some odd and suspicious circumstances. He seems more interested in pursuing Leo’s young employee than the mystery.
While well-written in terms of creating an environment that is so real we can almost feel the air, the cold rain, the wind, and wet, this book feels incomplete. Even the main character Ed feels as though the story is not done at the end. Ed does not so much solve the case as have it explained to him by one person and have the murder announce himself at the end. However, even though I roll my eyes at the villain explaining the conspiracy at the end in movies and books, I do think this killer had some explaining to do and didn’t.
Worse, the murderer was obvious at the first encounter. If you read mysteries fairly often, you recognize certain characteristics as ones that announce the murderer as loudly as royal heralds. They include the person who inserts him or herself into the investigation or the person with the perfect alibi or the person who is too helpful, too knowledgeable. Of course, recognizing the murderer didn’t ruin the story because I could have been wrong (I wasn’t.) and even knowing the identity of the killer not supply a motive. The why of the murders is the real mystery…and to be honest, that is not satisfactorily solved. There is a court card in this story and we can’t be sure it was found.
I received an e-galley of The End of the Web from the publisher through NetGalley.
The End of the Web at Poisoned Pen Press
George Sims obituary in The Independent
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
November 2, 2017
For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
February 20, 2024
A pleasant, intriguing read, which I did really enjoy! Thrillers can be difficult to get right but you are kept on the edge of your seat the whole way, trying to figure out the puzzle, working out the solution. Not sure anyone might guess it though.
The characters are well written, with satisfying depth, and there are some nice moments of gratification, but the book lacks a clear oomph that takes it to the next level.
You find yourself lurching between different characters and locations, but there are so many red herrings it's hard to keep track of what you should be paying attention to.
Definitely had potential to be even better, but a decent enough read that wasn't bad, wasn't life changing.
The characters are well written, with satisfying depth, and there are some nice moments of gratification, but the book lacks a clear oomph that takes it to the next level.
You find yourself lurching between different characters and locations, but there are so many red herrings it's hard to keep track of what you should be paying attention to.
Definitely had potential to be even better, but a decent enough read that wasn't bad, wasn't life changing.
September 9, 2017
The twists in this book and wondering who-done-it kept me reading. Leo Selver, a middle-aged antiques dealer, is stunned when the beautiful and desirable Judy Latimer shows an interest in him. Soon they are lying in each other's arms, unaware that this embrace will be their last.
Popular opinion suggests that Leo murdered the girl, a theory Leo's wife - well aware of her husband's infidelities - refuses to accept.
Ed Buchanan, a former policeman who has known the Selvers since childhood, agrees to clear Leo's name. Selver and his fellow antique dealers had uncovered a secret and it is up to Ed to find the person willing to kill in order to protect it.
Popular opinion suggests that Leo murdered the girl, a theory Leo's wife - well aware of her husband's infidelities - refuses to accept.
Ed Buchanan, a former policeman who has known the Selvers since childhood, agrees to clear Leo's name. Selver and his fellow antique dealers had uncovered a secret and it is up to Ed to find the person willing to kill in order to protect it.
November 5, 2017
Another great British Library Classic.
This story, relatively recent by some of the other reissues, is set in 60's London in the antique dealers community.
The characters are well described and the story bowls along, in twists and turns, at a brisk pace.
I was unaware of previous novels by this author so will look out for more of his.
Very highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Poisoned Pen Press via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review, which I am very happy to do.
This story, relatively recent by some of the other reissues, is set in 60's London in the antique dealers community.
The characters are well described and the story bowls along, in twists and turns, at a brisk pace.
I was unaware of previous novels by this author so will look out for more of his.
Very highly recommended.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Poisoned Pen Press via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review, which I am very happy to do.
June 17, 2024
More evidence that the British Library Classic Thrillers (and their other series for detection and SF BTW - see some of my other reviews) are well worth a look. A snappy tale of antique dealing and high ranking traitors. I think some of the hinting about popular conspiracy theories is a bit hokey (no spoilers) but apart from that it is well plotted and has a range of convincing characters. The book is also quite atmospheric and gives a good sense of the UK in the early 1970s. I will definitely keep an eye out for more work by this author based on this book.
April 6, 2020
It felt in parts like something that I had read before - The Antiquarian - being an art dealer involved in something a little shady. It was an okay read for me - just no connection.
April 3, 2019
A tale of murder and blackmail.
The storyline was quite good, but the writing felt a bit dated.
Reading time around two and a half hours.
The storyline was quite good, but the writing felt a bit dated.
Reading time around two and a half hours.
January 28, 2018
I was first skeptical about "The End of the Web," not sure if I wanted to read another book by the author after finishing another title, "The Last Best Friend," few weeks ago. My hesitation is caused by the fact that George Sims' writing is full of tedious, seemingly irrelevant details. I am glad I have given Sims another chance because "The End of the Web" is an intense crime story with an unexpected plot development about 1/3 along the way. "The End of the Web" indeed is a refined, sophisticated and pacy read that delivers a good level of satisfaction in my opinion.
First published in 1976, "The End of the Web" is not at all THE exciting thriller if using current standards and expectations. George Sims' style and writing, though dated, excellently portrait the multi-dimensional characters and acutely create the proper ambiance for the historical backdrop. A wordy piece of work, but the details are being put there with purposes. No doubt, Sims crafts story with chilling moments in "The End of the Web." His description on how the spider, literally the culprit, patiently weave its web for trapping the preys and wait for the victims to fall into the traps gives me goosebumps.
"The End of the Web" is a nice addition to the British Library Classic Thrillers published by Poisoned Pen Press. Thanks Netgallery and the publisher for providing me a chance to preview such a wonderful title.
First published in 1976, "The End of the Web" is not at all THE exciting thriller if using current standards and expectations. George Sims' style and writing, though dated, excellently portrait the multi-dimensional characters and acutely create the proper ambiance for the historical backdrop. A wordy piece of work, but the details are being put there with purposes. No doubt, Sims crafts story with chilling moments in "The End of the Web." His description on how the spider, literally the culprit, patiently weave its web for trapping the preys and wait for the victims to fall into the traps gives me goosebumps.
"The End of the Web" is a nice addition to the British Library Classic Thrillers published by Poisoned Pen Press. Thanks Netgallery and the publisher for providing me a chance to preview such a wonderful title.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews