The Care of Time (1981) is the last novel by British spy fiction writer Eric Ambler. It deals with the theme of international terrorism, using fictional unpublished memoirs of Russian terrorist Sergey Nechayev as a plot device.

The Care of Time
First edition
(publ. Farrar Straus Giroux)
AuthorEric Ambler
LanguageEnglish
PublisherFarrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication date
1981
Publication placeUnited Kingdom
Media typePrint
OCLC952979775
Preceded bySend No More Roses 

Plot

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Robert Halliday is forced by Karlis Zander to help edit the memoirs of a 19th century Russian terrorist Sergey Nechayev, otherwise Zander will detonate a bomb. Halliday soon discovers that Zander and his daughter are themselves threatened by a Middle Eastern terrorist group.

Reception

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Kirkus Reviews wrote that the book is "elaborately farfetched" and "doesn't quite triumph by the more conventional criteria for suspense".[1] However, P.D. James wrote "Ambler controls his complicated plot with brilliant expertise".[2]

Writing in 2015, John Gray described the book as "prescient".[3]

Adaptations

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The book was adapted for television in 1990, directed by John Davies, with Michael Brandon as Robert Halliday and Christopher Lee as Karlis Zander.

References

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  1. ^ "The Care of Time". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  2. ^ James, P. D. (6 September 1981). "Eric Ambler And The Arts of Intrigue". Washington Post. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  3. ^ Gray, John (22 August 2015). "A Point of View: The enduring relevance of Eric Ambler's spy novels". BBC News. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
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