Passage of Arms (Vintage Crime/Black Lizard) [Paperback]

Eric Ambler's name is so often invoked that I had to find out what the fuss was about. The titles currently available offer a guarantee of a good read and it is now possible for me to pronounce on them on the basis of some familiarity. Ambler's plots generally follow the fortunes of a lone male, drawn into criminal enterprise or espionage and struggling to survive. Passage of Arms (the arms in question being those uncovered in a Communist guerilla cache in Malaya) is more complexly plotted than other works but there is no loss of tension. The Far Eastern setting also differentiates it from other works and adds to the atmosphere of strangeness. The strands of the plot are skilfully interwoven and the result is the most satisfying that I have read. Ambler creates credible characters and plausible scenarios in a real page-turner of a book.

And by opposing end them.

In many respects, Eric Ambler was to the modern British suspense novel what Raymond Chandler and Dashiell Hammett were to the American detective novel. Ambler transformed the suspense novel from a simplistic black and white world of perfect good guys versus nefarious bad guys into a far more realistic world where sometimes the difference between good and evil is not all that great. In a series of books written before World War II Ambler would typically take an unassuming, unsuspecting civilian and immerse him in a world of mystery and intrigue in pre-war Europe. In those books the `hero' would find himself facing danger at the hands of the German or Italian villains.

Once the war ended Ambler's plots reflected a change in the world's political situation. The typical Ambler protagonist now found themselves at odd with other totalitarian forces such as the Soviet bloc such as in his "Judgment at Deltchev". In addition, Ambler broadened his geographic horizons and set some of his books in post-war Asia. In these instances the plot usually found itself centered on the intrigue that settled around the newly emerging nations of Asia as the old Europe ended its lingering colonial presence. "Passage at Arms" takes the reader on a "mystery tour" of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. Written in 1959, "Passage at Arms" is a fine example of Ambler's work.

The unassuming naif in this case is Greg Nilsen. Greg is a quintessential American tourist circa 1960. He is a solidly middle class businessman, the owner of a small manufacturing concern, who has managed to save up enough time and money to go on a lengthy cruise (on a cargo ship) with his wife Dorothy. Through a curious series of events, set up admirably by Ambler, Greg volunteers to act as a front man for the transportation and sale of a shipment of arms from Malaysia to Indonesia via the free trade zone of Singapore. As one expects in any Ambler book things do not quite go according to plan.

The book can be broken down into three distinct parts. In the opening third of the book, Ambler sets the scene. He introduces us to most of the characters (apart from the Nilsen's), introduces the reader to the book's locales, and traces the provenance of the arms that form the basis of the plot. In the second third, we see how Greg Nilsen is baited into taking part in the transaction. Finally, the last third of the book takes Nilsen to a rebel camp in Indonesia where he hopes to receive his payment. It is here that the plot boils over and events race to a typically (for Ambler) provocative conclusion.

Two of Ambler's strong points are his ability to set a scene and the strength of his characterizations. For example, Ambler's portrayal of the Indian plantation clerk, Girija Krishnan, living in Malaysia is excellent. Krishnan is the person who `finds' the arms in question. For Krishnan, the ability to sell the arms will facilitate his dream of buying a bus and starting a transport company. Ambler's character portrayals all `rang true' to me.

I have now read and reviewed ten (10) of Ambler's books so it was no surprise to me that I enjoyed Passage at Arms. Ambler's work has held up remarkably well in my opinion and the story lines still seem fresh even though these books were all written between 50 and 70 years ago. I have very much enjoyed reading Ambler and have no hesitation in recommending Passage at Arms to any reader. Fans of Deighton, Furst, or LeCarre would, I think, be delighted with his books.

I must have first read Passage of Arms when published, having
always stated that "thrillers" did not interest me. I didn't
care who did it or why it was done. I ate my hat!
I felt the story was compelling and it was so well written that
it was worth reading sentences again.
Since passing it to a friend. Where is it now? I have often thought about the
book over the years.
One is transported to a different Continent and into the
feelings of an interesting person.
Eric Ambler is tops, Have others read this unforgetable book?
Five star.