The Detective (novel)

The Detective is a thriller/detective novel by American author Roderick Thorp, first published hardcover in 1966. It was made into the 1968 movie of the same name, starring Frank Sinatra, as Detective Joe Leland. Billed as, "An adult look at police life," The Detective went on to become one of the highest-grossing films of 1968 and one of the strongest box-office hits of Sinatra's acting career.

This article is about the Roderick Thorp novel. For the Arthur Hailey novel, see Detective (novel).
The Detective
1986 cover art
AuthorRoderick Thorp
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreThriller, detective
PublisherDial Press (1st Edition)[1]
Publication date
1966
Media typePrint (hardback & paperback)
Pages598 pp
ISBN0-8488-0375-2 [1]
Followed byNothing Lasts Forever 

A 1979 sequel, Nothing Lasts Forever, was later made into the 1988 film Die Hard, which spawned a series totalling five films.

Plot summary

Joe Leland, a private detective, begins investigating a case for the recently widowed Norma MacIver. Norma requests that Leland find out everything he can about her deceased husband. Norma requests Leland personally because her husband had mentioned knowing him in the past.

It turns out that Leland and Colin MacIver served in the same military unit during World War II, but at different times. Leland interviews Colin's first wife, Colin's mother, and the security guards at the track where Colin supposedly killed himself.

Norma introduces Leland to her neighbor and former therapist, Dr. Wendell Roberts. During their conversation, Wendell reveals that he knew Leland's wife Karen. It is revealed that Wendell was friends with the man with whom Karen Leland had had an affair.

As Leland's investigation deepens he uncovers evidence of corruption and murder. Eventually, Leland discovers that Colin was connected to a homicide during Leland's earlier life with the police department as a detective. During the investigation of Teddy Leikman's death, a confession was obtained from Felix Tesla, Leikman's roommate. Tesla was subsequently executed by electric chair. It turned out that Colin MacIver was the true murderer. Joe's partner, Mike Petrakis, managed to decipher Colin's coded notes and reveal a paper trail of corruption.

Characters in The Detective

Major characters
  • Detective Joe Leland - A private detective, he investigates the supposed suicide of Colin MacIver per Norma's request. During his investigation, he uncovers corruption, fraud, lies, and a shocking connection to a case he solved while working on the police force.
  • Karen Leland - Joe's wife.
  • Dr. Wendell Roberts - A psychiatrist.
  • Colin MacIver - A troubled man, murder or suicide victim.
  • Norma MacIver - Colin's widow.

Minor characters
  • Mike Petrakis
  • Teddy Leikman
  • Felix Tesla
  • Dave Schoenstein
  • Curran
  • Florence
  • Mrs. MacIver
  • Betty Kaminsky
  • Murray Kaminsky

Release details
  • 1966, Dial Press, hardcover, ISBN 0-8488-0375-2[1]
  • April 1, 1986, Delta, paperback, ISBN 0-385-29469-7[2]
  • July 1987, Amereon Ltd, hardcover, ISBN 0-8488-0375-2[3]

References
  1. "The Detective 1st Edition". AbeBooks.com. Retrieved 2007-02-02.
  2. "The Detective Delta Publishing". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2006-12-12.
  3. "The Detective 1987 hardcover". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2006-12-12.
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