The System
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Concealing his identity behind the Calvinistic beard, a well-established author now leaps fully-armed into the front rank of thriller-writers.
The System is fast, fierce, funny. The action takes place in Scotland today. As an insurance man, the hero has to deal with predictable situations. When he is pitchforked into a totally unpredictable situation George Cook is out of his element. With the mysterious and beautiful Miss Smith he is pursued by The System, a new vigilante movement, across half of the country before he spectacularly outwits it.
This book can be read for sheer adventure. But it also takes a canny poke at the high-powered salesmanship of ideologies. Henry Calvin explodes the myth with high-charged dynamite. This is the sort of thriller everybody hopes to find – and hardly ever does.
The System is fast, fierce, funny. The action takes place in Scotland today. As an insurance man, the hero has to deal with predictable situations. When he is pitchforked into a totally unpredictable situation George Cook is out of his element. With the mysterious and beautiful Miss Smith he is pursued by The System, a new vigilante movement, across half of the country before he spectacularly outwits it.
This book can be read for sheer adventure. But it also takes a canny poke at the high-powered salesmanship of ideologies. Henry Calvin explodes the myth with high-charged dynamite. This is the sort of thriller everybody hopes to find – and hardly ever does.
Published:1962 London, Hutchinson1964 London, Arrow1964 Zurich, Albert Muller Verlag
It was adapted for BBC Radio in the 1970s
Comments: “Full marks. Not to be missed by anyone who enjoys the zany and one really good comic character, the ferocious Molly.”The Guardian
“Lighthearted, fast … Some very lively characters”Sunday Times
“Let me recommend The System. A zestful little thriller that moves faster than anything since chandler buy a pseudonymous Henry Calvin on whose real identity I’d be glad of some guesses.”The New Statesman
“Admirably fast-moving”Kingsley Amis, Daily Express
“Lighthearted, fast … Some very lively characters”Sunday Times
“Let me recommend The System. A zestful little thriller that moves faster than anything since chandler buy a pseudonymous Henry Calvin on whose real identity I’d be glad of some guesses.”The New Statesman
“Admirably fast-moving”Kingsley Amis, Daily Express
Copyright 2025 The Estate of Clifford Hanley