Here Lies Eric Ambler: An Autobiography

It's difficult to believe that this is the first review of Eric Ambler's autobiography, for Ambler is widely recognized as the inventor of the modern suspense novel. Furthermore, many of his fans -- including this reviewer -- believe that Ambler has never been surpassed in this genre. Personally, I would go still further and say that I have never read any author in any genre who surpasses Ambler as a writer. In this brilliantly understated autobiography Ambler puts forth the warts and all details of his youth and adulthood which caused a talented young prospective engineering student to abandon this respectable profession and turn to the writing of novels in a genre which, before he refined it, was held in low esteem. I won't pretend that his autobiography is as exciting as his masterful novels of intrigue, but it is very interesting and Ambler fans who read it will better understand this incredibly talented maverick author.