I finished The Dark Frontier this evening. It was Eric Ambler's first novel. He did not shy from presenting his philosophical arguments about weapons of war and war itself. He started writing his novels in the 1930s and he uses the turmoil of Europe as a key element of his inter-war year stories. It is very educational to read his books from this period. At that time Europe was still recovering from WWI and the forces that triggered WWII were growing.

John Le Carré regarded Ambler as an inspiration for his writing. I can see elements of Ambler's writing that worked their way into le Carré's stories. I refer to the characters' introspecion and questioning of their roles, motivation and loyalties. Ambler's way of describing people in a few short comments was a technique Le Carré honed to perfection.

Having read four of Ambler's later novels I was wondering if I would find his first work a disappointment. I did not. I must admit I thought the premise a little juvenile when I first realised what it was, but then I went with the flow and found it more humorous than problematic.

Would I read more by Eric Ambler? Most definitely yes!

Would I recommend The Dark Frontier to anyone? Yes!

Who would I recommend it to? Anyone who enjoys espionage stories. If you have seen the original film of The Lady Vanishes then you know the type of atmosphere created in The Dark Frontier. If you enjoyed it and films of its ilk, then you will enjoy The Dark Frontier. ( )

--- A delightful and enjoyable story, driven by a case of ‘split personality’. Ambler’s introduction whets the appetite for the story, explaining some of the circumstances around the ideas he used for the story. The changing styles, from third person omniscient, to spy novel, to conscientious journalism are smooth and enhance the tale-telling. Ambler calls it a parody in his introduction, which is not quite convincing after reading the book. There are aspects of melodrama, but the passion and engagement of the author carry the reader well past the point of suspended disbelief. There is also, in retrospect, a tinge of autobiography, as the protagonist struggles to cope with his double life, ultimately with success, but at what cost to his identity. ( )