Goldmine - London W.1 [Hardcover]

Philip Daniels (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 6, 1979

Edward Walton is released from prison, seeking revenge against the partner who had framed him and stolen his wife, while a man known as ""the major"" proposes a risky scheme that promises vengeance and untold millions of dollars.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Released from prison after serving three years on an embezzlement charge for which he was framed, architect Edward Walton moves according to a "timetable" and his careful methodology proves mesmerizing in this gem of a suspense story. Walton alters his appearance several times and dips into a hidden cache of money; gradually he courts a woman. A man called the Major approaches him with a lucrative plan to dig a tunnel under a vast department store where a safe is located. Walton is tempted but suspicious; he is also anxious to extract some measure of revenge on those who put him away. Can he have it all?--the girl, the goods and vengeance? And stay alive in the process? Daniels ( The Nice Quiet Girl ), who also publishes as Peter Chambers, is a pro who guarantees several well-timed surprises in the course of his tales. Characterization is sometimes scanted in this abbreviated work, but the tension established in the first 10 pages holds up to the end, which occurs in a dark place underground while most of London sleeps.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

In this new fiction by the author of The Nice Quiet Girl (St. Martin's, 1991) architect Edward Watson is betrayed by his wife, whose lover frames him for a crime, and he spends several years in prison thinking about the revenge he will take. But a mysterious man who knows everything about his past wants to use him to engineer a tunnel into one of the securest and richest vaults in London. With good reason, Edward does not trust his new employer, so he sets up substantial protections against double cross. From this point on, the book is essentially a pretty good caper novel, though Edward does manage to leave evidence suggesting that his wife's lover might have been responsible for the robbery. This short, brisk, involving book has as likable a noncrook/crook hero as one is likely to find. Recommended for crime collections.
- Marylaine Block, St. Ambrose Univ. Lib., Davenport, Ia.
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Robert Hale Ltd; First edition (September 6, 1979)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0709176627
• ISBN-13: 978-0709176626
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars You've Found Written Gold if You've Just Discovered Philip Daniels, February 10, 2011

By 

James N Simpson (Gold Coast, QLD Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Goldmine: London W.I. (Hardcover)

This is the first novel that Dennis Phillips (who also wrote under the more famous pen name Peter Chambers) wrote under the pseudonym Philip Daniels way back in 1979. Other than the fact that mobile phones clearly didn't exist, and a few references to prices, this great novel could easily be set today.

Goldmine London W1 (note the title's not called Goldmine London W.I., London W1 is the postal address, W1 being the postcode, where the main action takes place) is a story that once you start you won't want to put down. Basic plot is Edward Walton is released from prison for a crime he did not commit. He has spent his time in hell planning step by step what he will do upon his release. However a man who calls himself The Major, has his own plans for Walton and tails him to his hotel. The Major carries a gun which already puts him offside with Walton, he outlines a proposition for Walton to make $100 000 for a few days work but won't give him any of the main details. Walton doesn't like this game and realises he is pretty expendable once the caper is over since The Major holds all the cards. Walton has plans to turn the tables to make the Major keep his word.

This is only the second book I have read by the late Dennis Philips under any of his pen names. The first Foolproof was also under the Philip Daniels name and was also brilliant. If you're unfamiliar with this authors work its sort of similar to James Pattinson (not Patterson), Gerald Hammond, Donald E Westlake (especially under the Richard Stark penname) and other hard boiled crime authors.