An Eye For A Tooth

Chandos #6

by Dornford Yates

On the way home from Germany after having captured Axel the Red’s treasure, dapper Jonathan Mansel happens upon a corpse in the road, that of an Englishman. There ensues a gripping tale of adventure and vengeance of a rather gentlemanly kind. On publication this novel was such a hit that it was reprinted six times in its first year, and assured Yates’ huge popularity. A classic Richard Chandos thriller, which can be read alone or as part of a series including ‘Blind Corner’, ‘Blood Royal’, ‘Fire Below’ and ‘Perishable Goods’.

Genres: Mystery

264 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1943

About the author

Dornford Yates (real name Cecil William Mercer) was a popular British novelist.

Reviews

[Kevin Cannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unrevealed sequel to Blind Corner. Secret adventure between that and Perishable Goods. Another strong thriller with the original cast.

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is grippingly good. As good as Buchan. Yates ought to be better known. There is strong sense of menace which is achieved quite economically with neither too many words nor too few. It is good on male bonding as a group of men cohere in the face of danger. There are six men. The leader Mansell is idealised by his friends. There are two other men in the middle and below them are “the servants” and who are deeply respected as men for their individual talents and yet clearly servants who should and do know their place. The final show down in a decaying hunting lodge with a floor which can’t be trusted is memorably atmospheric and sinister.

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

What an odd book. I don't mean that in an entirely negative way, either. If I had to classify it, I'd probably call it a "spy procedural." We're dropped quickly into the story without ever being told anything about our characters' background, personality, appearance, or even exactly who and what they are—they seem to be private detectives or agents of a sort, who pretty much take the law into their own hands but are supposed to be firmly on the side of justice. Most of the story is made up of the minutiae of these agents and the criminals trying to out-maneuver each other—much creeping through dark woods at night, sabotaging cars, sending decoy telegrams and so forth; and that element of it is frankly quite suspenseful and entertaining. The sense of oddity that I felt, I think, comes from the juxtaposition of British narrative dryness and matter-of-factness with the villainy of some really evil antagonists who meet particularly ghastly ends (you might not want to read the last few chapters right before bed).

Though the book was published in 1943, it seems to be set somewhat earlier (somebody with mechanical knowledge might be able to date it by the cars), as the setting is in Austria and there's no reference to any current European war or political conflict, and only one Great War is referenced by the characters. I can only assume the author had a strong grudge over at least one of the world wars, owing to a few statements about the character and morals of anyone with German blood that will make you blink.

[Victoria Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

They are all starting to be a bit similar now but very enjoyable. This follows on from Safe Custody, ie after leaving coming back from Villach he found a dead body. Some quite brutal bits in fact, a bit chilling at the end.

[5greenway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cracking stuff. Memorably grim denouement.

[Michael Wilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent full of drama and adventure