What do you think?
Rate this book
Gregory Sallust #1
Contraband
'Before there was James Bond, there was Gregory Sallust.' Tina Rosenberg, Salon.comContraband is the first in Dennis Wheatley's bestselling Gregory Sallust series featuring the debonair spy Gregory Sallust, a forerunner to Ian Fleming's James Bond.Gregory Sallust is a British Intelligence agent; a self-reliant thrill seeker with a love of adventure and a weakness for women.As Sallust enjoys a holiday in France before starting a new mission, he is intrigued by a beautiful woman in a casino. Captivated by the elusive Sabine, he follows her to a rendezvous with a mystery airman at midnight. The next morning, Sallust finds himself under attack and, although he escapes danger, Sabine disappears.Returning to England, Sallust discovers a ring of smugglers orchestrating the dispatch of heavy bombers with contraband goods. When he discovers that an inspector from Scotland Yard is also on the case, and that Sabine may be involved, his loyalties are torn.In a thrilling start to the Gregory Sallust series, Contraband is a story of international intrigue where planes flit by night to secret landing grounds, and near-death experiences are masterfully stretched to nail-biting conclusions.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1936
20 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Dennis Wheatley
384 books248 followersDennis Yates Wheatley (8 January 1897 – 10 November 1977) [Born: Dennis Yeats Wheatley] was an English author. His prolific output of stylish thrillers and occult novels made him one of the world's best-selling authors in the 1950s and 1960s.
His first book, Three Inquisitive People, was not immediately published; but his first published novel, The Forbidden Territory, was an immediate success when published in 1933, being reprinted seven times in seven weeks.
He wrote adventure stories, with many books in a series of linked works. His plots covered the French Revolution (Roger Brook Series), Satanism (Duc de Richleau), World War II (Gregory Sallust) and espionage (Julian Day).
In the thirties, he conceived a series of whodunit mysteries, presented as case files, with testimonies, letters, pieces of evidence such as hairs or pills. The reader had to go through the evidence to solve the mystery before unsealing the last pages of the file, which gave the answer. Four of these 'Crime Dossiers' were published: Murder Off Miami, Who Killed Robert Prentice, The Malinsay Massacre, and Herewith The Clues.
In the 1960s his publishers were selling a million copies of his books per year. A small number of his books were made into films by Hammer, of which the best known is The Devil Rides Out (book 1934, film 1968). His writing is very descriptive and in many works he manages to introduce his characters into real events while meeting real people. For example, in the Roger Brook series the main character involves himself with Napoleon, and Joséphine whilst being a spy for the Prime Minister William Pitt. Similarly, in the Gregory Sallust series, Sallust shares an evening meal with Hermann Göring.
He also wrote non-fiction works, including accounts of the Russian Revolution and King Charles II, and his autobiography. He was considered an authority on the supernatural, satanism, the practice of exorcism, and black magic, to all of which he was hostile. During his study of the paranormal, though, he joined the Ghost Club.
From 1974 through 1977 he edited a series of 45 paperback reprints for the British publisher Sphere under the heading "The Dennis Wheatley Library of the Occult", selecting the titles and writing short introductions for each book. This series included both occult-themed novels by the likes of Bram Stoker and Aleister Crowley and non-fiction works on magic, occultism, and divination by authors such as the Theosophist H. P. Blavatsky, the historian Maurice Magre, the magician Isaac Bonewits, and the palm-reader Cheiro.
Two weeks before his death in November 1977, Wheatley received conditional absolution from his old friend Cyril ‘Bobby’ Eastaugh, the Bishop of Peterborough.
His estate library was sold in a catalogue sale by Basil Blackwell's in the 1970s, indicating a thoroughly well-read individual with wide-ranging interests particularly in historical fiction and Europe. His influence has declined, partly due to difficulties in reprinting his works owing to copyright problems.
Fifty-two of Wheatley's novels were published posthumously in a set by Heron Books UK. More recently, in April 2008 Dennis Wheatley's literary estate was acquired by media company Chorion.
He invented a number of board games including Invasion.
-Wikipedia
His first book, Three Inquisitive People, was not immediately published; but his first published novel, The Forbidden Territory, was an immediate success when published in 1933, being reprinted seven times in seven weeks.
He wrote adventure stories, with many books in a series of linked works. His plots covered the French Revolution (Roger Brook Series), Satanism (Duc de Richleau), World War II (Gregory Sallust) and espionage (Julian Day).
In the thirties, he conceived a series of whodunit mysteries, presented as case files, with testimonies, letters, pieces of evidence such as hairs or pills. The reader had to go through the evidence to solve the mystery before unsealing the last pages of the file, which gave the answer. Four of these 'Crime Dossiers' were published: Murder Off Miami, Who Killed Robert Prentice, The Malinsay Massacre, and Herewith The Clues.
In the 1960s his publishers were selling a million copies of his books per year. A small number of his books were made into films by Hammer, of which the best known is The Devil Rides Out (book 1934, film 1968). His writing is very descriptive and in many works he manages to introduce his characters into real events while meeting real people. For example, in the Roger Brook series the main character involves himself with Napoleon, and Joséphine whilst being a spy for the Prime Minister William Pitt. Similarly, in the Gregory Sallust series, Sallust shares an evening meal with Hermann Göring.
He also wrote non-fiction works, including accounts of the Russian Revolution and King Charles II, and his autobiography. He was considered an authority on the supernatural, satanism, the practice of exorcism, and black magic, to all of which he was hostile. During his study of the paranormal, though, he joined the Ghost Club.
From 1974 through 1977 he edited a series of 45 paperback reprints for the British publisher Sphere under the heading "The Dennis Wheatley Library of the Occult", selecting the titles and writing short introductions for each book. This series included both occult-themed novels by the likes of Bram Stoker and Aleister Crowley and non-fiction works on magic, occultism, and divination by authors such as the Theosophist H. P. Blavatsky, the historian Maurice Magre, the magician Isaac Bonewits, and the palm-reader Cheiro.
Two weeks before his death in November 1977, Wheatley received conditional absolution from his old friend Cyril ‘Bobby’ Eastaugh, the Bishop of Peterborough.
His estate library was sold in a catalogue sale by Basil Blackwell's in the 1970s, indicating a thoroughly well-read individual with wide-ranging interests particularly in historical fiction and Europe. His influence has declined, partly due to difficulties in reprinting his works owing to copyright problems.
Fifty-two of Wheatley's novels were published posthumously in a set by Heron Books UK. More recently, in April 2008 Dennis Wheatley's literary estate was acquired by media company Chorion.
He invented a number of board games including Invasion.
-Wikipedia
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 7, 2024
Whenever I read a Dennis Wheatley novel, and I read very many of them when I was a teenager (indeed my entry to the Civil Service was influenced by a long essay I wrote in the English Literature paper on 'Authors that I admire' and I chose Dennis Wheatley) I realise what a good writer he is and how he always maintains suspense throughout his novels. And 'Contraband' (one I had not read before) is no different. It is all action from first page to last as Gregory Sallust goes about his business in trying to uncover a contraband operation that has more far reaching implications.
A scuffle in the casino in Deauville sets the tone as Gregory Sallust tangles with then unknown opponents and rescues someone who turns out to be Inspector Gerry West of Scotland Yard. At the time of the scuffle he meets a beautiful lady, Sabine, who he immediately takes a shine to and who he takes to his lodgings for protection. She disappears the following morning and Gregory is left wondering exactly who she is ... he is to find out to his cost as the novel progresses.
It transpires that there are aeroplanes ferrying contraband goods to various secret landing places in England and Sallust joins up with West to try to get to the bottom of it all as the secret work at night baffles them all. Running the contraband operation is the mysterious and elusive Lord Gavin Fortescue.
In a series of hair-raising adventures, many in the dead of night, Sallust and West, plus their associates, get on the tail of smugglers and, nearly losing their lives at one point in a frightening series of events, eventually confront those responsible, which includes the beautiful Sabine. But Sallust is unhappy to implicate this lady in the plot and endeavours to ease her out of it and his romantic attachment to her may well overcome his desire to see full justice done.
'Contraband' is a thrill-a-minute novel and well worth the read.
A scuffle in the casino in Deauville sets the tone as Gregory Sallust tangles with then unknown opponents and rescues someone who turns out to be Inspector Gerry West of Scotland Yard. At the time of the scuffle he meets a beautiful lady, Sabine, who he immediately takes a shine to and who he takes to his lodgings for protection. She disappears the following morning and Gregory is left wondering exactly who she is ... he is to find out to his cost as the novel progresses.
It transpires that there are aeroplanes ferrying contraband goods to various secret landing places in England and Sallust joins up with West to try to get to the bottom of it all as the secret work at night baffles them all. Running the contraband operation is the mysterious and elusive Lord Gavin Fortescue.
In a series of hair-raising adventures, many in the dead of night, Sallust and West, plus their associates, get on the tail of smugglers and, nearly losing their lives at one point in a frightening series of events, eventually confront those responsible, which includes the beautiful Sabine. But Sallust is unhappy to implicate this lady in the plot and endeavours to ease her out of it and his romantic attachment to her may well overcome his desire to see full justice done.
'Contraband' is a thrill-a-minute novel and well worth the read.
September 9, 2024
Fascinating to experience the threats and priorities of the 1930s, in this glorious piece of propaganda.
My copy is a wartime Services edition, with tiny print crammed on as few pages as possible so it could be slipped in a pocket.
Living in east Kent, I can confirm that the descriptions of locations are entirely accurate, albeit rather more bucolic almost 100 years ago.
I usually stick to Dennis’ black magic books but this is a terrific piece of history and a great thriller (although very un-pc, of course).
My copy is a wartime Services edition, with tiny print crammed on as few pages as possible so it could be slipped in a pocket.
Living in east Kent, I can confirm that the descriptions of locations are entirely accurate, albeit rather more bucolic almost 100 years ago.
I usually stick to Dennis’ black magic books but this is a terrific piece of history and a great thriller (although very un-pc, of course).
March 22, 2019
Its not literature, but its good story telling. That's surely the academic evaluation of this ripping yarn. You can get the Greg Sallust stories in cheap pulp paperbacks with tacky illustrations on the cover, or in a hard-bound, red leatherette editions with fancy gilded inlays and a faux silk ribbon bookmark. Its still not really 'literary,' but you can feel smart with the elegant harback.
But what a lively and speedy story told from a master story-teller's wild imagination! I felt like I was in seventh grade again, reading "Hold Zero!" by Jean Craighead George, that first book that gripped my young imagination and stuck with me, inspiring daydreams of home-built rockets launched from secret hideouts in the marshes. I was transported from my couch to exhausting adventures and tension-filled moments, death defying stunts, nick-of-time rescues, and passionate love (without defiling details). It was very much that same feeling I had when reading Alfred Hitchcock's "Three Investigator" books when I was young - I couldn't wait to see what happened next
Wheatley is a controversial writer, he was wrapped up in shady occult acquaintances and wrote later on such topics extensively. But what redeems the man, and raises teh hacvkles of occultists, is that he always sets his characters against evil, places anything dark against the forces of goodness, and tells tales from a position of traditional right-and-wrong. Additionally, he was an ardent opponent of Marxism, communism, and the out-workings of that evil worldview as it was manifest in his day. He's certainly no angelic good boy, but his Sallust stories seem to take the higher road. They are hailed as grand mystery, spy and crime adventures of the most fast-paced kind. Sometimes you just need a tale of that sort.
The story hinged on the work of an English contraband ring who's great mission seemed rather far fetched, but in retrospect would have fit well with the fears of the day. The bad guy, a prototype of a James Bond villain, the grotesque Lord Gavin Fortescue, organized a crime web of grand proportions. As kingpin of the smugglers, he was bent on ruining the King's economy, smuggling goods into England and supporting a black market that subverted government trade-protection schemes: tariffs, regulatory fees, and market-fixing rules foisted on the people of the United Kingdom by, ironically, big-government economic meddlers. It is only natural to seek free trade when the government interferes, so customers for actual free market gods, provided by the smuggling ring, were plentiful. While ruining an economy by importing silk undies and lamps and coffee and consumer items seems silly, it was painted as a large enough operation to become a royal pain. Wheatly was clearly a supporter of the crown. It was a rich irony, I noted, that the Marxist underminer actually provided the free-market goods. But the smuggling ring had greater ends in mind. Marxist fomentors were the ultimate cargo. What the Marxists actually call change agents - people who are rabble-rousers and stooges to stir up rebellion - were on the manifest. Could the hero break up the ring before dozens of societal caners were turned loose in Jolly Old England? The tale follows Gregory Sallust, a private investigator, and Inspector Wells of Scotland Yard, as they slowly uncover and dismantle the smuggling ring.
It turns out to be a great hair-raising, heart-stopping story with a sufficiently developed sense of setting and scene. In fact, you can follow the story well enough on a map, and Google Earth provided me with plenty of moments of tracking the tale through real places.
The downside of the story is that a few plot devices seem conveniently manufactured for the sake of suspense, though most of these are easily forgivable. The upside is that the hero is not a superman, he does find himself dependent upon the smarts of others from time to time, and is quick to recognize their vital role in preserving his life or moving the case along. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the Sallust series (technically its the second book), and will be reading the next one right away.
But what a lively and speedy story told from a master story-teller's wild imagination! I felt like I was in seventh grade again, reading "Hold Zero!" by Jean Craighead George, that first book that gripped my young imagination and stuck with me, inspiring daydreams of home-built rockets launched from secret hideouts in the marshes. I was transported from my couch to exhausting adventures and tension-filled moments, death defying stunts, nick-of-time rescues, and passionate love (without defiling details). It was very much that same feeling I had when reading Alfred Hitchcock's "Three Investigator" books when I was young - I couldn't wait to see what happened next
Wheatley is a controversial writer, he was wrapped up in shady occult acquaintances and wrote later on such topics extensively. But what redeems the man, and raises teh hacvkles of occultists, is that he always sets his characters against evil, places anything dark against the forces of goodness, and tells tales from a position of traditional right-and-wrong. Additionally, he was an ardent opponent of Marxism, communism, and the out-workings of that evil worldview as it was manifest in his day. He's certainly no angelic good boy, but his Sallust stories seem to take the higher road. They are hailed as grand mystery, spy and crime adventures of the most fast-paced kind. Sometimes you just need a tale of that sort.
The story hinged on the work of an English contraband ring who's great mission seemed rather far fetched, but in retrospect would have fit well with the fears of the day. The bad guy, a prototype of a James Bond villain, the grotesque Lord Gavin Fortescue, organized a crime web of grand proportions. As kingpin of the smugglers, he was bent on ruining the King's economy, smuggling goods into England and supporting a black market that subverted government trade-protection schemes: tariffs, regulatory fees, and market-fixing rules foisted on the people of the United Kingdom by, ironically, big-government economic meddlers. It is only natural to seek free trade when the government interferes, so customers for actual free market gods, provided by the smuggling ring, were plentiful. While ruining an economy by importing silk undies and lamps and coffee and consumer items seems silly, it was painted as a large enough operation to become a royal pain. Wheatly was clearly a supporter of the crown. It was a rich irony, I noted, that the Marxist underminer actually provided the free-market goods. But the smuggling ring had greater ends in mind. Marxist fomentors were the ultimate cargo. What the Marxists actually call change agents - people who are rabble-rousers and stooges to stir up rebellion - were on the manifest. Could the hero break up the ring before dozens of societal caners were turned loose in Jolly Old England? The tale follows Gregory Sallust, a private investigator, and Inspector Wells of Scotland Yard, as they slowly uncover and dismantle the smuggling ring.
It turns out to be a great hair-raising, heart-stopping story with a sufficiently developed sense of setting and scene. In fact, you can follow the story well enough on a map, and Google Earth provided me with plenty of moments of tracking the tale through real places.
The downside of the story is that a few plot devices seem conveniently manufactured for the sake of suspense, though most of these are easily forgivable. The upside is that the hero is not a superman, he does find himself dependent upon the smarts of others from time to time, and is quick to recognize their vital role in preserving his life or moving the case along. I thoroughly enjoyed this first book in the Sallust series (technically its the second book), and will be reading the next one right away.
July 3, 2014
I reckon I read all of Denis Wheatley's novels when I was a boy more than fifty years ago. A the time, each excited me and so I was quite looking forward to re-visiting the first of the Gregory Sallust novels Contraband. In the end I was disappointed. It really has dated and the plot was totally implausible. I noted from the intro that Dennis Wheatley's grandson suggested that Sallust was a kind of forerunner of James Bond. Given that Contraband was written before the war, that's entirely possible. This is particularly so since Wheatley worked with Ian Fleming during the war.
Gregory Sallust the hero of Contraband is a very well drawn character and rather interesting and it gives me hope that the next Sallust novel The Scarlet Imposter is an improvement on Contraband. Just to give a further flavour of this novel Sallust's friend and mentor is Sir Pellinore Gwain Cust (Bart)who regularly says by jove! It was quite good fun and I shall read another sometime.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil (thebluepenciol.co.uk)
davidlowtherblog.wordpress.com
Gregory Sallust the hero of Contraband is a very well drawn character and rather interesting and it gives me hope that the next Sallust novel The Scarlet Imposter is an improvement on Contraband. Just to give a further flavour of this novel Sallust's friend and mentor is Sir Pellinore Gwain Cust (Bart)who regularly says by jove! It was quite good fun and I shall read another sometime.
David Lowther. Author of The Blue Pencil (thebluepenciol.co.uk)
davidlowtherblog.wordpress.com
August 26, 2023
Written and set in 1935, a fast-paced thriller that introduces Bond prototype Gregory Sallust who meets his femme fatale at a casino at Deauville. Possessing extreme self-assurance, dark good looks and a facial scar Sallust, ex Public School bad boy, does quiet work in the interests of the Government and is intrigued enough by the beautiful Sabine Szenty — who accompanies a physically compromised but powerful man — to follow her when she leaves the hotel alone.
All sorts of shenanigans ensue that test Sallust’s talents to the extreme but, although facing likely - or once near-certain death, he extracts himself. Aeroplanes, parachutes, fast cars, pistols, gorgeous women, superb food and drink, let’s-see-how-you-get-out-of-that-one situations. What’s not to like? Well perhaps his uncompromising use of severe violence but still, the girl’s life was in danger.
All sorts of shenanigans ensue that test Sallust’s talents to the extreme but, although facing likely - or once near-certain death, he extracts himself. Aeroplanes, parachutes, fast cars, pistols, gorgeous women, superb food and drink, let’s-see-how-you-get-out-of-that-one situations. What’s not to like? Well perhaps his uncompromising use of severe violence but still, the girl’s life was in danger.
February 19, 2016
For a book jam-packed with late night raids, kidnappings, parachuting, and the smuggling of illegal materials across the Channel, Contraband is one of the most boring novels I've read in the last few years. A truly insufferable hero, two insipid love interests that are, at best, described as "child-like," and a wild fear of unions combine in a deadly cocktail of English-ness at its most insular. A strong pass.
I received an ecopy from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ecopy from NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2014
A mystery/suspense set back about 100 years in England. Some very unbelievable happenings but still an interesting story about solving the mystery of a bunch of smugglers and stopping them. Of course a bit of a love story is included (that is the more unbelievable part).
June 12, 2012
a ripping yarn
December 31, 2017
Old fashioned male tale of derring-do from 1930s: of its time.
July 11, 2018
Let's not beat about the bush here. This is vintage Wheatley. That means that anybody with half a mind to can pick huge holes in it. It's cornier than a field in Kansas. The characters are all cut from cardboard. There are plot holes you can fly a Miles Hawk through (I'm still wondering what the hell happened to Sabine's mother, since Lord Gavin seems to have got away at the end and he would have been hell-bent on murderous revenge). There are improbable situations. Serious evil is afoot. "For God's sake, man! Get with the plot! This isn't about a few frilly French knickers! It's an evil Communist plot to destroy England!" So, or something like it, exclaims Gregory Sallust to his plodding policeman sidekick. You see, Wheatley desired a particularly evil, unscrupulous, unprincipled villain for this story, and not content to make him simply sinister and deformed, he made him a Communist as well. Because there's nothing more evil, unscrupulous and unprincipled than a Communist, of course. Curiously, this particular Communist does seem to enjoy the finer things in capitalist life, such as casinos, wealth, country estates, private aeroplanes and general all-round fine living. But wait - he's unprincipled. I do wonder why he had to import his saboteurs and agitators? Surely he could have found plenty of indigenous troublemakers without all the hassle of sneaking in foreigners with strange and conspicuous foreign accents to disperse among the disaffected English proletariat? Perhaps Commies are one of the few things foreign countries do better than England. I'm sure Lord Gavin knew what he was doing.
Wheatley has a curious worldview by our modern standards. Exhibit A: the beautiful French girl, having been saved from the clammy clutches of the despicable Lord Gavin, must now be saved from rotting in an English gaol. At any cost. A well-bred specimen like that simply cannot be thrown in the can with all those slags and harlots. It's unthinkable! Have you EVER smelled a women's prison? Just look this way please, Superintendent, while Sallust commits a felony and spirits the lady away. There's a good man. You just come to dinner - I'll have the Home Secretary over, you know. Other bigwigs too. Nudge, nudge...
One assumes Sallust eventually makes it back to England without being charged and imprisoned, because he has other books to appear in. And I'm pleased about that. Because, despite all its glaring faults and curious anachronisms, I had a grand time getting through this ripping yarn.
Wheatley has a curious worldview by our modern standards. Exhibit A: the beautiful French girl, having been saved from the clammy clutches of the despicable Lord Gavin, must now be saved from rotting in an English gaol. At any cost. A well-bred specimen like that simply cannot be thrown in the can with all those slags and harlots. It's unthinkable! Have you EVER smelled a women's prison? Just look this way please, Superintendent, while Sallust commits a felony and spirits the lady away. There's a good man. You just come to dinner - I'll have the Home Secretary over, you know. Other bigwigs too. Nudge, nudge...
One assumes Sallust eventually makes it back to England without being charged and imprisoned, because he has other books to appear in. And I'm pleased about that. Because, despite all its glaring faults and curious anachronisms, I had a grand time getting through this ripping yarn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2017
Contraband is an international smuggling story and adventure set in 1937 Europe. The character of Gregory Sallust introduced here, is one that Dennis Wheatley reprised in his WWII Adventure series. However, this is a standalone read.
I have been a fan of the Gregory Sallust war adventure series since the 1970’s. To date I have only been able to find and read (not necessarily own) the first 4. I have been waiting for the reissues to start, and now that they have I will keep the war series separated from “all other” books with the Gregory Sallust character.
Enjoyable read.
223
I have been a fan of the Gregory Sallust war adventure series since the 1970’s. To date I have only been able to find and read (not necessarily own) the first 4. I have been waiting for the reissues to start, and now that they have I will keep the war series separated from “all other” books with the Gregory Sallust character.
Enjoyable read.
223
August 27, 2021
Exciting precursor to James Bond. Written in 1936 and set after WW1, we see our hero on the end of an assignment relaxing at a casino when he sees her. She ends up leading him into new adventures some good and some bad. The villian would fit into any James Bond story.
The attitude towards women is very archaic. If they are young and beautiful they must be innocent and taking care of. The amount of alcohol drunk would give most people alcohol poisoning.
Very enjoyable read.
The attitude towards women is very archaic. If they are young and beautiful they must be innocent and taking care of. The amount of alcohol drunk would give most people alcohol poisoning.
Very enjoyable read.
April 6, 2023
Entertaining enough, but does bog down for lots of talking about things rather than showing them happening. Not quite as much anti-communist ranting as usual which is a relief.
I shan't read another of Wheatley's books for a few years, but I do occasionally get tempted for some strange reason.
I shan't read another of Wheatley's books for a few years, but I do occasionally get tempted for some strange reason.
March 31, 2021
A good start to the Gregory Sallust series.
November 29, 2015
The first in the Gregory Sallust series and one I have not come across previously.
An exciting thriller set in France and, like all good spy stories, involves danger, intrigue and women.
On a par with Ian Fleming, although before James Bond came on the scene.
I shall be reading more of this series.
A great read!
I was given a digital copy of this novel by the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
An exciting thriller set in France and, like all good spy stories, involves danger, intrigue and women.
On a par with Ian Fleming, although before James Bond came on the scene.
I shall be reading more of this series.
A great read!
I was given a digital copy of this novel by the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews