What do you think?
Rate this book
Der Zinker
Der Zinker - bk1378; Goldmann Verlag; Edgar Wallace; pocket_book; 1982
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 1927
9 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Edgar Wallace
2,176 books260 followersRichard Horatio Edgar Wallace (1875-1932) was a prolific British crime writer, journalist and playwright, who wrote 175 novels, 24 plays, and countless articles in newspapers and journals.
Over 160 films have been made of his novels, more than any other author. In the 1920s, one of Wallace's publishers claimed that a quarter of all books read in England were written by him.
He is most famous today as the co-creator of "King Kong", writing the early screenplay and story for the movie, as well as a short story "King Kong" (1933) credited to him and Draycott Dell. He was known for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, The Four Just Men, the Ringer, and for creating the Green Archer character during his lifetime.
Over 160 films have been made of his novels, more than any other author. In the 1920s, one of Wallace's publishers claimed that a quarter of all books read in England were written by him.
He is most famous today as the co-creator of "King Kong", writing the early screenplay and story for the movie, as well as a short story "King Kong" (1933) credited to him and Draycott Dell. He was known for the J. G. Reeder detective stories, The Four Just Men, the Ringer, and for creating the Green Archer character during his lifetime.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 23, 2020
This had many more twists and turns than I expected. Despite it being fairly obvious early on who the villain was, I was surprised more than once.
January 17, 2020
This is an uneven book. There are hints of good writing, but it seems Wallace is so entrapped in constantly shuffling his deck of story elements, he never can get a straight house. I also think that's why it was a little too obvious the later revelations were coming. This approach also made the book confusing at times. This is one book it is imperative to pay close attention to just about every word.
Another weakness were the characters. Most all were written with similar dialogue and were loosely defined. I believe Wallace did this to keep everyone guessing.
I really liked the ending. I just don't think the whole is worth the finish.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 5 out of 10 points.
Another weakness were the characters. Most all were written with similar dialogue and were loosely defined. I believe Wallace did this to keep everyone guessing.
I really liked the ending. I just don't think the whole is worth the finish.
Bottom line: I don't recommend this book. 5 out of 10 points.
November 30, 2021
Era o noapte vijelioasă. Vântul biciuia cu furie stropii de ploaie, amestecaţi cu fulgi de zăpadă. Niciun om cu mintea întreagă nu s-ar fi încumetat să iasă pe Putney Common. Un vânt îngheţat te pătrundea până la piele şi întrucât se întunecase, Larry Graeme trebui să se folosească de lanterna de buzunar pentru a nu se împiedica de bordura trotuarului, la trecerea străzii, deşi felinarele îşi răsfrângeau lumina lor obişnuită.
Se simţea bine în mantaua şi galoşii lui de cauciuc, iar umbrela respectabilă pe care o purta, îi era mai degrabă un obstacol, decât o pavăză.
Aruncându-şi privirea pe cadranul ceasului brăţară, văzu că lipseau doar câteva minute până la ora fixată şi „Marele necunoscut” era punctual. Mojic, dar punctual, Larry intrase mai de mult în legături de afaceri cu „Marele Necunoscut”, cu toate că mereu se jurase că se va lipsi de o asemenea tovărăşie. Omul nostru ridica preţurile, însă dacă lui i se vindeau lucrurile, riscul de a fi prins, era egal cu zero. De data aceasta însă, Larry hotărî să i se plătească aşa cum va cere, fără niciun „dacă” ori „însă”. Mă rog, diamantele doamnei Rissik îşi aveau preţul lor cunoscut şi stabilit. Toate coloanele ziarelor erau pline numai de „îndrăzneţul furt”, iar întreprinderile de asigurări publicaseră valoarea fiecărei bijuterii. Nu mai încăpea nici cea mai mică îndoială asupra câştigului, pe care fiecare piatră-l va aduce. Tocmai pentru acest motiv precumpănitor, Larry strecură la mica publicitate anunţul ticluit, ca de obicei ― discret, misterios.
„În cartierul Putney Common (în direcţia Wimbledon) s-a pierdut joi seara, Ia 10 şi 30, o gentuţă galbenă. Conţinutul: cinci scrisori de valoare numai pentru posesor” „Gentuţa galbenă cu cinci scrisori” slujea drept aviz „Marelui Necunoscut” şi însemna că i se oferă bijuterii de mare valoare.
„O gentuţa cafenie” însemna blănuri. „O gentuţă albă” prevenea pe respectivul, că ofertantul are bancnote false de pus în circulaţie. „Cele cinci scrisori” semnalau valoarea mărfii, printr-un număr cu cinci cifre.
Şi era joi, ora 10 şi 30 seara. Larry aştepta în strada Richmond. Ceasul de la biserica apropiată bătea exact ora fixată. „Punctual”, mormăi el pentru sine, când zări la capătul străzii, ţâşnind două luminiţe umbrite, al căror reflex se mărea prin apropiere. Deodată, luminile se revărsară cu toată puterea lor asupra omului din colţul străzii.
Limuzina îşi domoli mersul. Maşina cu capota leoarcă de ploaie stopă în dreptul lui Graeme; din bezna cupeului se auzi o voce cam aspră:
― Ei bine?
Se simţea bine în mantaua şi galoşii lui de cauciuc, iar umbrela respectabilă pe care o purta, îi era mai degrabă un obstacol, decât o pavăză.
Aruncându-şi privirea pe cadranul ceasului brăţară, văzu că lipseau doar câteva minute până la ora fixată şi „Marele necunoscut” era punctual. Mojic, dar punctual, Larry intrase mai de mult în legături de afaceri cu „Marele Necunoscut”, cu toate că mereu se jurase că se va lipsi de o asemenea tovărăşie. Omul nostru ridica preţurile, însă dacă lui i se vindeau lucrurile, riscul de a fi prins, era egal cu zero. De data aceasta însă, Larry hotărî să i se plătească aşa cum va cere, fără niciun „dacă” ori „însă”. Mă rog, diamantele doamnei Rissik îşi aveau preţul lor cunoscut şi stabilit. Toate coloanele ziarelor erau pline numai de „îndrăzneţul furt”, iar întreprinderile de asigurări publicaseră valoarea fiecărei bijuterii. Nu mai încăpea nici cea mai mică îndoială asupra câştigului, pe care fiecare piatră-l va aduce. Tocmai pentru acest motiv precumpănitor, Larry strecură la mica publicitate anunţul ticluit, ca de obicei ― discret, misterios.
„În cartierul Putney Common (în direcţia Wimbledon) s-a pierdut joi seara, Ia 10 şi 30, o gentuţă galbenă. Conţinutul: cinci scrisori de valoare numai pentru posesor” „Gentuţa galbenă cu cinci scrisori” slujea drept aviz „Marelui Necunoscut” şi însemna că i se oferă bijuterii de mare valoare.
„O gentuţa cafenie” însemna blănuri. „O gentuţă albă” prevenea pe respectivul, că ofertantul are bancnote false de pus în circulaţie. „Cele cinci scrisori” semnalau valoarea mărfii, printr-un număr cu cinci cifre.
Şi era joi, ora 10 şi 30 seara. Larry aştepta în strada Richmond. Ceasul de la biserica apropiată bătea exact ora fixată. „Punctual”, mormăi el pentru sine, când zări la capătul străzii, ţâşnind două luminiţe umbrite, al căror reflex se mărea prin apropiere. Deodată, luminile se revărsară cu toată puterea lor asupra omului din colţul străzii.
Limuzina îşi domoli mersul. Maşina cu capota leoarcă de ploaie stopă în dreptul lui Graeme; din bezna cupeului se auzi o voce cam aspră:
― Ei bine?
February 17, 2024
Návrat k Edgaru Wallacemu je už fakt bolestivý... ale horší je, že se mi to zase nechce tak moc kritizovat, protože není fér kopat do sto let staré detektivky, že nepřináší překvapivé zvraty a šokující odhalení. Ale jsou věci, které jsou ještě starší a ano, nepřináší šoky, ale přináší nějaké bonusy či atmosféru. Což tady moc není. Je to taková retro společenská konverzačka s jednou vraždou. Možná ve své době byla fakt šokující, ale to už dokážu jen těžko odhadnout.
Přitom nápad je zajímavý. Hlavním záporákem je tu tajemný překupník, který nabízí zločincům peníze za jejich zboží... a když odmítnou jeho nabídku (obvykle dost malou), udá je policii. Což si říkám, jestli je úplně efektivní strategie, že být kriminálníkem, tak se mu zdaleka vyhnu a ani s ním nezkouším obchodovat, ale budiž. Pachatelem může být jeden ze čtyř lidí v malé firmě, přičemž podezření padá na hlavní postavu, na muže, který byl podle všeho už několikrát trestaný a který je v zamilovaný do jedné ze dvou žen v této knize (ta druhá je mrcha, takže nemá moc velký výběr). Agatha Christie by z něj klidně nakonec zločince udělala, ale Wallace je romantik, takže je celkem jasné, že tam bude nějaký zvrat a bude to jiný člen z osazenstva. A jelikož je jednou z postav konkurent hlavní postavy, dá se celkem tipnout, jakým směrem se bude děj ubírat.
Zajímavý je, že i když Wallace tady zapojuje do hry policii (on byl taky jedním z prvních autorů, kteří do role hrdinů obsazovali policisty), v podstatě s ní pracuje úplně stejně jako se soukromými detektivy - čili v čele pátrání je vrchni inspektor Barrabal, u kterého téměř nikdo neví, jak vypadá a vyšetřuje zcela mimo kontrolu aparátu. Pokud zasáhne do role policie jako celek, obvykle selže a většinu práci odřou osamělí geniální inspektorové.
Možná jsem měl problém s tím, že tohle bylo spíš civilní Wallaceho dílo - přičemž já ho měl spojeného vždycky s makabrickými vraždami a gotickou atmosférou. Tak třeba něco podobného mě bude bavit víc. Tohle studium je zatím poměrně náročné.
Přitom nápad je zajímavý. Hlavním záporákem je tu tajemný překupník, který nabízí zločincům peníze za jejich zboží... a když odmítnou jeho nabídku (obvykle dost malou), udá je policii. Což si říkám, jestli je úplně efektivní strategie, že být kriminálníkem, tak se mu zdaleka vyhnu a ani s ním nezkouším obchodovat, ale budiž. Pachatelem může být jeden ze čtyř lidí v malé firmě, přičemž podezření padá na hlavní postavu, na muže, který byl podle všeho už několikrát trestaný a který je v zamilovaný do jedné ze dvou žen v této knize (ta druhá je mrcha, takže nemá moc velký výběr). Agatha Christie by z něj klidně nakonec zločince udělala, ale Wallace je romantik, takže je celkem jasné, že tam bude nějaký zvrat a bude to jiný člen z osazenstva. A jelikož je jednou z postav konkurent hlavní postavy, dá se celkem tipnout, jakým směrem se bude děj ubírat.
Zajímavý je, že i když Wallace tady zapojuje do hry policii (on byl taky jedním z prvních autorů, kteří do role hrdinů obsazovali policisty), v podstatě s ní pracuje úplně stejně jako se soukromými detektivy - čili v čele pátrání je vrchni inspektor Barrabal, u kterého téměř nikdo neví, jak vypadá a vyšetřuje zcela mimo kontrolu aparátu. Pokud zasáhne do role policie jako celek, obvykle selže a většinu práci odřou osamělí geniální inspektorové.
Možná jsem měl problém s tím, že tohle bylo spíš civilní Wallaceho dílo - přičemž já ho měl spojeného vždycky s makabrickými vraždami a gotickou atmosférou. Tak třeba něco podobného mě bude bavit víc. Tohle studium je zatím poměrně náročné.
December 30, 2024
A 1945 mystery where someone is killing off criminals and is only known by the name of The Squealer. In the middle of these killings some unsavory history is revealed about several characters, from those with friends to those without. A woman is quickly married off to one of these men, which inflames the anger of an unrequited love. Also milling about is a reporter who's trying to learn the killer's identity and discover why the detective in charge of the case has never been seen outside his office.
This was okay. I didn't hate it, but it got a little long in the tooth with revelations and a female protagonist who is too complacent. The final reveal was nice, which made me realize how foolish I was for not guessing it.
Again, decent, but I won't return to this again or other works by this author.
This was okay. I didn't hate it, but it got a little long in the tooth with revelations and a female protagonist who is too complacent. The final reveal was nice, which made me realize how foolish I was for not guessing it.
Again, decent, but I won't return to this again or other works by this author.
January 3, 2026
Since my father loved Edgar Wallace books, I also tried to collect them. They are almost impossible to find these days at the Bookfests. Trying to make space, I'll read a few of those I have and probably move all of them on to other readers.
This isn't a great book, being full of typical Wallace themes. Beautiful girl falls for the hero of the story, even though he seems to be an ex-con. Police are often super heroes, although in this case, the top cop is never seen in public. Very mysterious. The theme is of the London underworld, but any violence is understated. Even crooks are rather jolly and seem like good guys. Dialogue is often jaunty.
There's a surprise twist at the end, a typical happy ending for the rocky romance, and all loose ends are tied off.
Rating 2.8.
This isn't a great book, being full of typical Wallace themes. Beautiful girl falls for the hero of the story, even though he seems to be an ex-con. Police are often super heroes, although in this case, the top cop is never seen in public. Very mysterious. The theme is of the London underworld, but any violence is understated. Even crooks are rather jolly and seem like good guys. Dialogue is often jaunty.
There's a surprise twist at the end, a typical happy ending for the rocky romance, and all loose ends are tied off.
Rating 2.8.
June 9, 2017
Potkazivač je istovremeno ucenjivač. Misteriozna osoba koja otkupljuje ukradenu robu od lokalnih kriminalaca po besmisleno niskim cenama. Ukoliko odbiju da mu prodaju svoju robu on ih potkazuje policiji.
Ovo je klasično delo kriminalističke literature, brzo se čita i ima u suštini sve ono što se od ovakvog romana tog doba može očekivati. Mlada dama u nevolji koja na svako šokantno otkriće pada u nesvest, misteriozni zlikovac, markantni heroj, osrednji zaplet, rasplet sa par preokreta na kraju. Sve u svemu prosečan krimić.
Ovo je klasično delo kriminalističke literature, brzo se čita i ima u suštini sve ono što se od ovakvog romana tog doba može očekivati. Mlada dama u nevolji koja na svako šokantno otkriće pada u nesvest, misteriozni zlikovac, markantni heroj, osrednji zaplet, rasplet sa par preokreta na kraju. Sve u svemu prosečan krimić.
June 16, 2018
Otra buena historia de E. Wallace con un par de giros inesperados. Recomendable para el aficionado a lo policiaco.
September 4, 2025
Uma estrela porque não posso dar zero.
February 20, 2017
"'Thou shalt not blab' is the oldest and most consistent of the thieves’ commandments," and the central point for this book. It strikes the modern reader as a piece of extreme naivete and rather a flimsy basis for a detective novel. This isn't one of the best mysteries by Wallace. Though everyone in has something to hide - whether it's an unsavory past, a forbidden love, or just their profession - the real action doesn't start until nearly three quarters of the way through the book when some of the secrets start to come out. In short this contains a slow start, melodramatic love story, and totally unsatisfying ending where nothing really seems to wrap up. Just meh.
The main question seems to be who is The Squealer, but you find out who he is well before the end. Other mysteries arise but don't really seem that relevant even though they're the more exciting ones. At first it's not entirely clear why Barrabal wants to catch 'The Squealer' since the police are getting good tips that lead to the arrests and convictions of other criminals but as the story progresses you begin to understand why they want him.
Characters
Larry Graeme - a thief who tries to sell some stolen jewelry to below, goes to prison after someone sends an anonymous letter to the police about the jewelry
The Big Man - a 'fence' or buyer of stolen property who then sells it on. When crooks decide to get a better price elsewhere he sends tips anonymously to the police
Inspector Elford - member of the Criminal Investigation Department who arrests Larry Graeme, second in command to Barrabal
Chief Inspector Barrabal - member of the Criminal Investigation Department who has been instrumental in many cases but no one really knows what he looks like because he's always undercover
Beryl Stedman - a nice, clean wholesome, beautiful girl who is affianced to Frank Sutton
Captain John Leslie - works for Frank Sutton general manager, likes Beryl immensely
Frank Sutton - merchant, fiance to Beryl, beloved by his employees
Millie Trent - Frank's long time secretary, lover of movies, "forty-four, rather pinched of face but pretty, with fine eyes and skin and naturally red hair" and quite the temper
Lew Friedman - stands in loco parentis to Beryl and puts her happiness first and foremost
Tillman - new hire at Frank's office, very nosy and mysterious
Joshua Collie - "sixty and bald: a placid, cherubic-looking man" who is actually a crime reporter for the Post-Courier
Mr. Field - grey haired editor of the Post-Courier
Sergeant Valentin - tall, imposing detective sergeant of the C.I.D,
The main question seems to be who is The Squealer, but you find out who he is well before the end. Other mysteries arise but don't really seem that relevant even though they're the more exciting ones. At first it's not entirely clear why Barrabal wants to catch 'The Squealer' since the police are getting good tips that lead to the arrests and convictions of other criminals but as the story progresses you begin to understand why they want him.
Characters
Larry Graeme - a thief who tries to sell some stolen jewelry to below, goes to prison after someone sends an anonymous letter to the police about the jewelry
The Big Man - a 'fence' or buyer of stolen property who then sells it on. When crooks decide to get a better price elsewhere he sends tips anonymously to the police
Inspector Elford - member of the Criminal Investigation Department who arrests Larry Graeme, second in command to Barrabal
Chief Inspector Barrabal - member of the Criminal Investigation Department who has been instrumental in many cases but no one really knows what he looks like because he's always undercover
Beryl Stedman - a nice, clean wholesome, beautiful girl who is affianced to Frank Sutton
Captain John Leslie - works for Frank Sutton general manager, likes Beryl immensely
Frank Sutton - merchant, fiance to Beryl, beloved by his employees
Millie Trent - Frank's long time secretary, lover of movies, "forty-four, rather pinched of face but pretty, with fine eyes and skin and naturally red hair" and quite the temper
Lew Friedman - stands in loco parentis to Beryl and puts her happiness first and foremost
Tillman - new hire at Frank's office, very nosy and mysterious
Joshua Collie - "sixty and bald: a placid, cherubic-looking man" who is actually a crime reporter for the Post-Courier
Mr. Field - grey haired editor of the Post-Courier
Sergeant Valentin - tall, imposing detective sergeant of the C.I.D,
October 31, 2014
It was okay, but I didn't really enjoy it. It took me about two weeks for not even 200 pages. I was a little confused midway through the book, it only got a bit better in the last third.
What annoyed me a little, is Beryl's character. I feel like she could have been written better and stronger.
I also wasn't a huge fan of the writing; it just made things more complex.
I'd like to know if other Edgar Wallace books are more or less the same or if I'd enjoy them more. I guess I will try another one. (I hardly ever read books of this genre, but I figure I should try it out more.)
What annoyed me a little, is Beryl's character. I feel like she could have been written better and stronger.
I also wasn't a huge fan of the writing; it just made things more complex.
I'd like to know if other Edgar Wallace books are more or less the same or if I'd enjoy them more. I guess I will try another one. (I hardly ever read books of this genre, but I figure I should try it out more.)
April 20, 2016
A.L. Burt, 1927
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews