An entertaining little mystery - is there an official sub-category for travel based mysteries? There seem to be lots of "Americans abroad" or "Let's take a trip" mysteries where there is little blood, a bit of suspense and a beautiful locale, at least in the 1950's and 60's. My copy of Vengeance is a Crime Club hardcover from 1960, falling within their six mystery categories under Damsel In Distress.
The locale - Sicily.
A gang of Sicilians in New York have robbed a bank, and during the getaway, were robbed of the loot themselves and caught. Several were charged, some deported and a young New England girl, Susan Torrenti found out her husband Robert was the boss held responsible for the crime. Newly married and pregnant, she was shocked at his secret life, but over time rebuilt her life.
One day an invitation from Robert's family in Sicily asks her to visit them. The grandfather is sick and wishes to meet the child while he can. While on the journey, she is befriended by a sweet lady schoolteacher, Miss Gentry who happens to be going to Sicily as well, oddly enough right to the same town of Taormina. They share the plane, the train and the boat together along with handsome Mr. Selby and a few nefarious characters along the way. Much like Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes, you don't know which of your newly found friends you can trust and who is out to get you, the trip is full of odd happenings and people watching from the shadows.
Once in Taormina, Susan finds the the grandfather perfectly well and Robert's family hostile, interested only in the grandchild they state will never leave them or Italy. He is Robert's child and she is not to be trusted - she probably has the stolen loot hidden away for herself! Indeed, that is what everyone thinks as she is followed and threatened at any turn. Who has the stolen loot? Miss Gentry also has a few dangerous escapades as she helps Susan uncover the mystery before the finale. No one is who they seem - Who can she trust? As helpful Mr. Selby himself points out "take my advice and don't trust anybody - not even me". There is danger and heroics, and beautiful gardens set into the cliffs below majestic Mt. Etna.
There were are lots of American abroad films taking place in Italy in the 50's and 60's (Like Avanti! with Jack Lemmon, and Three Coins In The Fountain set in Rome) This would make a nice breezy "filmed on location" movie starring Susanne Pleshette, Troy Donohue as handsome Mr. Selby?
Entertaining ~ with a little suspense, a little danger and a few chases. Enjoyable.
1960 / Hardcover / 190 pages
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