Review: "Readers who like their thrillers to complement their intelligence must on no account miss Mr. Cory".
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 25, 2013
Desmond Cory's novel ON THE GULF was unfinished until this now extraordinarily fine novel was completed for the purpose of placing it on Kindle - the people's available book reading place. Probably Cory with his futuristic imagination knew his books would survive the myriad permutations of the publishing world. For those who may not remember, Desmond Cory is a pseudonym used by British mystery/thriller writer Shaun Lloyd McCarthy (Lancing, Sussex, February 16, 1928 - January 2001) - a writer whose novels were overshadowed by Ian Fleming's mega-success with the 007 series, but whose main character Johnny Fedora predated James Bond and to many the public came to expect even more from Cory's colorful action, copious carnage, elaborate intrigue, frequent surprises: for many the Fedora plots were more complex and intellectual. As one critic stated, `I must say that I find Cory's Johnny Fedora a much more persuasive violent, sexy and lucky agent than James Bond.'ON THE GULF is possible one of Cory's finest novels, not depending on the personas such as Johnny Fedora or Professor John Dobie to  attract the reader to a familiar style. This novel, set in a fictional Gulf state of Fariq (based in the Middle East where Cory lived for a number of years): despite the fact that the novel is some years old now since its writing, the locale and the atmosphere and  the political and cultural aspects of the themes Cory paints are surprisingly timely, given the current bellicose situation in the Middle East at present. Yes, the expected Cory tension and intrigue and embellishments into sensual situations are present, but in this mature novel  the focus is not just on action, but also on psychological insight into the characters. It is a blisteringly fine read and feels like the matrix of a very successful film adaptation. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, July 13