Edward Mercer

Created by Victor Canning

Private eye EDWARD MERCER, like most of Victor Canning's other P.I. creations (such as James Helder and Rex Carver) tends more toward the international thriller category than the mean streets, but that doesn't mean they're not worth checking out.

In Bird of Prey (1950), Mercer's one appearance to date, he travels to Venice on behalf of a French insurance company to locate a man due a reward for his service in the war. Shortly after arriving, however, Mercer becomes the prime suspect in the murder of his local contact. In his quest to clear his name, Mercer uncovers a plot to overthrow the Italian government.

The novel was later made into a talky 1952 Euro-noir starring Richard Todd as Mercer.

NOVELS

• Bird of Prey (1950; also known as "Venitian Bird") ...Buy this book

FILM

• VENETIAN BIRD
  (aka "The Assassin")
  (1952, British Film-Makers)
  1 hour, 34 minutes
  Based on the novel by Victor Canning
  Screenplay by Victor Canning
  Directed by Ralph Thomas
  Starring Richard Todd as EDWARD MERCER
  Also starring Eva Bartok, John Gregson, George Coulouris, Margot Grahame, Walter Rilla

Respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.