The High Commissioner

The High Commissioner (1966) introduces Sydney police detective Scobie Malone, who is dispatched to London with orders to arrest the Australian High Commissioner for murder. Upon arrival in London, Malone discovers the High Commissioner is also the target of assassination attempts during crucial Vietnam War peace negotiations. Malone agrees to delay the arrest for five days while protecting the High Commissioner under the guise of security detail. The complex situation involves the High Commissioner's household, including his wife Sheila, secretary Lisa, and butler Josef, who are unaware of Malone's true purpose except for Sheila, who figures it out. The plot centers on international intrigue involving Vietnamese crime boss Madame Cholon, multiple assassins, CIA operatives, and Special Branch detectives. Malone must navigate diplomatic tensions and personal relationships while investigating both the murder charge and the assassination threats. The High Commissioner combines elements of police procedural with international espionage, exploring themes of duty, loyalty, and the intersection of personal justice with global politics.

Readers describe The High Commissioner as a straightforward spy thriller that moves at a brisk pace. The book has maintained interest over decades, with new readers still discovering it through the Scobie Malone series. Readers appreciate: - Clear, uncluttered writing style - Australian perspective on international politics - Character development of Scobie Malone - Period details of 1960s London Common criticisms: - Plot developments can be predictable - Some dated cultural references - Side characters lack depth Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (32 ratings) Several readers note the book works better as a crime novel than a spy thriller. One reviewer on Goodreads wrote: "The Australian fish-out-of-water angle gives this otherwise standard procedural a unique flavor." Multiple Amazon reviews mention the book serves as a good introduction to the series but isn't the strongest entry.

The Spy Who Came in from the Cold by John le Carré A British intelligence officer undertakes a final mission in Cold War Berlin, featuring the same blend of espionage, political intrigue, and murder investigation found in The High Commissioner.

A Small Death in Lisbon by Robert Wilson A detective's investigation into a murder in 1990s Portugal interweaves with a Nazi smuggling operation from the 1940s, connecting past and present crimes through international conspiracy.

The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth A professional assassin plots to kill French President Charles de Gaulle while being pursued by a determined detective, mixing police procedure with international intrigue.

Bangkok 8 by John Burdett A Buddhist detective in Thailand investigates the murder of a U.S. Marine sergeant, navigating through diplomatic tensions and international crime networks.

The Dogs of Rome by Conor Fitzgerald An American-born police commissioner in Rome investigates a politically connected murder, dealing with corruption and diplomatic pressure while working in a foreign environment.

🔍 The novel was adapted into a 1968 film starring Rod Taylor as Scobie Malone and Christopher Plummer as the High Commissioner. 🌏 Author Jon Cleary wrote the book while living in London, drawing from his firsthand observations of diplomatic life in the city. 📚 The Scobie Malone series eventually grew to 20 books, with the final installment published in 2004, spanning nearly 40 years of Australian crime fiction. 🎯 The character of Scobie Malone was partly inspired by real Sydney police officers Cleary had met during his research. 🏛️ The book was groundbreaking for its time, being one of the first Australian crime novels to successfully blend international political intrigue with local police procedural elements.