![]() First edition | |
Author | Jon Cleary |
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Language | English |
Genre | Thriller |
Publisher | Invincible Press |
Publication date | 1949 |
Publication place | Australia |
The Long Shadow is a 1949 novel from Australian author Jon Cleary. [1]
Cleary had just written his debut work, You Can't See 'Round Corners and was unsure what to do as a follow-up. His editor Graham Greene suggested he try his hand at a thriller "because it will teach you the art of narrative and it will teach you the uses of brevity." [2]
The plot revolves around Martin Brown, an educated man who is living as a swagman. He is falsely accused of murder of a woman called Ruth Taylor, and is pursued through the Australian countryside by police and other men. He falls in love with a woman who believes his innocence. [3]
Reviews were not as strong as that for Cleary's first novel. [4] [5]
Reportedly Paramount were interested in the film rights in 1946. [6]
In 1968 it was announced that a movie version was to be made starring Rod Taylor for Ajax Films from a script by James Workman but no film resulted. [7] [8] [9] [10]