The Way to Dusty Death
 First edition cover (UK) | |
| Author | Alistair MacLean |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Thriller novel |
| Publisher |
Collins (UK) Doubleday (US) |
Publication date | 1973 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
The Way to Dusty Death is a thriller novel written by Scottish author Alistair MacLean. It was originally published in 1973. The title is a quotation from a famous passage in Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 5.
Plot introduction
The protagonist, Johnny Harlow, a world champion Formula 1 racing driver, was in a devastating accident during the French Grand Prix, which caused the death of his best friend, a Californian driver and Isaac Jethou, along with maiming his girlfriend. It is only one of a series of crashes which have dogged the Grand Prix circuit in the past season, one of which led to the death of Harlow’s younger brother. The crash appears to have completely destroyed Harlow’s nerve, and the boss of the Coronado team, MacAlpine, for which he drives, is torn between wanting to keep his star driver, and concerns that Harlow has turned into an alcoholic. However, Harlow is playing a role, as he suspects that there is more behind these "accidents" than “acts of God”, and soon finds out that a few people will do anything to prevent him from discovering the truth.
Background
The story was originally written as a screenplay. It was meant to star Maclean's friend Jackie Stewart.[1]
TV adaptation
The Way to Dusty Death appeared as a 1995 made-for-TV movie directed by Geoffrey Reeve, starring Simon MacCorkindale as Harlow, and Linda Hamilton as romantic interest Marie MacAlpine.
References
- ↑ War Is Hell, but It Pays Off for MacLean: War Pays Off for MacLean War Pays Off for MacLean War is Hell, but It Pays Off for Alistair Johnstone, Jain. Los Angeles Times (1923-Current File) [Los Angeles, Calif] 17 Dec 1972: p1.