Book description
Scott Hamilton is a professional thief, one who would never turn down
an opportunity to steal something really worthwhile - in this case, a
priceless collection of Ming Dynasty jade statuettes, whose owner is a
man with a private army; a man rich enough to be above the law.
Hamilton's accomplices are the charming and tough Gunilla von
Mayenfels, who is a girl with an interest in jade, and the odious and
unreliable Kosky. And the result of their attempt combines triumph and
disaster in equal measure. Donald MacKenzie was born in Ontario,
Canada, and educated in England, Canada and Switzerland. For twenty-five
years MacKenzie lived by crime in many countries. 'I went to jail,' he
wrote, 'if not with depressing regularity, too often for my liking.' His
last sentences were five years in the United States and three years in
England, running consecutively. He began writing and selling stories
when in American jail. 'I try to do exactly as I like as often as
possible and I don't think I'm either psychopathic, a wayward boy, a
problem of our time, a charming rogue. Or ever was.'
He had a wife, Estrela, and a daughter, and they divided their time
between England, Portugal, Spain and Austria.
