The Death of Dr. Alekhine
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
I. Dr. Alexander Alekhine held the title of world chess champion and a law doctorate from the Sorbonne. He authored countless chess books and articles and dazzled audiences with his simultaneous blindfold exhibitions. He spoke seven languages fluently, forgetting nothing he cared to remember. He was also an alcoholic, a vicious anti-Semite, and a thoroughly unpleasant man. At this moment he lay dead, and was now equally unpleasant as all the other human beings that have required sanitary disposal. Except, that is, for Detective Inspector Jacques Colbert of the Paris police, for whom the corpse presented an irksome problem. It was a typical March in Paris—foggy, dank and oppressive. The dull, gray, narrow days reinforced the feeling of gloom. One could hardly believe that in a matter of weeks the foliage would burst, the flowers exude cloying perfume, and young girls again promenade the Champs Elysees in groups, hoping to catch the eye of an eligible suitor.
Formats
Book Details
About the Book
The time: March 24, 1946. The place: Paris. The world chess champion, Dr. Alexander Alekhine, is found dead in his hotel rooms. Was it accident? Or suicide? Or murder? Detective Inspector Jacques Colbert, a brilliant and highly unusual man, receives the case. With the help of his assistant, Sergeant Guimard, he unravels a tangle of lies, half-truths, false leads, and ambiguous clues. His path leads through Dr. Alekhine’s character, his murky past and through pre-war and current politics and espionage. In the classic tradition, Inspector Colbert’s iron logic solves the puzzle. Along the way meet a kaleidoscope of vivid characters, Russian proverbs, Greek mythology, philosophical references, WWII history, chess lore, wry wit and deep sadness. The twin aftershocks in the closing pages should satisfy even the most discerning reader.
About the Author
Kevin F. Toon was born in Wagner, South Dakota, a small farming community. Though without financial resources, his family made great efforts to educate him. He showed early promise in every intellectual field. The efforts of his family, and his own, resulted in an astonishing offer for a scholarship from Phillips Academy of Andover, a premier prep school. He was then admitted to Carleton College, where he graduated with a double major, and magna cum laude, in philosophy and classics. From there he earned an MA in philosophy from The University of Texas at Austin. Recognizing that his goal of an academic career was impossible, Mr. Toon returned to mathematics and computer science. While working in the computing field, he again attended graduate school, obtaining an MS degree. For many years he worked as a consultant. He most liked scientific and engineering applications. He was a fine golfer and bowler. He is also a chess master and bridge expert. Because of a remarkable memory, he can recognize almost any piece of classical music upon hearing a few bars. Mr. Toon is now retired in Oak Ridge, Tennessee.