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Tanner's Virgin
Evan Tanner novel # 6

by Lawrence Block



      Evan Michael Tanner, Korean War veteran / secret agent, works for an unnamed agency. He is a do-gooder, 75% Boy Scout 25% James Bond, and interested in hopeless causes. A head injury from shrapnel has destroyed the sleep center in his brain. So he never sleeps. He is conscious and energetically productive 24 hours a day according to his creator, Lawrence Block. He writes in the Irish newspapers, where they call him "Michael", but he is known as "Evan" to the rest of the world.

He gets a call from Mrs. Horowitz, the mother of the attractive 18-year old girl who lived with Tanner platonically for a month. (Remember he is a Boy Scout!). The daughter, Deborah (also known as Phaedra Harrow) is missing. Her mother pleads with Tanner to find her. His search leads him to London and a white slave ring that has been supplying vulnerable young girls to a dealer in Afghanistan. Along the way to Afghanistan Tanner swims the English Channel (25% James Bond?) and tangles with a group of mercenaries who want to overthrow the regime in Kabal. When he locates Phaedra he finds that she is enjoying her new "life", and he has to persuade her to leave and return with him.

As usual Block has given us an entertaining story filled with witty dialogue, off beat characters, and fast action. Reprinted from 1968, this story's Afghan setting is relevant to today's readers. Tanner always gives the reader enjoyment and light-hearted action.

The Book

HarperCollins
1968: reprint Sept 2007
Paperback
9780061262388
Fiction / adult / suspense
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Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Barbara Buhrer
Reviewed 2007
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