London: William Heinemann, (1972). First edition - Considered one of Canning's best thrillers, this features a search by two separate couples, which eventually collide - that of a medium and her boyfriend and a pair of professional thieves and kidnappers. Winner of the 1972 Silver Dagger Award and finalist for the 1974 Edgar Award for Best Mystery. Basis for Alfred Hitchcock's final film, the 1976 movie "Family Plot" starring Bruce Dern and Karen Black. While this proof is somewhat worn, it is notable for bearing the stamped name and address of the Hollywood literary agency H.N Swanson (a friend of Hitchcock) and a sticker insider the front cover from the London agency, Curtis Brown, Ltd., making it quite likely that this copy was used to sell the book as a film. 244 pp.