An Unlikely Hero

The main protagonist in this novel displays a criminal mind early on, and even runs his own gang in his home town. In the beginning of the book, he is met by a representative of the law, but has a lucky escape as the lawman shows more interest for our hero's female company. When on a business trip to deliver a parcel, our hero is robbed of the merchandise and finds himself rock bottom on the floor. Once sufficiently recovered, he swears revenge and takes up the chase to regain not only his honor, but also the parcel. Quite unprofessionally, he delays meetings without giving notice, and raises serious concern with those close to him. While hiding from the police, he attempts to commit further offences and is only rescued by the direct involvement of the writer of the novel. Subsequently, he meets a bizarre collection of underworld figures who enthusiastically provide their assistance, often using somewhat dubious means. With the help of pretence and sometimes emotional blackmail, the street gang manages to infiltrate the lair of the opposition. After a final, exasperating chase through busy streets, our hero not only catches up with the opposition, but also turns himself in to the police to be given a well-deserved sentence.

Clues: The book was the first children's novel that envisioned kids to be solvers of crimes and is by many regarded as the predecessor to the Enid Blyton factory of child detectives. The book was not written in English, but has been the subject of both American and English movies. The author disliked most of the movies, but became inspired to write film scripts himself, and managed subsequently to deliver at least one masterpiece in movie history.

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