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Description:

There aren't many ways for one writer to hurt another. Even if the literary world were as hopelessly corrupt as some people like to think it is, a writer cannot seriously damage a rival. This is the unwelcome conclusion reached by Richard Tull, failed novelist, when he contemplates the agonizing success of his best friend (and worst enemy), Gwyn Barry. A scathing review, a scurrilous profile? Such things might hurt Gwyn Barry, but they wouldn't hurt him. So Richard Tull is obliged to look elsewhere, to the weapons of the outside world - seductions and succubae, hoaxes, mind games, frame-ups, sabotage - until at last Richard finds what he is looking for: a true professional, someone who hurts people in exchange for cash.

subjects: Fiction,  Envy,  Politicians,  Authors,  English Authors,  New York Times reviewed,  Great britain, fiction,  Tull, richard (fictitious character), fiction,  Politicians, fiction,  Fiction, thrillers, espionage,  English Novelists,  English fiction,  Fiction, espionage

Places: Great Britain

Times: 20th century