Vienna in the post-war period: The four occupying powers have divided the city, and the black market is thriving. One of the most mysterious smugglers is Harry Lime, who invites his childhood friend and writer Rollo Martins to Vienna. However, upon his arrival, he only makes it in time for Lime's funeral. Allegedly, he was the victim of a car accident. Martins begins to investigate and discovers that Harry was not a petty crook, but the head of a ruthless smuggling gang. Time and again, a sinister third man crosses his path. Greene's fascinating thriller, brilliantly adapted for film by Carol Reed with Orson Welles and Joseph Cotten, is now available in an excellent new translation.