The Third Man is a gripping post-World War II thriller set in the dark and divided city of Vienna, which is still reeling from the war. The novel follows Rollo Martins, a pulp fiction writer, who arrives in Vienna at the invitation of his friend, Harry Lime, only to find that Lime has recently died under suspicious circumstances. As Martins begins to investigate, he uncovers a web of corruption, betrayal, and intrigue involving war profiteering and black-market dealings. Filled with Greene’s characteristic moral complexity, The Third Man explores themes of loyalty, deception, and the blurred lines between good and evil. The novella is noted for its atmospheric portrayal of Vienna and its tense, suspenseful narrative. It was originally written as a screenplay for the iconic 1949 film directed by Carol Reed, and later adapted into this novel. The Third Man is a classic of 20th-century literature, blending Greene’s keen sense of moral ambiguity with a fast-paced, engaging mystery.
