Dead Duck is an original novel featuring John Steed and Emma Peel.
Back cover blurb supplied by
Stephen Barker
Stephen Barker
The Avengers: Dead DuckIn the eerie wilderness of an Essex marsh a plot of ruthless immorality is nearing fruition, a plot born of madness, genius and revenge.
In the luxury of a world-famous restaurant John Steed and Emma Peel embark on an investigation fraught with dangers that even the Avengers have never met before, an investigation prompted by an unexplained out-break of death.
Publisher Hodder and Stoughton Format Paperback Publication Date 1966 ISBN N/A Original Price 3/6 Country UK
Edition Notes
- As with the earlier Deadline, rumours overs the years have suggested that a hardback edition was also published. However, as no one has ever been able to track down a copy, it seems likely that this is either completely wrong or an enterprising library or two disemboweled some perfectly good paperback copies and added a hardcover for extra durability in order to extend its shelf life.
Os Vingadores: O Pato Morto
Publisher Dêagá Format Paperback Publication Date 1967 ISBN N/A Translator MM Ferreira da Silva Country Portugal
Edition Notes
- O Pato Morto was one of two Avengers novels to be released in Portugal. The other title was O Dia Depois De Amanhã, a translation of Deadline.
The Avengers: Dead DuckAn original novel, featuring the characters John Steed and Emma Peel from the cult '60s TV series.
When Steed and Mrs Peel witness a sudden death at a neighbouring table in a five star restaurant, they become involved in a bizarre puzzle: why are people dropping dead after eating duck? And what is the connection between a doctor, a gamekeeper and a painter? Their investigation leads them to a ruthless conspiracy, and a plot being hatched in the wilds of the East Anglian marshes.
Publisher Titan Books Format Paperback Publication Date 1994 ISBN 1-85286-562-8Original Price £3.99 Country UK
Edition Notes
- At the time this edition was published The Avengers was enjoying something of a revival in the UK as the episodes were being issued on video for the very first time by Lumiere. The cover art was later used on the US edition from TV Books in 1998, and in a modified form on the cover of the French re-release from Huitième Art in 1996.
Cover image supplied by Ian Beazley
Chapeau Melon et Bottes de Cuir: Canards Mortels
Publisher Huitième Art Format Paperback Publication Date 1996 ISBN 2-908905-11-6 Translator Martin Winckler Country France
The Avengers: Dead Duck
Publisher TV Books Format Paperback Publication Date 1998 ISBN 1575000717 Original Price $9.99 Country USA
Edition Notes
- This edition was released to tie in with the release of the Avengers movie starring Ralph Fiennes and Uma Thurman.
In the Press
TV Zone
Issue 61 — Review
General Notes
- Dead Duck was the second of two Avengers novels to be written for Hodder and Stoughton. The final four titles to be published in the UK would all be published by Panther Books in 1967 (beginning with The Floating Game) and, as with the Hodder and Stoughton books, would all feature Steed and Emma Peel.
- Dead Duck was the second and final Avengers novel to be co-written by John Steed actor Patrick Macnee and journalist Peter Leslie. Their first novel, Deadline, had been published the previous year in 1965.
Leslie also wrote tie-in novels in the 1960s based on several other television programmes including Danger Man (US Title: Secret Agent), The Invaders and The Man From U.N.C.L.E..
