The Moving Target, by Ross Macdonald, originally published in 1949
| Author | Ross Macdonald (as John Macdonald) |
| Publisher | Alfred A. Knopf (a Borzoi book) |
| Publication Date (initial) | April 11, 1949 |
Overview
The Moving Target was the first Lew Archer novel and in what would become a theme for Archer, he finds himself embroiled in a family drama. In his debut novel, Archer is hired by the young, second wife of Ralph Sampson, a wealthy oilman, to find her husband. Along the way, he meets Sampson’s disaffected daughter Miranda, his pilot Alan Taggert and Sampson’s attorney, Albert Graves. He also meets up and spends an evening with the aging actress and Sampson astrologer Fay Estabrook. A ransom note is produced for Sampson, but Archer isn’t convinced. He does reach the truth as he works his way through the dysfunctional family.
Reviews
Anthony Boucher wrote a review in the New York Times Book Review in the Criminals At Large section on April 3, 1949.
Just at the time that the tough genre in fiction needs revitalizing John Macdonald turns up.
Observations
The Moving Target served as the basis for the 1966 film Harper, starring Paul Newman as Archer and Lauren Bacall. William Goldman wrote the adaptation.
Additional Publication Information
The information is here is accurate to the best knowledge of the site’s author, but should not be presumed to be definitive.
| Date | Publisher | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1949 | Alfred A. Knopf | 2nd edition (Mystery Guild) |
| 1950 | Pocket Books | 3rd edition |
| 1951 | Cassell & Company | 1st English edition |
| 1954 | Pan Books | 5th edition (UK, paper) |
| 1959 | Pocket Books | 6th edition |
| 1966 | Pocket Books of Canada | 6th edition (as Harper) |
| 1966, 1971 | Collins/Fontana | 7th edition (UK) |
| 1967 | Alfred A. Knopf | 8th edition (collected in Archer in Hollywood) |
| 1970 | Bantam | 9th edition |
| 1979 | Gregg Publishing | 1st edition, second printing |
| 1979 | John Curley | 10th edition (large print edition) |
| 1998 | Vintage Crime/Black Lizard | 1998 edition |
Book Covers
 |
1st edition dust jacket cover |
 |
1950 Pocketbook cover |
 |
1951 Cassell and Company (UK) |
 |
1954 Pan cover (UK) |
 |
1959 Pocketbook cover |
 |
1966 Collins/Fontana cover Harper movie tie-in |
 |
1970 Bantam cover |
 |
1971 Fontana cover |
 |
Bantam cover (unknown date) |
 |
1983, Allison & Busby (UK) |
 |
Warner Books cover (date, edition unknown) |
 |
1998 Vintage/Black Lizard cover |
Leave a Reply