The Intercom Conspiracy
| Industry | Publishing |
|---|---|
| Products | Weekly publication (far-right magazine) |
The Intercom Conspiracy is a thriller novel authored by British writer Eric Ambler, initially released in 1969. It was later transformed into a television series titled A Quiet Conspiracy.
Plot
The story centers on two high-ranking military officers from small Northern European nations, both veterans of the WWII Anti-Nazi Resistance, who are appointed as liaison officers at NATO Headquarters. Despite their impressive backgrounds, they are largely disregarded by their American counterparts. Feeling marginalized, they conceive a scheme to exact revenge and secure financial gain before retiring. Following the death of the proprietor of a far-right weekly publication called Intercom, they take control of the publishing firm. Through a fabricated intermediary, they provide the editor with "articles" disclosing classified details about weapon systems belonging to the US, USSR, Britain, and NATO.
Prior to the release of the fourth installment, an offer of $500,000 is made to purchase and close down the magazine. The transaction is swiftly completed, resulting in the magazine's closure and the removal of its assets. The officers divide the earnings and prepare for retirement.
The plot is revealed through materials intended for a book commissioned from Charles Latimer, a historian turned thriller author who has vanished. The reader gains insight via his collected interviews, telegrams, correspondence, and dramatized accounts.
Most incidents are portrayed from the perspective of Intercom's editor Theodore Carter. Having previously worked under a retired American general known for Cold War hawkishness, Carter transforms conspiracy theories into published articles. His involvement with the new owners' submissions places him at risk: he experiences anonymous threatening phone calls, an intimidating visit by alleged CIA agents, abduction attempts, and an attack involving nerve gas at his workplace. After fleeing and crashing his vehicle in panic, authorities temporarily disregard his story just long enough for the sale to be finalized.
In the concluding chapter, Carter travels to Latimer's residence in Majorca and notices an intelligence official living extravagantly nearby. He infers that Latimer uncovered excessive sensitive information during his inquiry and was eliminated by this rival chief prior to disappearing—leaving behind the notes that constitute the narrative.
Context
Charles Latimer also features as a character in The Mask of Dimitrios.
The novel’s format has been characterized as "postmodern" by The Guardian.
TV adaptation
This novel was brought to television audiences in 1980 under the Italian title "Ricatto internazionale" and again in 1989 as "A Quiet Conspiracy," a four-episode series broadcast on the UK's ITV, starring Joss Ackland portraying Theodore Carter.