An eye for a tooth

An Eye for a Tooth was written by Dornford Yates, the pen name of Cecil William Mercer, during the later years of his career. Published in 1944, the novel belongs to the popular Chandos series, which follows the adventures of Richard Chandos and his companions. These books were deeply rooted in the interwar period's tradition of romantic adventure and thriller fiction, reflecting the author's aristocratic sensibilities and his penchant for high-stakes intrigue set against refined, often European, landscapes.

The 1957 Ward Lock edition serves as a later reprint of the original work, maintaining the classic design standards of the publisher’s long-standing relationship with Yates. Dornford Yates was highly regarded during his lifetime for his polished prose and the meticulous, almost mannered construction of his characters' world. While the literary establishment sometimes critiqued his rigid social outlook, his work enjoyed immense commercial success and a loyal following, cementing his place as a definitive voice in the golden age of British adventure writing.