The Salamander (West novel)
The Salamander (1973) is a novel by Australian writer Morris West.

Synopsis
Dante Matucci, a captain in the Italian secret service, begins an investigation into the death of an Italian general, found dead in his apartment. Next to the body was a small card depicting a salamander in a bed of flames. Soon Matucci discovers that the Salamander is really a millionaire industrialist Bruno Manzini, and he is drawn into a difficult investigation.

Critical reception
John Philip, writing in The Canberra Times, found the novel "a tale that will enthrall fans of action-packed topical novels." And he concluded: "This may not be Morris West's best novel, but it makes arresting reading and will find favour with a wide range of readers."

Publication history
After its original publication in 1973 in England by publishers Heinemann the novel was later published as follows:

 William Morrow, USA, 1973
 Pocket Books, USA, 1974
 Allen & Unwin, Australia, 2017

and many other paperback editions.

The novel was also translated into German in 1973.

Film adaptation

The novel was adapted for film in 1981, directed by Peter Zinner, from a screenplay by Robert Kratz and Rod Serling.

The film featured:
 Franco Nero as Carabinieri Colonel Dante Matucci
 Anthony Quinn as Bruno Manzini
 Martin Balsam as Captain Steffanelli

Notes
 Dedication: "For Silvio Stefano, wise councellor, honest advocate, friend of my heart"
 Epigraph:
If we could learn to look instead of gawking,
We'd see the horror in the heart of farce.
If only we could act instead of talking,
We would not always end up on our arse.
This was the thing that had us nearly mastered!
Don't yet rejoice in his defeat, you men.
For though the world stood up and stopped the bastard,
The bitch that bore him is on heat again.
From Arturo Ui by Bertolt Brecht, translated by George Tabori

See also
 1973 in Australian literature

References

 1973 Australian novels
 Australian novels adapted into films
 Works by Morris West