The Third Man (novel)

"The Third Man" is a novel by Graham Greene, based on his screenplay for the 1949 film. Set in post-World War II Vienna, it follows an American writer, Holly Martins, who arrives to meet his old friend Harry Lime, only to discover Lime's mysterious and possibly criminal activities. As Martins investigates, he navigates the city's shadowy, ruined landscape and encounters moral ambiguity, ultimately confronting themes of trust, corruption, and deception. The story combines suspense with a reflection on human weakness, capturing the tense atmosphere of a city divided and struggling to rebuild after war.