James Hadley Chase (JHC)’s ‘There’s always a Price Tag’ novel was first published in 1956. I purchased
this book from the SUNDAY ABIDS market – the CORGI edition of 1975 in early 1990s. This book was
originally owned by Mr. P. JAIRAJ SINGH BSc, who purchased for Rs.6.75 on 18 th October 1977. This
much I can see on the book. I can also see a neat rubber stamp proudly indicating the name and
educational qualification of the owner. I do not know where or whether he is! I purchased – from
second hand market for Rs.30/- (Thirty only). Though this book is almost 50 years old, it is fit to go for
additional 50 years!
In those days JHC was described as the “Thirty maestro of the generation” by the Manchester Evening
News”. The story of this book deals with a successful Hollywood producer Erle Dester; beautiful young
red-head Helen – Mrs. Dester; a young poor handsome man who is trying to meet both ends – Glyn
Nash, and a 750-thousand-dollar life Insurance policy.
Maddux is a character in many JHC novels. In many, he cracked bogus insurance claims. This novel also
talks of Mr. Maddux of the National Fidelity Insurance Company. He is a claims manager. It is important
to note the description: “He has a big reputation in the insurance world. He is smart, tough and
extremely efficient. It is said of him that he knows instinctively when a claim is a fake or not. He has
been with the National Fidelity for 25 years, and during that time he has sent a large number of people
to jail, and eighteen people to the death cell”.
“The position is that since I am shooting myself, the policy will be cancelled due to self-destruction
clause or suicide clause. However, Helen is desperate for money, and three-quarters of a million is a
tempting sum. It is possible she may be desperate enough to attempt to defraud the insurance
company. She could do so by making my suicide appear to be murder. I have a young fellow working for
me: his name is Glyn Nash. It is possible Helen may fake my suicide to look as if I had been murdered by
him”.
Well, this is the essence of this Insurance Thriller.
About the Author
Dr. K. Raja Gopal Reddy is a seasoned internationally qualified Insurance professional.
What you are reading here, may not answer all the questions we have, but has the absolute power of asking unsettling questions which increase the interest in the strange world, and show the contradictory wonders lying just below the surface of the commonest things of life. Look at this disturbing but beautiful thought of Friedrich Nietzsche “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him”.
Dr. Reddy can be reached at: raja66gopal@gmail.com