Arthur Abdel Simpson books in order

Q: "How many books are in the Arthur Abdel Simpson series?"

"There are three books in the Arthur Abdel Simpson series, published between 1962 and 1967."

Q: "What is the first book in the Arthur Abdel Simpson series?"

"The first book in the Arthur Abdel Simpson series is The Light of Day, published in 1962."

Q: "Who is Arthur Abdel Simpson?"

"Arthur Abdel Simpson is a small-time con man who gets swept into a major heist in The Light of Day (1962), which was filmed as Topkapi (1964). He returns in Dirty Story (1967)."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	The Light of Day	1962	Eric Ambler	Buy
2	Topkapi	1962	Eric Ambler	N/A
3	Dirty Story	1967	Eric Ambler	Buy

Arthur Abdel Simpson is one of Eric Ambler’s most memorable characters: a petty crook and con man who stumbles into international crime. The Light of Day (1962) follows his involvement in a jewel heist in Istanbul and was adapted into the film Topkapi. Dirty Story (1967) finds Simpson in further trouble.

The Light of Day won the Edgar Award for Best Novel in 1964, and its film adaptation Topkapi starred Peter Ustinov in the Simpson role. The story’s heist plot, set against the backdrop of Istanbul’s Topkapi Palace, became one of the genre’s most imitated setups. Simpson is an unlikely protagonist: cowardly, dishonest, and perpetually out of his depth.

Dirty Story sends Simpson to Africa, where he gets tangled up in mercenary operations and political chaos. Ambler’s dry humor and his skill with morally flawed characters are on full display in both books. The two novels can be read independently, though Simpson’s personality and history carry over from one to the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Arthur Abdel Simpson series?

There are three books in the Arthur Abdel Simpson series, published between 1962 and 1967.

What is the first book in the Arthur Abdel Simpson series?

The first book in the Arthur Abdel Simpson series is The Light of Day, published in 1962.

Who is Arthur Abdel Simpson?

Arthur Abdel Simpson is a small-time con man who gets swept into a major heist in The Light of Day (1962), which was filmed as Topkapi (1964). He returns in Dirty Story (1967).

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order