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Synopsis
In The Big Joke, the story begins with a seemingly innocuous phone call to bartender Johnny, who is offered a staggering $5,000 to commit murder. The request is to kill a man named Wilhelm Ulrich, someone Johnny has never met. Initially, Johnny thinks it’s a joke, a prank call from a drunk patron. However, when he receives a letter containing cash and specific instructions, the reality of the situation hits him hard.
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Sergeant Friday goes undercover to investigate an extortion ring posing as police officers, targeting wealthy businessmen in Los Angeles. The stakes rise as he navigates the deception to protect the innocent victims.
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Same mood, other nights on the dial
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An invalid woman overhears a chilling conversation about a planned murder while struggling with a malfunctioning telephone. As she fights to alert the authorities, the stakes rise with each passing moment.
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The Lone Ranger and Tonto prepare to defend Cold Spring against a band of outlaws led by Red Eagle, who are intent on stealing a chest of gold. Tensions rise as the outlaws launch their attack on the stagecoach station.
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X Minus One
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Nero Wolfe faces a pressing dilemma when a young woman seeks his help to recover her inheritance, which her father has squandered on a dubious treasure map. As Wolfe reluctantly takes on the case, the stakes rise with the revelation of swindlers and hidden value.
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