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THE AVILA GOLD by David Westheimer

THE AVILA GOLD

By

Pub Date: Nov. 18th, 1974
Publisher: Putnam

Not quite as hard-driven as his last adventure -- The Olmec Head -- but another treasure hunt proceeding on all fours this time as Professor Arthur McDowell, the recipient of an 1811 Spanish diary, and his friend Sussman tunnel their way underground on Olivera Street (L.A.) where a chest of Mexican gold pieces has been cached. Beyond the physical difficulties -- a cistern, a skeleton -- McDowell keeps tranquilizing his conscience with his wife Florence's pills to whom he admits most of what he's been doing -- not the part about the all too sexily available Gloria who's been exhausting whatever is left of his conjugal energy after the long days underground. Not fool's gold but the real thing -- as is Westheimer's professionalism -- and jauntier in tone this time.