The Garner Files

Synopsis

One of Hollywood's great leading men, James Garner boasts a career that spans six decades. Whether known as Bret Maverick, Jim Rockford, or Noah Calhoun, Garner's mass appeal transcends generations, but few know the true story of his life, now told in his intimate memoir of growing up in Oklahoma and making it in Hollywood.

After suffering physical abuse at the hands of his stepmother, Garner left home at fourteen. He went on to become Oklahoma's first draftee of the Korean War and was honoured for his bravery with two Purple Hearts. Garner eventually returned to Los Angeles where his acting career took off. Working alongside some of the most renowned celebrities - among them Julie Andrews, Marlon Brando, Clint Eastwood - Garner became a star in his own right.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Case of the Missing Masterpiece

* Introduction to Emily Garner, a young private investigator, and her mentor, the retired detective, John Butler.
* Emily is hired by a wealthy art collector, Mrs. Whitfield, to find her stolen painting, "The Lady with the Ermine."
* Emily investigates the art world and suspects a rival collector, Mr. Van Derlyn.
* Real Example: In 2012, a priceless Vermeer painting was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. Investigators suspected multiple suspects and launched a global search.

Chapter 2: The Mystery of the Murdered Millionaire

* Emily is called to investigate the murder of a wealthy entrepreneur, Richard Carter.
* The police suspect Carter's business partner, but Emily suspects a more complex motive.
* She discovers that Carter was involved in a secret business deal that involved blackmail and secret payments.
* Real Example: The murder of fashion mogul Maurizio Gucci in 1995 raised questions about family rivalries, financial disputes, and the involvement of a psychic medium.

Chapter 3: The Enigma of the Vanishing Viscount

* A Lord goes missing from his estate, leaving behind only a mysterious note.
* Emily investigates the family history and uncovers a long-held secret that may be connected to the disappearance.
* She delves into the world of British aristocracy, uncovering hidden connections and dark family dynamics.
* Real Example: In 1990, Lord Lucan mysteriously vanished after allegedly murdering his nanny. The case generated national interest and remains unsolved to this day.

Chapter 4: The Curse of the Ancient Artifact

* Emily is hired by an archaeology professor to find a stolen ancient relic.
* The artifact is rumored to be cursed, and its theft has caused a string of strange occurrences.
* Emily follows the trail of the relic, uncovering a secret society and an ancient legend.
* Real Example: In 2018, a priceless Native American headdress was stolen from the National Museum of the American Indian. The theft sparked concerns about the cultural significance of stolen artifacts.

Chapter 5: The Riddle of the Phantom Hacker

* A major corporation hires Emily to investigate a series of cyberattacks that are threatening their operations.
* She teams up with a brilliant hacker to track down the responsible party.
* Emily uncovers a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of corporate power.
* Real Example: The 2014 Sony Pictures hack exposed sensitive information and caused significant reputational damage. Investigators traced the attack to North Korean hackers.

Chapter 6: The Ultimate Conspiracy

* Emily and her mentor uncover a vast conspiracy that connects all of the previous cases.
* They realize that a mysterious organization is manipulating events behind the scenes.
* Emily must confront her own past and race against time to stop the organization's plans.
* Real Example: The Watergate scandal of the 1970s uncovered a complex conspiracy and led to the downfall of U.S. President Richard Nixon.