This must rank as one of the very finest of Brian Clemens's splendid "Thriller" series.
Gary Collins plays Hugh Briant, an American married to a rich English woman. He has grown bored with her and takes the opportunity of testing a burglar he disturbs breaking into the house. He wants to see whether the man is prepared to kill. He is not, but later another burglar comes along who is not so principled. Briant blackmails this burglar, called Max Burns, into killing his wife. Burns makes it clear that he is quite happy to do the act.
Briant returns home to see the deed has been done but he has been framed for the murder. Burns is revelling in his deception and a detective seems quite happy to snare Briant. Can he save himself?
This outline does not do justice to the brilliance of this story. There are cracking performances by Collins and by Stuart Wilson as the loathsome Max Burns. The scenes between them are electrifying. Peter Bowles, better known for his later comedy guises, is exceptional as an unorthodox - more accurately unprofessional - detective. The writing and direction are always engaging. Through great writing and acting the viewer ends up rooting for the framed Briant - a man who organised the murder of his wife.
The climax though is utterly superb and really has to be witnessed. Suffice to say there is a remarkable twist ... See this if you can!