In the 60–70s, the works of the English writer Desmond Bagley reached one of the first places in the world in their circulation. Each of Bagley's subsequent novels invariably became a bestseller, and almost all of them were filmed. Bagley's books continue to be widely republished in many countries to this day, although in Russia the work of this author is almost unknown. Desmond Bagley became a celebrity after the release of the novel “The Golden Keel” in 1963, and since then his name has invariably occupied the first lines on the readership scale popularity. A masterfully constructed intrigue, replete with unexpected twists, a bright exotic color, excellent command of style, gentle humor - this is not a complete list of the advantages of the works of Bagley, one of the greatest masters of the modern adventure novel.