The Sixty-First Second

"The Sixty-First Second" by Owen Johnson is a captivating tale set in the heart of early 20th-century New York, amidst growing financial uncertainty, and tells the story of two rival trust company presidents, John G. Slade and Bernard L. Majendie, whose lives are entangled in a complex web of ambition and danger. The novel throws us straight into a glamorous New York apartment, where a party hosted by Mrs. Rita Kildair takes a dark turn when her precious ruby ring vanishes, sparking a frantic search and a suspenseful countdown that threatens to expose hidden secrets and entangle guests in the theft. As tensions rise with each passing second, the unfolding events reveal a deeper exploration of broken trusts and betrayals, showcasing human nature in the face of crisis and leaving the reader eager to uncover each character’s motivations.