The Dark Arena is the first novel by Mario Puzo, published in 1955. The book follows Walter Mosca, an American World War II veteran who returns to Germany for his girlfriend, Hella. The novel explores life in post-war Germany, a place where the standard currency is not the German mark, or even the U.S. dollar, but U.S.-made cigarettes. Reception The novel was not nearly as successful as his later works. The reviewers gave it modest acclaim, and admitted that Puzo had "solid talent." References External links 1955 American novels American crime novels Novels by Mario Puzo Novels set in Germany Random House books 1955 debut novels