Secret Service agent Doyle Coldiron gets into hot water before you can say, "Just the facts, ma'am." Soon he's swept up in an outrageous flood of e...
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Mar 24, 2011
Peter
rated it: 
3.5 Stars
Doyle Coldiron is a reserved and guarded introvert in the Secret Service. He also has a penchant for dry humor and happens to be a lonely romantic. Add in a possible, secret baseball game with the CIA, an off-limits love interest, and a vague plot line involving SPAM and you have the Night of the Avenging Blowfish.
As I started reading this book, I had trouble comparing the structure to anything else. As much as I dislike the comparison for many reasons, the neare More...
Doyle Coldiron is a reserved and guarded introvert in the Secret Service. He also has a penchant for dry humor and happens to be a lonely romantic. Add in a possible, secret baseball game with the CIA, an off-limits love interest, and a vague plot line involving SPAM and you have the Night of the Avenging Blowfish.
As I started reading this book, I had trouble comparing the structure to anything else. As much as I dislike the comparison for many reasons, the neare More...
Aug 14, 2010
Pk
rated it: 
I like to go to the library and buy random books (there is a bookstore in the local library where I live) since I do not favor a particular genre....it is also a great way to discover books/authors that would not normally catch a reader's attention. That being said, some books are a hit while others make one thank goodness that they spent less then a dollar on it . Night of the Avenging Blowfish was one of those books that I would never have normally picked up, yet, happy that I did. Life is so
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Jan 26, 2012
Amy
rated it:
One of my alltime favorite books. Funny, suspenseful, romantic. I picked it up because of the nutty title and was surprised to find such a good book between the covers.
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Oct 19, 2011
Deborah
rated it:
This is one of my favorite books ever. Seriously, this is the book that had me laughing so hard on a subway train, I looked up embarrassed and people moved to another bench. This is the book I've never wanted to lend out because you know when you lend your favorite book you're not going to get it back.
This is the reason I read Chris Moore, because Chris Moore does sweet and silly and hopeful and rising above disappointment almost this well.
This is a wonderful book.
This is the reason I read Chris Moore, because Chris Moore does sweet and silly and hopeful and rising above disappointment almost this well.
This is a wonderful book.
Jun 27, 2010
Matt
rated it:
It's nice to see Spam finally take a prominent role in literature. But Welter's story is also about a lovesick Secret Service agent. Love and Spam. Not together, though.
The best part of the book is the covert baseball game arranged between the CIA and Secret Service. It's to be played at night. Without lights. And the location is secret. Top secret. Even to the opposing sides.
It's a quick read. Read it for what it is. Some laugh out loud moments and a good More...
The best part of the book is the covert baseball game arranged between the CIA and Secret Service. It's to be played at night. Without lights. And the location is secret. Top secret. Even to the opposing sides.
It's a quick read. Read it for what it is. Some laugh out loud moments and a good More...
Aug 18, 2009
Margaret
rated it: 
I really liked this book, although it's one that I'm not sure I want other people to know I liked because it's so silly. Exactly as the title states, it's a novel of covert operations, love, and luncheon meat. Definitely an easy read, but entertaining none the less.
Oct 04, 2010
Kaethe
rated it:
03/22/2005
Such a funny book, and so sad in my memory. Welter writes well of depression. The baseball team, the angry chef, the attempts at helping others, and through it all the unshakable belief that if only she loved him, all would be well.
I knew someone who was very depressed in high school, not that we called it that then. Years later I ran into him, and he'd started therapy and one of the SSRIs and his life was so much better! Except that when I go to spend a litt More...
Such a funny book, and so sad in my memory. Welter writes well of depression. The baseball team, the angry chef, the attempts at helping others, and through it all the unshakable belief that if only she loved him, all would be well.
I knew someone who was very depressed in high school, not that we called it that then. Years later I ran into him, and he'd started therapy and one of the SSRIs and his life was so much better! Except that when I go to spend a litt More...
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Apr 01, 2010
Jonathan
rated it: 
While I enjoyed the light comedy of the book, I got really, terribly tired of the whiny, single-note of the main character. Ultimately, I just wanted to slap him.
Aug 17, 2009
Shari
rated it:
Story of Doyle Coldiron, a secret service agent working at the White House who just wants to be loved. Very funny book. It’s nice to read books about guys.
Jan 18, 2010
Launi
rated it:
lightweight. by the end I was tired of his quirky dialog. This person IRL would drive me crazy. By the end I felt like all this man thought about was sex.
Oct 09, 2011
Jim
rated it:
A humorous Heller-like story about a love-smitten wise-cracking Secret Service agent and his buddies who arrange a secretive baseball game against their CIA counterparts. There is a lot of funny dialogue, and some interesting musing, but the story is not always smooth, and is somewhat repetitive, but enjoyable enough for me to recommend it.
Apr 24, 2011
Kathleen
rated it:
Really funny, light read, still gets you to care about the characters.
Jun 22, 2010
AJ
rated it:
Liked. Read in my younger days before bad language bothered me so much. Funny story, but lots of bad language.
Mar 17, 2011
Emily
rated it:
Very bizarre...not sure if I liked it or not bu the funny parts had me in stitches so I couldn't help but enjoy it.
Apr 04, 2010
Lindsay
rated it:
One of my favorite books. I've read it a dozen times and I still go back on rainy days and reread the best parts. Still makes me laugh out loud (seriously!), too.
2010 Update: After the last reread, I've realized that this one doesn't quite touch me the way it used to. I still love it, and think it's hilarious, but I'm in a different place than I was when I first found Doyle Coldiron, so I don't identify with him nearly so much. So as sad as that makes me, it's probably for the best.
2010 Update: After the last reread, I've realized that this one doesn't quite touch me the way it used to. I still love it, and think it's hilarious, but I'm in a different place than I was when I first found Doyle Coldiron, so I don't identify with him nearly so much. So as sad as that makes me, it's probably for the best.
Jan 15, 2009
Leshawn
rated it:
I was thrilled with this book. It made me laugh so hard my ribs hurt.
Nov 18, 2009
Josh
rated it:
A howling cry of loneliness coated with a thin veneer of a silly plot about a Secret Service agent. The main character is about as believable a Secret Service agent as I am. The book is a flawed, repetitive, hokey, jokey mess, but I were asked to edit it, I'd leave it exactly as it is. This was my 2nd time reading it. I've never read anything else like it.
Welter was a local Chapel Hill guy back in the 90s, not sure where he is now.
Welter was a local Chapel Hill guy back in the 90s, not sure where he is now.
Mar 28, 2010
Stroudpat
rated it:
There were some very funny lines in this book - but they just didn't make up for the lack of any real plot.
Jun 24, 2008
Trena
rated it:
I totally loved this little book and its clever writing. As a bonus, it is set in DC and it's always fun to read about the place you live. The author is totally obscure and unheard of, rather unfairly I think. As far as pulpy fiction goes, he
should be at the top of the field.
should be at the top of the field.
Feb 03, 2008
Katie
rated it:
One of my favorite books! Super quick read, and funny as all hell. Welter's novels are all great, but this was the first one I read (found it completely by accident while looking for Welsh's books -- the title alone was enough incentive to buy it), so it remains my favorite.
Feb 06, 2008
Pamela
rated it:
One of my favorite all time books! I can't believe this hasn't been made into a movie. It is extremely funny. There are a few sex scenes but for the most part it is just a quirky look at the Secret Service. It has received rave reviews from every one I've loaned it to.
Jul 11, 2008
Sara
rated it:
I read this probably 10 or 12 years ago and really really liked it. I want to find it again and see if it's still as good now.
Upon re-read: Nope, doesn't hold up. There are still some funny parts, but it was mostly boring. Too bad.
Upon re-read: Nope, doesn't hold up. There are still some funny parts, but it was mostly boring. Too bad.
Jul 18, 2007
Mary
rated it:
I enjoyed the general concept of the book, and there were some absolutely hysterical one liners! It was a super fast read. I found the storyline uneven, however, which reduced the joy of the reading.
Apr 26, 2008
Amber
rated it:
Holy moley this book has me laughing out loud! Now that my own little brother is in the field of national security, I can't but hope he has his own secret ball games, not that he would tell me!
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Jul 24, 2007
Marina
rated it:
I love this book. I love everything about it. I read it so long ago I think I might oick it up & reread it. I remember laughing & really enjoying te entire book. Clever & funny.
Aug 14, 2007
Peggy
rated it:
Without a doubt, one of the laugh-out-loud funniest things I have ever read. Covert baseball games. The Spam Incident. The Secret Service has never been so amusing.
Jul 29, 2011
Leah
rated it:
If you enjoyed Joseph Heller's "Catch 22" you will likely find this book by Welter to be a fun ride!
