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The Mammoth Book of Short Spy Novels
From award-winning editor Bill Pronzini comes The Mammoth Book of Short Spy Novels—a classic book updated for spymasters. Thirteen outstanding spy and espionage novellas, complete and unabridged, are gathered here in one terrific volume. They represent a specially chosen collection from the most accomplished writers in the field, including W. Somerset Maugham on Ashenden, his operative in World War I and Ian Fleming on 007 in the Caribbean, as well as Leslie Charteris, Erle Stanley Gardner, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and John Jakes, among others. These works span more than seventy-five years of espionage writing in the United States and England, and feature secret agents, counterspies, and double agents in settings from Japan to the former Eastern Bloc, and from World War I onward.
498 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1996
10 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Bill Pronzini
629 books236 followersMystery Writers of America Awards "Grand Master" 2008
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1999) for Boobytrap
Edgar Awards Best Novel nominee (1998) for A Wasteland of Strangers
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) for Sentinels
Shamus Awards "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) 1987
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1982) for Hoodwink
Married to author Marcia Muller.
Pseudonyms:
Robert Hart Davis (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Jack Foxx
William Jeffrey (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Alex Saxon
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1999) for Boobytrap
Edgar Awards Best Novel nominee (1998) for A Wasteland of Strangers
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) for Sentinels
Shamus Awards "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) 1987
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1982) for Hoodwink
Married to author Marcia Muller.
Pseudonyms:
Robert Hart Davis (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Jack Foxx
William Jeffrey (collaboration with Jeffrey M. Wallmann)
Alex Saxon
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 9, 2023
Some Heavy Hitters!
This anthology has twelve novelettes with some big name authors inside.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, W. Somerset Maugham, Leslie Charteris, Erle Stanley Gardner, John Jakes and Ian Fleming are some of the heavy hitters in this collection.
And the spying is suspenseful! You are biting your nails while reading, wondering if your heroes are going to survive the assignments.
Even when the story is over, it starts all over again with the next story. Great entertainment.
Recommended.
Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This anthology has twelve novelettes with some big name authors inside.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, W. Somerset Maugham, Leslie Charteris, Erle Stanley Gardner, John Jakes and Ian Fleming are some of the heavy hitters in this collection.
And the spying is suspenseful! You are biting your nails while reading, wondering if your heroes are going to survive the assignments.
Even when the story is over, it starts all over again with the next story. Great entertainment.
Recommended.
Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 25, 2023
Espionage, Murder, Romance, Bombings, Honeytraps and what not!! The Mammoth Book of Short Spy Novels is an exceptional book which has complete potential to satiate the heart of a Spy story lover! Big thanks to Bill Pronzini for picking the best Spy stories and compiling into a book! Every single story is unique with a plot equally intriguing.
My favourites were: The Sizzling Saboteur, Deep-Sleep, Betrayed and The Giggle-Wrecker
The book contains 12 stories all by different authors. Checkout spoiler-free description of each story below.
1. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s - “The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans”
Rating 3.5/5
The book starts with the story of the world-famous fictional detective - Sherlock Holmes. Without much meandering, the reader is introduced to the mystery in a short while and thus begins a wild goose chase to find the missing papers of the Bruce-Partington plans which supposedly is an important defence document. This is a typical SH story with Watson as his partner-in-(solving)-crime narrating the story in first person. The plot is unique and difficult to detect but not too complex to follow. However, since this was meant to be a short story, it ends fairly quickly.
2. W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM’s - “The Traitor”
Rating 4/5
The Traitor comprises two spy stories, both traitors. The first story was quite short, and I am still curious about what made the author squeeze that in. In the second story, Ashenden - An English spy conceals his identity and meets another Englishman who is also a Spy however he’s been providing information to the Germans. The plot is all about a spy’s state of mind and why they do whatever they do. Is it the passion for the country, is it money or something else? There isn’t much about the plot but the way Ashenden manipulates the Englishman is difficult to forget.
3. CORNELL WOOLRICH’s - “Tokyo, 1941”
Rating 3/5
Tokyo, 1941 is a story about an American spy (Lyons) working for Russia within Japan. When the Jap’s start suspecting Lyons, they deploy Tomato - a young girl who aims to take Lyons down. In this story is also an angle of a Diamond that Lyons procures within Japan. Although not clearly mentioned, the Diamond seems to be cursed and only brings despair, anguish, poverty, or worse to the owner. The climax of the story is quite a unique one however the story in general is more or less an average but decent read.
4. LESLIE CHARTERIS’s- “The Sizzling Saboteur”
Rating 5/5
This was the perfect Spy story so far in the book. Leslie Chateris’s writing style and character formation are quite praiseworthy! Imbibing humour in serious and tense situations correctly is an art and through Simon “Saint” Templar’s character, Leslie has proved his mastery. Excellent plot, beautiful characterisations and a good end! Loved this one.
Simon Templar finds a log of wood on the road to Galveston which turns out to be a man burnt by a mob and thereupon begins the search for the mobsters who were responsible for it.
Characters like Yard, Kingslake, Olga were excellently written.
5. ERLE GARDENER’S - “The Danger Zone”
Rating 5/5
The Danger Zone was an action-packed, interesting and a perfect Spy novel!
Major Brane is tasked at finding a Chinese girl who has been abducted for possessing secrets about a local influencer.
I loved reading Major Brane and his thought process which was always double-backed! Excellent setup!
6. JOHN D. MACDONALD’s - “Betrayed”
Rating 5/5
Extremely engaging and brings one on the edge of their seat. Left me waiting for more and ended too quickly!
Francie is assigned a new job at a Weather department office which is a cover for creating an equipment that would save the nation from being nuked. However, she’s not the only one who knows about it.
Great spy work and excellent characters again! This was a typical plot from a movie however it was much better experience to read it.
7. BRUCE CASSIDAY’S “Deep-Sleep”
Rating 5/5
Nothing short of a great action-packed movie. Romance, Espionage, Hypnotism, Abduction, Guns and glory!
Peter Baron and his friend Duke Farinese attempt to protect the formula of “Deep-Sleep: which is of strategic importance as anyone with their hands on it could put any man in Deep sleep within seconds. Paula Rimmini is its guardian who is blackmailed to handover Deep Sleep in the exchange for her brother Mario Rimmini
Another gem filled with lots of twists and turns!
8. EDWARD D. HOCH’s “The People of the Peacock”
Rating 2/5
Venice is a retired spy who wishes intends to live a normal life under disguise. Moon, a CIA investigator dies amidst investigating Venice who is supposedly in the city. Leopold is a town police who has a good reputation and is assigned the case to find out what happened.
Didn’t interest me as much as the stories above. This one is said to bear a couple of red herrings (as per reviews) which I missed clearly. Not much fascinated by the plot
9. JOHN JAKES’s - “Dr. Sweetkill”
Rating: 4/5
Unpredictable and action-packed with a hint of romance and lots of drama!
Nick Lamont is quite desperate for a new “job”, especially after the last one bombs with him killing an agent “Tenderly” during a mission. He is tasked with getting a job in a German private organisation and destroys one of its Research wings which is being controlled by Dr.Sweetkill who is responsible for shipping a nerve gas to the east!
10. PETER O’DONNELL’s - The Giggle-Wrecker
Rating: 5/5
This one is easily one of the top 2 stories from the book! Quite a twisted plot and unbelievable execution!
Professor Okubo, a bacteriologist is holed out in East Berlin barely yards away from the Wall to West Berlin. Modesty and Willie Garvin are not new to passing between East and West Berlin however Okubo is not an everyday cargo.
This one’s a funny tale of abduction and transfer using non-conventional means!
11. MICHAEL GILBERT’s - The Spoilers
Rating: 2/5
I couldn’t connect with this story much. Maybe due to its meandering plot which lost my interest.
The current government is in turmoil since a lot of government ministers and officials have started resigning stating stupid reasons or getting killed. Mr Behrens and Mr Calder are brought to the party to investigate and soon begins an episode of questioning, trap laying and treachery.
12. IAN FLEMING’s - Octopussy
Rating 4.5/5
This is a James Bond story however James Bond barely makes a small appearance in this one and No, this is not at all related to the movie Octopussy.
Major Dexter Smythe is approached by James Bond in connection with an act performed by Smythe in the past. Out of greed, Smythe commits a crime for which Bond questions and sends him for Court Marshall. This isn’t really an espionage story however the narration is quite immersive and thereby interesting.
----
I just didn't wish this book ended! Highly recommended and a full 5 starred rock-n-roll ride!!
My favourites were: The Sizzling Saboteur, Deep-Sleep, Betrayed and The Giggle-Wrecker
The book contains 12 stories all by different authors. Checkout spoiler-free description of each story below.
1. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s - “The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans”
Rating 3.5/5
The book starts with the story of the world-famous fictional detective - Sherlock Holmes. Without much meandering, the reader is introduced to the mystery in a short while and thus begins a wild goose chase to find the missing papers of the Bruce-Partington plans which supposedly is an important defence document. This is a typical SH story with Watson as his partner-in-(solving)-crime narrating the story in first person. The plot is unique and difficult to detect but not too complex to follow. However, since this was meant to be a short story, it ends fairly quickly.
2. W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM’s - “The Traitor”
Rating 4/5
The Traitor comprises two spy stories, both traitors. The first story was quite short, and I am still curious about what made the author squeeze that in. In the second story, Ashenden - An English spy conceals his identity and meets another Englishman who is also a Spy however he’s been providing information to the Germans. The plot is all about a spy’s state of mind and why they do whatever they do. Is it the passion for the country, is it money or something else? There isn’t much about the plot but the way Ashenden manipulates the Englishman is difficult to forget.
3. CORNELL WOOLRICH’s - “Tokyo, 1941”
Rating 3/5
Tokyo, 1941 is a story about an American spy (Lyons) working for Russia within Japan. When the Jap’s start suspecting Lyons, they deploy Tomato - a young girl who aims to take Lyons down. In this story is also an angle of a Diamond that Lyons procures within Japan. Although not clearly mentioned, the Diamond seems to be cursed and only brings despair, anguish, poverty, or worse to the owner. The climax of the story is quite a unique one however the story in general is more or less an average but decent read.
4. LESLIE CHARTERIS’s- “The Sizzling Saboteur”
Rating 5/5
This was the perfect Spy story so far in the book. Leslie Chateris’s writing style and character formation are quite praiseworthy! Imbibing humour in serious and tense situations correctly is an art and through Simon “Saint” Templar’s character, Leslie has proved his mastery. Excellent plot, beautiful characterisations and a good end! Loved this one.
Simon Templar finds a log of wood on the road to Galveston which turns out to be a man burnt by a mob and thereupon begins the search for the mobsters who were responsible for it.
Characters like Yard, Kingslake, Olga were excellently written.
5. ERLE GARDENER’S - “The Danger Zone”
Rating 5/5
The Danger Zone was an action-packed, interesting and a perfect Spy novel!
Major Brane is tasked at finding a Chinese girl who has been abducted for possessing secrets about a local influencer.
I loved reading Major Brane and his thought process which was always double-backed! Excellent setup!
6. JOHN D. MACDONALD’s - “Betrayed”
Rating 5/5
Extremely engaging and brings one on the edge of their seat. Left me waiting for more and ended too quickly!
Francie is assigned a new job at a Weather department office which is a cover for creating an equipment that would save the nation from being nuked. However, she’s not the only one who knows about it.
Great spy work and excellent characters again! This was a typical plot from a movie however it was much better experience to read it.
7. BRUCE CASSIDAY’S “Deep-Sleep”
Rating 5/5
Nothing short of a great action-packed movie. Romance, Espionage, Hypnotism, Abduction, Guns and glory!
Peter Baron and his friend Duke Farinese attempt to protect the formula of “Deep-Sleep: which is of strategic importance as anyone with their hands on it could put any man in Deep sleep within seconds. Paula Rimmini is its guardian who is blackmailed to handover Deep Sleep in the exchange for her brother Mario Rimmini
Another gem filled with lots of twists and turns!
8. EDWARD D. HOCH’s “The People of the Peacock”
Rating 2/5
Venice is a retired spy who wishes intends to live a normal life under disguise. Moon, a CIA investigator dies amidst investigating Venice who is supposedly in the city. Leopold is a town police who has a good reputation and is assigned the case to find out what happened.
Didn’t interest me as much as the stories above. This one is said to bear a couple of red herrings (as per reviews) which I missed clearly. Not much fascinated by the plot
9. JOHN JAKES’s - “Dr. Sweetkill”
Rating: 4/5
Unpredictable and action-packed with a hint of romance and lots of drama!
Nick Lamont is quite desperate for a new “job”, especially after the last one bombs with him killing an agent “Tenderly” during a mission. He is tasked with getting a job in a German private organisation and destroys one of its Research wings which is being controlled by Dr.Sweetkill who is responsible for shipping a nerve gas to the east!
10. PETER O’DONNELL’s - The Giggle-Wrecker
Rating: 5/5
This one is easily one of the top 2 stories from the book! Quite a twisted plot and unbelievable execution!
Professor Okubo, a bacteriologist is holed out in East Berlin barely yards away from the Wall to West Berlin. Modesty and Willie Garvin are not new to passing between East and West Berlin however Okubo is not an everyday cargo.
This one’s a funny tale of abduction and transfer using non-conventional means!
11. MICHAEL GILBERT’s - The Spoilers
Rating: 2/5
I couldn’t connect with this story much. Maybe due to its meandering plot which lost my interest.
The current government is in turmoil since a lot of government ministers and officials have started resigning stating stupid reasons or getting killed. Mr Behrens and Mr Calder are brought to the party to investigate and soon begins an episode of questioning, trap laying and treachery.
12. IAN FLEMING’s - Octopussy
Rating 4.5/5
This is a James Bond story however James Bond barely makes a small appearance in this one and No, this is not at all related to the movie Octopussy.
Major Dexter Smythe is approached by James Bond in connection with an act performed by Smythe in the past. Out of greed, Smythe commits a crime for which Bond questions and sends him for Court Marshall. This isn’t really an espionage story however the narration is quite immersive and thereby interesting.
----
I just didn't wish this book ended! Highly recommended and a full 5 starred rock-n-roll ride!!
May 27, 2015
The Mammoth Book of Short Spy Novels edited by Bill Pronzini & Martin H. Greenberg
This collection of twelve previously published spy and espionage novellas are set in a wide variety of settings and times. Written over a 75 year period, you can see the development of the genre. 3.5 out of 5 overall rating of this collection.
“The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Part of the Sherlock Holmes series. Sherlock's brother, Mycroft Holmes, needs help with the mysterious death of a government employee who was in possession of important government documents, three essential pages of which are missing. I've always had a soft spot for Mycroft Holmes, a man more brilliant than his younger brother, but a man who prefered to help direct the British government from his office or his club rather than running about London. In this small tale, we can scent the approaching winds of war as everyone is scrambling to find the top-secret submarine plans. 3.5 out of 5.
“The Traitor” by W. Somerset Maugham. When R put Ashenden in charge of their assets in Switzerland, he held up Gustav as an example of the type of intelligence reporting they wanted. But it isn't long before R become suspicious and sends Ashenden to find out the truth. That leads to another spy, this one a traitor to his own country. I've never read any Maugham before, so I wasn't certain of his style. Oh, but this tale. The author gives the characters such depth and dimension. As Ashenden himself states, people are not just black and white, good or bad. There are so many shades of gray. Despite their actions, I felt sorry for the Caypors. 4.5 out of 5.
“Tokyo 1941” by Cornell Woolrich. John Lyons enjoyed his life in Japan, even if his wife Ruth didn’t. He drank too much, whored around, and did some spying. The thread of the blue diamond and the bad luck of everyone who possessed it previously was an interesting touch, presumably based on the alleged history of the Hope Diamond. Lyons was a despicable character throughout…until the end. The one I felt most sorry for was the wife, an innocent caught up in her husband’s machinations and the Japanese police state. 3.5 out of 5.
“The Sizzling Saboteur” (aka “The Saint and the Sizzling Saboteur”) by Leslie Charteris. Taking a back road while on his way to Galveston, Texas, Simon Templar comes across what he first thought was a burning log in the middle of the road. It isn’t soon before the Saint is hard at work to discover exactly who the victim was and who could have wanted him dead is such a horrible manner. My father was a huge fan of the Saint books, but by the time I was old enough to read, they were mostly out of print. All I could do was watch Roger Moore, the best Saint since George Sanders, on television. This story is set during World War II, after Germany tried to invade Russia. We’re given the snarkiness, the smoothness, and the way Charteris had of inviting the audience in on the joke. I do so wish the books were brought back in their entirety rather than just the same five that are constantly reprinted. 4 out of 5.
“The Danger Zone” by Erle Stanley Gardner. Major Copely Brane, soldier of fortune, is forcibly hired to find kidnapped Jee Kit King. Jee had been spying on Mah Bak Heng, looking for proof that he was delaying peace talks in China. The author, better known for his Perry Mason books, has attempted a story in the style of James Bond or Simon Templar. While an interesting look at Chinatown in San Francisco with surprisingly little derogative narration considering the time it was written in, Brane just doesn’t have that debonair air about him. Sadly something went horribly wrong with the editing and compilation in the middle of this story with another tale seemingly jammed in. I don’t think much was missing, but it still didn’t help with the flow of the story during one of the more intense parts. 3.5 out of 5.
“Betrayed” by John D. MacDonald. After the death of her Army soldier husband, Francie Aintrell fled the memories of Washington D. C. to take a top secret job in rural New York. She makes new friends, but that might not turn out well at all. Loved this one. A strong female lead who, despite there being a potential love interest present, stood up for herself and didn’t really need him to rescue her. Intrigue, romance, exciting plot, all in one fascinating story. 4 out of 5.
“Deep-Sleep” by Bruce Cassiday. Mario Rimini is kidnapped as leverage to force his twin sister Paula to turn over a top secret knockout formula. It is up to Peter Baron and his friends to retrieve the formula once Mario and Paula are safe. Kind of a low rent Simon Templar, but still a decent read. The villain of the piece was like those in James Bond or Doc Savage cranked up. No, more like in Batman or Dick Tracy! 3.5 out of 5.
“The People of the Peacock” by Edward D. Hoch. Small town police captain Leopold is visited by CIA representative Jim Saunter after the apparent suicide death of Walter Moon, another of the CIA’s investigators. Moon had been in town searching for a retired enemy spy. Very interesting in that the author doesn’t go for the simple black and white with his characters and their actions. A few too many red herrings could have the reader going quietly nuts, but does mess up the suspect pool quite a bit. 3.5 out of 5.
“Dr. Sweetkill” by John Jakes. Freelance agent Nick Lamont was not currently in favor with British Intelligence after Arthur Tenderly’s death in Gibraltar. But a suicide mission with his name on it soon has Nick and an associate trying to destroy Dr. Sweetkill’s laboratory. Once again we have a low budget James Bond like story with spies, girls, and strange villains. There are some good scenes, but also some blatant caricatures. I did find interesting Nick’s anger issues, particularly when he drinks. It was okay, but nothing great. 3 out of 5.
“The Giggle-Wrecker” by Peter O’Donnell. Minister of Defense Waverly has ordered Sir Geral Tarrant to get a defecting scientist out of East Germany, even if he must activate their sleeper cell. When Tarrant refuses, Modesty Blaise and Willie Garvin step in to save the day as well as Tarrant’s job. I adore the Modesty Blaise books. They are funny and inventive, but still raw and violent at times. What particularly attracted me from the first was the relationship between Willie and his Princess. It is not sexual in anyway. They are best friends and partners, a closer relationship than that of lovers. This shorter tale shows all the best of a Blaise and Garvin adventure. 4.5 out of 5.
“The Spoilers” by Michael Gilbert. Mr. Behrens and Mr. Calder are brought in to investigate the increasing number of government officials who have suddenly resigned and who died by suicide. I’ve long heard of Behrens and Calder, but had never read any of the stories before. Quite interesting, the strong characterization as well as the glimpse into how the two men work and live made me want to read more. A super strong female with the ability to rescue herself was icing on the fictional cake. 4 out of 5.
“Octopussy” by Ian Fleming. Crimes from the end of World War II have come back to demand justice from retired Major Dexter Smythe, courtesy of James Bond. Smythe has just one more task to complete before he must decide whether to take the “gentleman’s exit”. Very little Bond in this one. Definitely no sexy women or super villains, just one sad and lonely man already facing death due to a bad heart. 4 out of 5.
This collection of twelve previously published spy and espionage novellas are set in a wide variety of settings and times. Written over a 75 year period, you can see the development of the genre. 3.5 out of 5 overall rating of this collection.
“The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans” by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Part of the Sherlock Holmes series. Sherlock's brother, Mycroft Holmes, needs help with the mysterious death of a government employee who was in possession of important government documents, three essential pages of which are missing. I've always had a soft spot for Mycroft Holmes, a man more brilliant than his younger brother, but a man who prefered to help direct the British government from his office or his club rather than running about London. In this small tale, we can scent the approaching winds of war as everyone is scrambling to find the top-secret submarine plans. 3.5 out of 5.
“The Traitor” by W. Somerset Maugham. When R put Ashenden in charge of their assets in Switzerland, he held up Gustav as an example of the type of intelligence reporting they wanted. But it isn't long before R become suspicious and sends Ashenden to find out the truth. That leads to another spy, this one a traitor to his own country. I've never read any Maugham before, so I wasn't certain of his style. Oh, but this tale. The author gives the characters such depth and dimension. As Ashenden himself states, people are not just black and white, good or bad. There are so many shades of gray. Despite their actions, I felt sorry for the Caypors. 4.5 out of 5.
“Tokyo 1941” by Cornell Woolrich. John Lyons enjoyed his life in Japan, even if his wife Ruth didn’t. He drank too much, whored around, and did some spying. The thread of the blue diamond and the bad luck of everyone who possessed it previously was an interesting touch, presumably based on the alleged history of the Hope Diamond. Lyons was a despicable character throughout…until the end. The one I felt most sorry for was the wife, an innocent caught up in her husband’s machinations and the Japanese police state. 3.5 out of 5.
“The Sizzling Saboteur” (aka “The Saint and the Sizzling Saboteur”) by Leslie Charteris. Taking a back road while on his way to Galveston, Texas, Simon Templar comes across what he first thought was a burning log in the middle of the road. It isn’t soon before the Saint is hard at work to discover exactly who the victim was and who could have wanted him dead is such a horrible manner. My father was a huge fan of the Saint books, but by the time I was old enough to read, they were mostly out of print. All I could do was watch Roger Moore, the best Saint since George Sanders, on television. This story is set during World War II, after Germany tried to invade Russia. We’re given the snarkiness, the smoothness, and the way Charteris had of inviting the audience in on the joke. I do so wish the books were brought back in their entirety rather than just the same five that are constantly reprinted. 4 out of 5.
“The Danger Zone” by Erle Stanley Gardner. Major Copely Brane, soldier of fortune, is forcibly hired to find kidnapped Jee Kit King. Jee had been spying on Mah Bak Heng, looking for proof that he was delaying peace talks in China. The author, better known for his Perry Mason books, has attempted a story in the style of James Bond or Simon Templar. While an interesting look at Chinatown in San Francisco with surprisingly little derogative narration considering the time it was written in, Brane just doesn’t have that debonair air about him. Sadly something went horribly wrong with the editing and compilation in the middle of this story with another tale seemingly jammed in. I don’t think much was missing, but it still didn’t help with the flow of the story during one of the more intense parts. 3.5 out of 5.
“Betrayed” by John D. MacDonald. After the death of her Army soldier husband, Francie Aintrell fled the memories of Washington D. C. to take a top secret job in rural New York. She makes new friends, but that might not turn out well at all. Loved this one. A strong female lead who, despite there being a potential love interest present, stood up for herself and didn’t really need him to rescue her. Intrigue, romance, exciting plot, all in one fascinating story. 4 out of 5.
“Deep-Sleep” by Bruce Cassiday. Mario Rimini is kidnapped as leverage to force his twin sister Paula to turn over a top secret knockout formula. It is up to Peter Baron and his friends to retrieve the formula once Mario and Paula are safe. Kind of a low rent Simon Templar, but still a decent read. The villain of the piece was like those in James Bond or Doc Savage cranked up. No, more like in Batman or Dick Tracy! 3.5 out of 5.
“The People of the Peacock” by Edward D. Hoch. Small town police captain Leopold is visited by CIA representative Jim Saunter after the apparent suicide death of Walter Moon, another of the CIA’s investigators. Moon had been in town searching for a retired enemy spy. Very interesting in that the author doesn’t go for the simple black and white with his characters and their actions. A few too many red herrings could have the reader going quietly nuts, but does mess up the suspect pool quite a bit. 3.5 out of 5.
“Dr. Sweetkill” by John Jakes. Freelance agent Nick Lamont was not currently in favor with British Intelligence after Arthur Tenderly’s death in Gibraltar. But a suicide mission with his name on it soon has Nick and an associate trying to destroy Dr. Sweetkill’s laboratory. Once again we have a low budget James Bond like story with spies, girls, and strange villains. There are some good scenes, but also some blatant caricatures. I did find interesting Nick’s anger issues, particularly when he drinks. It was okay, but nothing great. 3 out of 5.
“The Giggle-Wrecker” by Peter O’Donnell. Minister of Defense Waverly has ordered Sir Geral Tarrant to get a defecting scientist out of East Germany, even if he must activate their sleeper cell. When Tarrant refuses, Modesty Blaise and Willie Garvin step in to save the day as well as Tarrant’s job. I adore the Modesty Blaise books. They are funny and inventive, but still raw and violent at times. What particularly attracted me from the first was the relationship between Willie and his Princess. It is not sexual in anyway. They are best friends and partners, a closer relationship than that of lovers. This shorter tale shows all the best of a Blaise and Garvin adventure. 4.5 out of 5.
“The Spoilers” by Michael Gilbert. Mr. Behrens and Mr. Calder are brought in to investigate the increasing number of government officials who have suddenly resigned and who died by suicide. I’ve long heard of Behrens and Calder, but had never read any of the stories before. Quite interesting, the strong characterization as well as the glimpse into how the two men work and live made me want to read more. A super strong female with the ability to rescue herself was icing on the fictional cake. 4 out of 5.
“Octopussy” by Ian Fleming. Crimes from the end of World War II have come back to demand justice from retired Major Dexter Smythe, courtesy of James Bond. Smythe has just one more task to complete before he must decide whether to take the “gentleman’s exit”. Very little Bond in this one. Definitely no sexy women or super villains, just one sad and lonely man already facing death due to a bad heart. 4 out of 5.
January 14, 2016
The Bruce- Partington plans by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 3.5/5
The traitor by W Somerset Maugham 4.5/5
Tokyo,1941 by Cornell Woolrich 3.5/5
The Sizzling Saboteur - Lee Charteris 3.5/5
The danger zone by Erle Stanley Gardner 4/5
Betrayed by John D Mcdonald 5/5
Deep Sleep by Bruce Cassidy 3.5/5
The People of the peacock by Edward D Hoch 4.5/5
Dr Sweetkill by John Jakes 3/5
The Giggle-Wrecker by Peter O Donell 3/5
The spoilers by Michael Gilbert 3.5/5
Octopussy by Ian Fleming 3/5
Although i my opinion Octopussy doesn't really falls in the category of spy novels. There was as such no espionage done here.
I would definitely be looking forward to reading other works by these authors.
The traitor by W Somerset Maugham 4.5/5
Tokyo,1941 by Cornell Woolrich 3.5/5
The Sizzling Saboteur - Lee Charteris 3.5/5
The danger zone by Erle Stanley Gardner 4/5
Betrayed by John D Mcdonald 5/5
Deep Sleep by Bruce Cassidy 3.5/5
The People of the peacock by Edward D Hoch 4.5/5
Dr Sweetkill by John Jakes 3/5
The Giggle-Wrecker by Peter O Donell 3/5
The spoilers by Michael Gilbert 3.5/5
Octopussy by Ian Fleming 3/5
Although i my opinion Octopussy doesn't really falls in the category of spy novels. There was as such no espionage done here.
I would definitely be looking forward to reading other works by these authors.
July 8, 2009
13 short novels spanning more than 500 pages. Most are OLD. Like pre-Cold War old, so if that is the type of espionage reading that keeps you awake on the beach then this is not the collection for you. Age is the only common factor however. The stories span about 100 years and take us to Japan, East Germany, Russia, France, England and America and include such icons as Sherlock Holmes and James Bond.
August 23, 2021
Though not every story made it clear, I'm pretty sure most of the spies in this collection were actually at least of average height.
Sorry.
Picked this up for Flemmings Octopussy, which was solid and NOTHING like the movie (Bond is barely in the story even and there's not even a hint of an evil circus), and enjoyed a few of the others particularly Charteris's Saint story "The Sizzling Saboteur" and Michael Gilberts well-paced The Spoilers.
Nothing super memorable here though.
Sorry.
Picked this up for Flemmings Octopussy, which was solid and NOTHING like the movie (Bond is barely in the story even and there's not even a hint of an evil circus), and enjoyed a few of the others particularly Charteris's Saint story "The Sizzling Saboteur" and Michael Gilberts well-paced The Spoilers.
Nothing super memorable here though.
July 20, 2023
This was a fun read, though I wouldn't put it in my "must read" section.
November 11, 2023
The first 4 stories start it strong. The middle 5 get silly --bad examples of the genre that outsiders would probably assume is typical. The last 3 redeem it.
May 19, 2011
Good mysteries and spy stories . Thoroughly enjoyed it.
April 7, 2013
Excellent... a selection that will wanting more of the ouevre of the featured authors
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