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Killmaster #1
Run, Spy, Run
A novel behind the glamor-mask of international intelligence...pitting young Nick Carter against the world's most vicious spy and an archenemy, Mr Judas.
Paperback
First published February 1, 1964
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808 people want to read
About the author
Nick Carter
1,058 books46 followersNick Carter is a house pseudonym used by Award, Ace, and later Jove, publishing for the series Nick Carter who later graduated to a special agent for the Killmaster novels, a series of 261+ spy adventures published from 1964 until late 1990s.
A great number of writers have written under the pen-name over the years, beginning in September 1886 when Nick Carter first appeared in the 'New York Weekly' in a 13-week serial, entitled 'The Old Detective's Pupil; or, The Mysterious Crime of Madison Square'.
The Nick Carter character was originally conceived by Ormond G. Smith, the son of one of the founders of Street & Smith, and realized by John R. Coryell.
A great number of writers have written under the pen-name over the years, beginning in September 1886 when Nick Carter first appeared in the 'New York Weekly' in a 13-week serial, entitled 'The Old Detective's Pupil; or, The Mysterious Crime of Madison Square'.
The Nick Carter character was originally conceived by Ormond G. Smith, the son of one of the founders of Street & Smith, and realized by John R. Coryell.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 16, 2017
The book "Run, Spy, Run" was first published in February 1964 (Number A101F) by Award Books part of the Beacon-Signal division of Universal Publishing and Distributing Corporation.
Authorship has been attributed jointly to Michael Avallone and Valerie Moolman.
The story takes place in early September 1963. After relaxing following a successful mission in Jamaica, secret agent Nick Carter receives an anonymous letter asking that he return to New York City via a specific flight where the writer will contact him on the plane. On the flight Carter is contacted by stewardess Rita Jameson, who believes Carter to be a private investigator. Carter is asked to help solve the mystery surrounding a plane crash that killed Rita Jameson's pilot fiance and for which he has been named responsible.
This book also introduces an archenemy and an fellow spy. Mr Judas, the archenemy, will come back time and time again.
Authorship has been attributed jointly to Michael Avallone and Valerie Moolman.
The story takes place in early September 1963. After relaxing following a successful mission in Jamaica, secret agent Nick Carter receives an anonymous letter asking that he return to New York City via a specific flight where the writer will contact him on the plane. On the flight Carter is contacted by stewardess Rita Jameson, who believes Carter to be a private investigator. Carter is asked to help solve the mystery surrounding a plane crash that killed Rita Jameson's pilot fiance and for which he has been named responsible.
This book also introduces an archenemy and an fellow spy. Mr Judas, the archenemy, will come back time and time again.
September 24, 2020
I've said before that I like...even have a special place in my heart for the old "pulp men's adventure books". Back in the '60s and '70s they were a sort of publishing mainstay. When I was in the army (before and after also) I read them. Of late (over the last few years) I've been finding some of them and "rediscovering" the joys of those books.
This is the first of the Nick Carter books. The series was actually written by multiple writers over the years but the author was always left unnamed or said to be Nick Carter...cool huh????? Huh???
Yeah I know but it was a pretty good gimmick.
The books (Nick Carter books) were actually more overtly spy books than some of the other espionage series from the era. While having action it doesn't have near as much of that content of others (including Ian Fleming's works). I like them (as noted) and can recommend maybe you try it yourself.
This is the first of the Nick Carter books. The series was actually written by multiple writers over the years but the author was always left unnamed or said to be Nick Carter...cool huh????? Huh???
Yeah I know but it was a pretty good gimmick.
The books (Nick Carter books) were actually more overtly spy books than some of the other espionage series from the era. While having action it doesn't have near as much of that content of others (including Ian Fleming's works). I like them (as noted) and can recommend maybe you try it yourself.
June 9, 2021
Run Spy, Run, published in 1964, was the first of what would eventually become 261 books in this espionage series that ran from 1964 to 1990. The main character is AXE agent Nick Carter and the house name for the author is Nick Carter, but this are not necessarily first person narratives. Book one is credited to Michael Avallone and Valerie Moolman. Others in the series are credited to Robert Randisi, Manning Lee Stokes, Lionel White, William Rohde, Martin Cruz Smith, and WT Ballard, as well as a host of other names.
Like Bond, Carter is deadly with weapons and women. In fact, we are told that Carter does yoga to keep in shape and for his “great prowess in more amorous exercises.” The femme fatales here include stewardess Rita Jameson.
At least in this novel, he doesn’t have a toolbox of high tech gadgets, but he has named his favorite three weapons. He calls them his “trio of lifesavers,” “three delicately balanced instruments that were the great equalizers in the war of Spy versus Spy.” The first and most important was Wilhelmina, a nine-millimeter Luger, a spoil from the SS barracks in Munich. Wilhelmina was no ordinary Luger though. She was stripped to no more than barrel and frame, making her feather-light and easy storage. “Hugo was a killer of a different style but equal experience. Hugo was an Italian stileto, a lethal miracle fashioned in Milano.” It had a razor-thin ice pik blade and a bone handle no thicker than a heavy pencil. Finally, “Pierre was a ball no bigger than a marble,” but a specialist in death, filled with X-5 gas. Also, not to be forgotten, is a blue tattoos on his right forearm near the inside of the elbow, forever marking Carter as an AXE agent.
Featured prominently is the man with the steel hand, perhaps ushering in the era of Bond’s the man with the golden arm. Perhaps not.
Also featured prominently is cartoon-style ultra-violence with passengers screaming in mindless terror and lightning bolts leaping from the heavens to strike down a straggly line of passengers. He fires at a killing-machine of a body and keeps firing till “the thing in front of him lay riddled and bleeding.” And when someone is struck, they are “no longer a person but an outraged mass of pulpy flesh.”
Thus, the Carter books begin with over the top spy versus spy action, amorous meetings aplenty, and ultra-violence that equaled only Mike Hammer’s forays into darkened alleys. There are secret letters, meeting in Yankee stadium, and disguises hidden in lockers.
Where the book stumbles is plot-wise after a thrilling beginning and becomes a bit goofy and cartoonish in its adventures. But, given that there were 260 sequels to this first book in the Nick Carter series, never fear because there is much more to come.
Like Bond, Carter is deadly with weapons and women. In fact, we are told that Carter does yoga to keep in shape and for his “great prowess in more amorous exercises.” The femme fatales here include stewardess Rita Jameson.
At least in this novel, he doesn’t have a toolbox of high tech gadgets, but he has named his favorite three weapons. He calls them his “trio of lifesavers,” “three delicately balanced instruments that were the great equalizers in the war of Spy versus Spy.” The first and most important was Wilhelmina, a nine-millimeter Luger, a spoil from the SS barracks in Munich. Wilhelmina was no ordinary Luger though. She was stripped to no more than barrel and frame, making her feather-light and easy storage. “Hugo was a killer of a different style but equal experience. Hugo was an Italian stileto, a lethal miracle fashioned in Milano.” It had a razor-thin ice pik blade and a bone handle no thicker than a heavy pencil. Finally, “Pierre was a ball no bigger than a marble,” but a specialist in death, filled with X-5 gas. Also, not to be forgotten, is a blue tattoos on his right forearm near the inside of the elbow, forever marking Carter as an AXE agent.
Featured prominently is the man with the steel hand, perhaps ushering in the era of Bond’s the man with the golden arm. Perhaps not.
Also featured prominently is cartoon-style ultra-violence with passengers screaming in mindless terror and lightning bolts leaping from the heavens to strike down a straggly line of passengers. He fires at a killing-machine of a body and keeps firing till “the thing in front of him lay riddled and bleeding.” And when someone is struck, they are “no longer a person but an outraged mass of pulpy flesh.”
Thus, the Carter books begin with over the top spy versus spy action, amorous meetings aplenty, and ultra-violence that equaled only Mike Hammer’s forays into darkened alleys. There are secret letters, meeting in Yankee stadium, and disguises hidden in lockers.
Where the book stumbles is plot-wise after a thrilling beginning and becomes a bit goofy and cartoonish in its adventures. But, given that there were 260 sequels to this first book in the Nick Carter series, never fear because there is much more to come.
February 23, 2023
Lekker voor wat het is
January 22, 2014
I am a sucker for anything that features a villain with a metal hand. From Dr No to Enter the Dragon and on through to Rolling Thunder, there is just some childish part of me that will forever find prosthetic hands to be nifty. The bad guy in this, the first of the incredibly successful Nick Carter series, has a wicked metal hand, and it is truly cool.
This is my first exposure to Nick Carter and I initially bought it because it was written by Michael Avallone, who I always enjoy. He does his typically solid job here and crafts an entertaining little thriller.
This is my first exposure to Nick Carter and I initially bought it because it was written by Michael Avallone, who I always enjoy. He does his typically solid job here and crafts an entertaining little thriller.
February 8, 2016
A nice rewrite of an old Pulp character. Recast more in the James Bond spy mode. Good quick men's adventure read. If you are looking for some fast paced action and adventure then this is a recommended read.
September 25, 2025
It is 1964 and American counterintelligence agent Nick Carter has two possibly-connected spy cases to investigate. First, a woman leaves a note for him saying she needs his help. Second, a series of airplane explosions has been picking off Western leaders and the boss at AXE thinks Red China may be responsible.
In this, the first installment of the Nick Carter Killmaster spy hero adult series, "Run, Spy, Run" (1964) sets up a lot of the hallmarks of the Bond-esque super spy that stay part of the Killmaster series going forward, churning out about 10 books a year from 1964 to 1990. His gun nicknamed Wilhelmina, his stiletto knife Hugo, his poison bomb Pierre. His yoga, his sixth sense for pending danger, his six foot four frame, his professional rapport with his boss Hawk, his unprofessional rapport with any woman around...
This is the very first episode of the Nick Carter Killmaster series and it was ghost-written by Michael Avallone and Valerie Moolman. It is included as a bonus novel with the 100th book in the series called "Dr. Death" so I'm reading "Run, Spy, Run" (1964) out of sequence. Nick Carter - the author - is a pseudonym used by several authors writing for the series for Award Books, with Nick Carter also being the name of the protagonist character, a superhero American James Bond-style agent. These stories have some adult content.
Verdict: As a single standalone spy adventure, "Run, Spy, Run" isn't good. It runs clunky at times, ultra-descriptive of mundane things at others, a boring plot, the pacing is a bit off, the characters unsurprisingly tropey, and I couldn't pay attention. When your mind drifts with every paragraph of a supposedly-adventurous action thriller, you know it is bad.
Jeff's Rating: 1 / 5 (Bad)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
In this, the first installment of the Nick Carter Killmaster spy hero adult series, "Run, Spy, Run" (1964) sets up a lot of the hallmarks of the Bond-esque super spy that stay part of the Killmaster series going forward, churning out about 10 books a year from 1964 to 1990. His gun nicknamed Wilhelmina, his stiletto knife Hugo, his poison bomb Pierre. His yoga, his sixth sense for pending danger, his six foot four frame, his professional rapport with his boss Hawk, his unprofessional rapport with any woman around...
This is the very first episode of the Nick Carter Killmaster series and it was ghost-written by Michael Avallone and Valerie Moolman. It is included as a bonus novel with the 100th book in the series called "Dr. Death" so I'm reading "Run, Spy, Run" (1964) out of sequence. Nick Carter - the author - is a pseudonym used by several authors writing for the series for Award Books, with Nick Carter also being the name of the protagonist character, a superhero American James Bond-style agent. These stories have some adult content.
Verdict: As a single standalone spy adventure, "Run, Spy, Run" isn't good. It runs clunky at times, ultra-descriptive of mundane things at others, a boring plot, the pacing is a bit off, the characters unsurprisingly tropey, and I couldn't pay attention. When your mind drifts with every paragraph of a supposedly-adventurous action thriller, you know it is bad.
Jeff's Rating: 1 / 5 (Bad)
movie rating if made into a movie: R
September 11, 2024
Secret agent Nick Carter of AXE investigates a series of assassinations that are meant to weaken anti-Communist regimes around the world. Thus begins the long running Killmaster series. Though Michael Avallone and Valerie Moolman are often both credited as the pseudonymous Nick Carter for this premiere outing, word on the Internet is that this is purely an Avallone production. He—and whoever else may have had a hand in developing this character—owes a lot to classic pulp heroes developed under the house name Kenneth Robeson: Doc Savage and The Avenger. Nick’s habit of naming his German Luger Wilhelmina and his Italian stiletto Hugo is reminiscent of Richard Benson’s trusty revolver/throwing knife combo of Mike and Ike. He also carries Pierre, a marble-sized gas pellet similar to gas weapons used by both Benson and Savage. Like Doc Savage, he follows a strict regimen of esoteric exercises to hone his body to the peak of physical perfection. Carter’s exercise of choice is yoga, which must have been more exotic in the 60s, since for today’s readers it is more likely to evoke images of soccer moms doing the Downward Facing Dog Posture than elite international agents preparing themselves for combat. This entertaining adventure, packed with tense face offs, introduces the villainous Mr. Judas and culminates with a harrowing finale in a torture chamber. In a series with 261 installments, there are bound to be plenty of clunkers, but it is off to a solid start.
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https://thericochetreviewer.blogspot.com
February 19, 2025
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
I'm finally going through my physical library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.
I'm only adding one book per author and I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
I'm finally going through my physical library owned book list, to add more older basic reviews. If I liked a book enough to keep then they are at the least a 3 star.
I'm only adding one book per author and I'm not going to re-read every book to be more accurate, not when I have 1000s of new to me authors to try (I can't say no to free books....)
First time read the author's work?: Yes
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
October 31, 2022
I’ve been seeking these books for a long time. As a teenager, I remember we used to travel down to Amanzimtoti once a year, and on the street where we always used to stay, there was a pharmacy that sold the Nick Carter books. Every year I would buy one to read while we were on holiday.
This was before I understood the concept of a Book Series, and I do not know which ones I’ve read and in what order, so it’s a real pleasure to find them in ebook format.
Lots of memories came flooding back. I think the series has stood the test of time for me. This first one came out in the 1960s, and in my 2022 mind, one thing that stands out is the treatment of women. As it typical of the genre, the protagonist has a female counterpart. One whom the author takes great pains to describe in intimate physical detail. She’s an amazing spy in her own right, but she’s still portrayed as only really being worth anything because she’s beautiful and good in bed.
I think in that respect, it’s a product of its time. And I think it reflects that time well, in that respect.
But it’s a great story, and I’m glad I found it. I hope I can find the next one in ebook format too, because sadly, my eyesight has become too bad to read anything off paper anymore.
This was before I understood the concept of a Book Series, and I do not know which ones I’ve read and in what order, so it’s a real pleasure to find them in ebook format.
Lots of memories came flooding back. I think the series has stood the test of time for me. This first one came out in the 1960s, and in my 2022 mind, one thing that stands out is the treatment of women. As it typical of the genre, the protagonist has a female counterpart. One whom the author takes great pains to describe in intimate physical detail. She’s an amazing spy in her own right, but she’s still portrayed as only really being worth anything because she’s beautiful and good in bed.
I think in that respect, it’s a product of its time. And I think it reflects that time well, in that respect.
But it’s a great story, and I’m glad I found it. I hope I can find the next one in ebook format too, because sadly, my eyesight has become too bad to read anything off paper anymore.
November 13, 2022
I found this entertaining enough. It just didn't grab me like a Matt Helm did. Maybe its just me. I will definitely read the next one just to see if they get better. Would I recommend this when there are so many other choices out there...? I wouldn't.
June 29, 2017
i like whit a spy action..including a woman stories
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2021
I hate that Nick Carter's weapons have names and that the names are used in the writing. I guess the story is to have a James Bond flair but the plot comes off a bit more like a fairy tale.
April 8, 2022
Very inspiring novel
November 21, 2016
Enpäs muistannutkaan, kuinka läheisesti Nick Carter alussa muistutti James Bondia. Kaikessa hupsuudessaan ihan viihdyttävä kirja.
April 20, 2017
Somewhere during the six-year hiatus of the James Bond films between Licence to Kill in 1989 and GoldenEye in 1995, Nick Carter "Killmaster" - easily the most visible James Bond inspired paperback series - was retired.
Unlike Bond however, Carter's retirement was permanent.
The result: not many have even heard of Nick Carter these days, let alone read any of the hundreds of volumes that haunt the back rooms of second hand book shops.
This first volume is slightly better than I expected.
The plot can be divided into thirds.
The first includes an exploding prosthestic hand and a chase sequence with horse drawn carriages and grenades. This part establishes a plot to replace American diplomats with Red Chinese sympathisers.
The second falls rather flat, with too much time spent on exhaustive detail about Nick's spy cover, and a romantic sub-plot with his current co-agent. This part ends with a repeat of the opening "exploding hand" setpiece, excepting that the conclusion is more positive.
The final third is as entertaining as the first, and includes a memorable and lurid meeting and torture scene with the Blofeld equivalent "Mr Judas". The climax of this part revolves entirely around a sort of low key Poker bluff between Nick Carter and the villain. While this is not exactly as climactic as a typical James Bond movie ending, I enjoyed the unexpected contrast of it.
I can only recommend this novel to curious James Bond fans and hardcore enthusiasts of the lost "Men's Adventure" paperback genre.
Unlike Bond however, Carter's retirement was permanent.
The result: not many have even heard of Nick Carter these days, let alone read any of the hundreds of volumes that haunt the back rooms of second hand book shops.
This first volume is slightly better than I expected.
The plot can be divided into thirds.
The first includes an exploding prosthestic hand and a chase sequence with horse drawn carriages and grenades. This part establishes a plot to replace American diplomats with Red Chinese sympathisers.
The second falls rather flat, with too much time spent on exhaustive detail about Nick's spy cover, and a romantic sub-plot with his current co-agent. This part ends with a repeat of the opening "exploding hand" setpiece, excepting that the conclusion is more positive.
The final third is as entertaining as the first, and includes a memorable and lurid meeting and torture scene with the Blofeld equivalent "Mr Judas". The climax of this part revolves entirely around a sort of low key Poker bluff between Nick Carter and the villain. While this is not exactly as climactic as a typical James Bond movie ending, I enjoyed the unexpected contrast of it.
I can only recommend this novel to curious James Bond fans and hardcore enthusiasts of the lost "Men's Adventure" paperback genre.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews