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Sam Durell #9
Assignment Helene
Book by Aarons, Edward S.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1959
35 people want to read
About the author
Edward S. Aarons
264 books17 followersAKA Paul Ayres, Edward Ronns.
Edward Sidney Aarons (September 11, 1916 - June 16, 1975) was an American writer, author of more than 80 novels from 1936 until 1962. One of these was under the pseudonym "Paul Ayres" (Dead Heat), and 30 were written using the name "Edward Ronns". He also wrote numerous articles for detective magazines such as Detective Story Magazine and Scarab.
Aarons was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and earned a degree in Literature and History from Columbia University. He worked at various jobs to put himself through college, including jobs as a newspaper reporter and fisherman. In 1933, he won a short story contest as a student. In World War II he was in the United States Coast Guard, joining after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He finished his duty in 1945, having obtained the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
Edward Sidney Aarons (September 11, 1916 - June 16, 1975) was an American writer, author of more than 80 novels from 1936 until 1962. One of these was under the pseudonym "Paul Ayres" (Dead Heat), and 30 were written using the name "Edward Ronns". He also wrote numerous articles for detective magazines such as Detective Story Magazine and Scarab.
Aarons was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and earned a degree in Literature and History from Columbia University. He worked at various jobs to put himself through college, including jobs as a newspaper reporter and fisherman. In 1933, he won a short story contest as a student. In World War II he was in the United States Coast Guard, joining after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. He finished his duty in 1945, having obtained the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 12, 2021
So it turns out that Assignment Helene was the first of Aarons' novels to be set in Southeast Asia. That is the reason why I started reading his work; I had looked at later titles that obviously had a connection with the region. But it is hard to tell in the first twelve books in the series. The first three are titled, Disaster, Treason, and Suicide. Then, the next nine use the names of the usually appealing and sometimes sinister women who oppose CIA agent Sam Durell on his mission to protect the US from spies, assassins, provocateurs. Only after that can you get a sense from the title where most of the stories take place. With this one, the name belongs to Helene, a Eurasian, part Javan and part Dutch who is working with rebels to overthrow a government more or less friendly to the United States.
Where is it set in Southeast Asia? No real place, actually. But from the geographic instructions, the only place this fictional island nation can be is Indonesia-governed Sulawesi. Otherwise, the characters exhibit Malay characteristics along with those of Dyak tribesmen, which Aarons calls Datuks. The island is also a former Dutch colony. That fits in as well. At any rate, Aarons does quite well with his jungle stories, especially those set in this particular part of the world. Nearly all have been enjoyable to read, and a few even managed to elevate into some serious ideas and character sketches. He almost achieves that in Helene. But not quite. Maybe the somewhat forced happy ending didn't help. But it's a Sam Durell story. Things usually come out alright in the end.
Where is it set in Southeast Asia? No real place, actually. But from the geographic instructions, the only place this fictional island nation can be is Indonesia-governed Sulawesi. Otherwise, the characters exhibit Malay characteristics along with those of Dyak tribesmen, which Aarons calls Datuks. The island is also a former Dutch colony. That fits in as well. At any rate, Aarons does quite well with his jungle stories, especially those set in this particular part of the world. Nearly all have been enjoyable to read, and a few even managed to elevate into some serious ideas and character sketches. He almost achieves that in Helene. But not quite. Maybe the somewhat forced happy ending didn't help. But it's a Sam Durell story. Things usually come out alright in the end.
November 3, 2022
Sam Durrell, the poor man's James Bond, except that Durrell pre-dates Bond. This is a weaker entry in the series as Durrell is sent to find who murdered the Ambassador to Salangap. The country is experiencing civil unrest and the Americans are not to take sides. Durrell quickly pushes that aside and solves his case. Too many long stretches of nothing interesting happening.
July 18, 2015
The ninth book in the Sam Durell spy series is more of a detective novel than a straight spy story. Sam Durrell is dispatched to the fictional Salangap, a new island republic in the China Sea. The US Consul at Salangap has been killed and there are three primary suspects. Solving this murder amidst the backdrop of somebody within the Consulate helping to smuggle arms to jungle rebels and gangsters form the plot of the novel.
This is another solid entry in this long series that runs for over 40 books (not counting another short set by Edward Aaron’s brother). I suppose that because it was written in 1959 and takes place in the Indo China region, the influences of the fledgling Vietnam conflict impact the story to some extent. But it’s not overbearing. Fundamentally, this is still a vehicle for Sam Durell to solve a mystery, impact international affairs and interact with sleaze balls, beautiful women, and figure out just who are the good guys and who are the bad apples.
If you enjoy vintage spy novels, the “Assignment” series is a good option.
This is another solid entry in this long series that runs for over 40 books (not counting another short set by Edward Aaron’s brother). I suppose that because it was written in 1959 and takes place in the Indo China region, the influences of the fledgling Vietnam conflict impact the story to some extent. But it’s not overbearing. Fundamentally, this is still a vehicle for Sam Durell to solve a mystery, impact international affairs and interact with sleaze balls, beautiful women, and figure out just who are the good guys and who are the bad apples.
If you enjoy vintage spy novels, the “Assignment” series is a good option.
September 13, 2022
Not the best Sam Durell book I’ve read but good just the same. There’s always action, intrigue and a girl and Sam always gets his guy. Think of him as a Cold War Jack Reacher.
I started reading Sam Durell “Assignment” books many years ago, getting them from a second hand book exchange, couldn’t get enough. I came into possession of about 12 of them a few years ago and started working my way through them in between other books. They have this lovely old book smell too :)
They are a great quick read, very addictive.
I started reading Sam Durell “Assignment” books many years ago, getting them from a second hand book exchange, couldn’t get enough. I came into possession of about 12 of them a few years ago and started working my way through them in between other books. They have this lovely old book smell too :)
They are a great quick read, very addictive.
June 29, 2022
Sam Durell is sent to a small island nation with two assignments: find out who killed the consul there, and discover who is supplying arms to the local rebels. Needless to say, it's not as simple as it sounds, and he's caught between several opposing sides while tracking down his suspects. As complex and entertaining as ever, and difficult to put down.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews