Fly Away, Jill

Mike Haller #2

by Max Byrd

First UK and Hardcover Edition. A near fine copy in a fine dust jacket. Dust soiling to the edges of the book's upper page block.

Genres: Crime

280 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

About the author

May Byrd is the author of a number of scholarly books on 18th century English literature, including Visits to Bedlam and London Transformed. Winner of the Shamus Award for best paperback private detective novel, his oeuvre of detective novels include the Book-of-the-Month Club selection Target of Opportunity. Byrd is also the author of four historical novels: Grant: A Novel, Jefferson: A Novel, Jackson: A Novel, and Shooting the Sun. He currently serves as the president of the board of the Squaw Valley Community of Writers.

Max Byrd has taught English at Yale and UC Davis, has been a visiting professor at Stanford, and has lectured at UC Berkeley, Warwick University, the Sorbonne, and Monticello. Among the many publications featuring Byrd’s articles and book reviews are the Yale Review, New York Times Book Review, New Republic, and Woodrow Wilson Quarterly. He has served as editor of the scholarly journal Eighteenth-Century Studies.

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fly Away, Jill by Max Byrd is the 2nd book in his detective trilogy featuring San Francisco PI Mike Haller. It's a different sort of mystery series; Haller falls somewhat into the hard-boiled detective category but at the same time has more to him than just a tough (and he is that), blunt fella. Haller is an ex-UPI reporter and someone who has spent time in Europe and seen quite a bit.

In this story, Haller is hired by Carlo Angeletti, a shady businessman, to find his daughter-in-law. He doesn't provide Haller with a whole heap of info on why she left but the money is good and while Haller suspects Angeletti's motives, something about the girl makes him want to find her and if necessary maybe protect her.

Haller's search for Caroline Angeletti, an English woman who moved to California and married Angeletti's son, will take Haller to New York and onward to London, Oxford and ultimately to Bordeaux France. His normal companions, partner Fred, and girl friend Dinah will be left behind and Haller will re-acquaint himself with a friend from his past, Magnus Harpe who will provide assistance in the investigation. Haller will also find himself involved with adversaries who are also looking for Caroline (very tough customers, in fact) and also with a couple of London detectives who don't want Haller sticking his oar into their own investigations.

The question to be answered is why does Angeletti want Haller to find Caroline? Did she take something that he needs or is it as simple as finding her for his son? The investigation delves into these questions but keeps coming up against obstacles and other questions, like is the drug trade somehow involved?

It's a fascinating investigation and we find out a lot about Haller's past life, which makes the story even more interesting. The characters are all well-crafted and the action is satisfying and the ultimate resolution also excellent. I'm sorry that Byrd only wrote 3 books in this series but that having been said I'm looking forward to reading the final book, Finders Weepers. (4 stars)

[Timo Tiilikainen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found out about this book by accident .
I read the other two Mike Haller books long time ago, last century . With the internet things are not so secret anymore .
Fly away Jill is from the early 80's before the internet or cell phone . An old school detective story : hard boiled and dark . It is also an edifying book with a lot of trivia from different walks of life .

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fly Away, Jill is a fast-paced, suspenseful read, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. Akin to a favorite crime show on TV, the writing is easy, the characters flawed, and the plot quickly moving toward the next cliffhanger. The chase from continent to continent after a runaway bride is wistful and imaginative, and the inner monologue of the detective Mike Haller endears him to the reader. Picking this book up out of the blue, I am left curious about where Haller came from, and where he will go, after he finds his "Jill." I would certainly read another Mike Haller novel.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

A flawed protagonist, a good story, great prose. An old school private detective tale.

[Edward Ferrari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some inconsistencies that affect the pacing but liked the action on the continent, definitely will look for more by this author.