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Mallory #1
The Baby Blue Rip-Off
Excellent Book
224 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
83 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Max Allan Collins
812 books1,327 followersReceived the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) in 2006.
He has also published under the name Patrick Culhane. He and his wife, Barbara Collins, have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name Barbara Allan.
Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black
Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリンズ
or マックス・アラン コリンズ
He has also published under the name Patrick Culhane. He and his wife, Barbara Collins, have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name Barbara Allan.
Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black
Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリンズ
or マックス・アラン コリンズ
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 14, 2023
"Baby Blue Rip Off" is the first in Collins' Mallory series. Rather than writing about a reformed hitman (Quarry) or a ex-mob guy (Nolan), the Mallory series focuses on someone who is more of an everyman rather than being a professional tough guy. Mallory is a Vietnam Vet, who tried some odd jobs in California and other places, and returned to Port City, Iowa, after his parents died. There, he takes the occasional college course on the GI Bill and publishes the occasional mystery novel. He is not a tough guy and gets the crap beat out of him while getting caught up in mysteries. It is a great series and told in a humorous vein.
In this volume (a quick-reading 160 pages to be precise), Mallory has been shacked up young, slender blond named Sally and "there wasn't a thing wrong with Sally that a new personality couldn't have cured." Indeed, "She was the sort of woman who uses her good looks as a form of blackmail when she's in a good mood, and for revenge when she's in a bad one." At Sally's urging, Mallory gets involved in being a "Meals on Wheels" volunteer, delivering to the elderly once a week. Mallory, being a young, longish-haired, guy was not totally sold in doing public service for the elderly, thinks: "God forbid I'd be asked in to chat with one of the tottering old relics. Who in hell wanted to watch the decaying creatures gumming their food, saliva and masticated glop dribbling all over their hairy-warted chins? Yuck." That is, until he meets them.
The plot centers around one fateful night when Mallory was making deliveries and sees a crew of people and two vehicles in front of an old woman's house and they just didn't seem right. Poking his nose into trouble is what makes a good story, but for Mallory it only gets him beat up and left unconscious along with the old woman's body and what was left of her worldly possessions. The Sheriff, who has a personal dislike for Mallory on account of his anti-war activities some years back, tells Mallory to stay out of it and let the professionals resolve the matter, but Mallory can't stay out of it and persons involved won't let him stay out of it.
What follows is a good mystery story with Mallory, being an ordinary guy, not Mike Hammer or the like, getting bounced around by tough guys and femme fatales on his way to solving a murder that the officials just can't get. The story is an easy, quick read- Shouldn't take more than a few hours- and is filled with humor.
Mallory seems like a decent guy even when he takes a trip down memory lane and gets re-involved with his high school sweetheart, the one who dumped him for the guy she is now married to. For Mallory, his return to Port City is a return to his roots. Many of the people he meets or interacts with were people he grew up with or were the parents of people he knew when he was a teenager.
It is highly recommended reading and should have appeal to quite a wide audience.
In this volume (a quick-reading 160 pages to be precise), Mallory has been shacked up young, slender blond named Sally and "there wasn't a thing wrong with Sally that a new personality couldn't have cured." Indeed, "She was the sort of woman who uses her good looks as a form of blackmail when she's in a good mood, and for revenge when she's in a bad one." At Sally's urging, Mallory gets involved in being a "Meals on Wheels" volunteer, delivering to the elderly once a week. Mallory, being a young, longish-haired, guy was not totally sold in doing public service for the elderly, thinks: "God forbid I'd be asked in to chat with one of the tottering old relics. Who in hell wanted to watch the decaying creatures gumming their food, saliva and masticated glop dribbling all over their hairy-warted chins? Yuck." That is, until he meets them.
The plot centers around one fateful night when Mallory was making deliveries and sees a crew of people and two vehicles in front of an old woman's house and they just didn't seem right. Poking his nose into trouble is what makes a good story, but for Mallory it only gets him beat up and left unconscious along with the old woman's body and what was left of her worldly possessions. The Sheriff, who has a personal dislike for Mallory on account of his anti-war activities some years back, tells Mallory to stay out of it and let the professionals resolve the matter, but Mallory can't stay out of it and persons involved won't let him stay out of it.
What follows is a good mystery story with Mallory, being an ordinary guy, not Mike Hammer or the like, getting bounced around by tough guys and femme fatales on his way to solving a murder that the officials just can't get. The story is an easy, quick read- Shouldn't take more than a few hours- and is filled with humor.
Mallory seems like a decent guy even when he takes a trip down memory lane and gets re-involved with his high school sweetheart, the one who dumped him for the guy she is now married to. For Mallory, his return to Port City is a return to his roots. Many of the people he meets or interacts with were people he grew up with or were the parents of people he knew when he was a teenager.
It is highly recommended reading and should have appeal to quite a wide audience.
March 25, 2016
3.5 stars
Quick, fun read from early in the career of Max Allan Collins.
Quick, fun read from early in the career of Max Allan Collins.
February 8, 2022
Another great Collins series.
I can't believe that I didn't know about this series. A fast read. Looking forward to more Mallory. Collins knows his Iowa locales.
I can't believe that I didn't know about this series. A fast read. Looking forward to more Mallory. Collins knows his Iowa locales.
March 13, 2020
Nice simple crime novel . . .
That ends up being rather complicated. Enjoyed it, like all of MAC’s books. Had read “Nice Weekend for a Murder” last year and it was interesting to compare the two Mallory books. I’ll definitely read the other three. The “Heller” novels are my favorites.
That ends up being rather complicated. Enjoyed it, like all of MAC’s books. Had read “Nice Weekend for a Murder” last year and it was interesting to compare the two Mallory books. I’ll definitely read the other three. The “Heller” novels are my favorites.
June 17, 2020
Great novel! I'm a huge fan of Max Allan Collins, but this is the first Mallory novel of his that I have read. Mallory is a mystery writer and all around good guy. He delivers hot meals to the elderly and shut ins once a week. When one of his clients is murdered, he investigates. Along the way he deals with thieves, cops, former girlfriends, and a piece of his past. I'm not going to spoil it, but there is a scene near the end that genuinely shocked me. It worked itself out before the end though. Another good one from Collins.
March 19, 2011
Mallory thought the job of delivering meals to elderly women would be boring. He'd taken it at the instigation of a now ex-girl friend. But he found himself enjoying the deliveries. It was only one day a week and he had only four homes to deliver the meals. He liked the stories the women told of earlier days and, as a writer, they made for invaluable story ideas. He changed the route each week so that on the last one, he could spend time visiting and talking.
He was coming up to the last house this week, Mrs. Jonsen, and knew something was wrong immediately. The home was lit up like a Christmas tree and a green van and a red GTO were parked in the yard. He goes sneaking up to see what was going on, only to be jumped by someone, Hulk-like, and then getting the crap kicked out of himself.
When he comes to, they are gone and he finds Mrs. Jonsen tied to a chair, beaten badly, and dead.
He calls the Sheriff, his best friend's father, a man who he doesn't get along with for the simple reason that his friend and he had joined the service together, went to Viet Nam together, but only Mallory had returned.
This robbery was the ninth in the last couple of months, but it was different. The others had not had anyone home, someone had died, and the place was not just robbed, but torn apart as if someone was looking for something.
The Sheriff warned Mallory to stay out of it. Mallory, of course didn't. The next night he was jumped at his home by the "Hulk" and another and told to leave it alone. The old woman's death had been an accident, but his wouldn't if he persisted.
Mallory didn't listen then either. He was mad. He'd liked Mrs. Jonsen and wasn't going to stop until he found her killers.
He was coming up to the last house this week, Mrs. Jonsen, and knew something was wrong immediately. The home was lit up like a Christmas tree and a green van and a red GTO were parked in the yard. He goes sneaking up to see what was going on, only to be jumped by someone, Hulk-like, and then getting the crap kicked out of himself.
When he comes to, they are gone and he finds Mrs. Jonsen tied to a chair, beaten badly, and dead.
He calls the Sheriff, his best friend's father, a man who he doesn't get along with for the simple reason that his friend and he had joined the service together, went to Viet Nam together, but only Mallory had returned.
This robbery was the ninth in the last couple of months, but it was different. The others had not had anyone home, someone had died, and the place was not just robbed, but torn apart as if someone was looking for something.
The Sheriff warned Mallory to stay out of it. Mallory, of course didn't. The next night he was jumped at his home by the "Hulk" and another and told to leave it alone. The old woman's death had been an accident, but his wouldn't if he persisted.
Mallory didn't listen then either. He was mad. He'd liked Mrs. Jonsen and wasn't going to stop until he found her killers.
October 23, 2014
A quick read, that was enjoyable. Mallory is an interesting character, but no Quarry. Still, it was fun & I'll look forward to other books about him.
Mallory isn't a real tough guy, but he's a pretty good guy trying to get along as best he can. When trouble finds him, he keeps worrying the problem until it works out. He tends to take a few lumps along the way. His attitude, while not quite as sarcastic as Quarry's, is still a lot of fun.
Mallory isn't a real tough guy, but he's a pretty good guy trying to get along as best he can. When trouble finds him, he keeps worrying the problem until it works out. He tends to take a few lumps along the way. His attitude, while not quite as sarcastic as Quarry's, is still a lot of fun.
February 22, 2021
This was a tightly woven little mystery with just enough twist and turn to keep it interesting. The author engages the reader with wit and humor. The best "little" mystery that I have read in while. The book is short but packs a big punch in entertainment value.
January 12, 2020
Nice guy mystery writer living in a trailer in Iowa gets mixed up with a gang of crooks who causes one of their elderly victims to die. Naturally, he helps solve the case. Somewhat improbably, despite his wise-ass style, everyone seems to like our hero, even when they pretend they don’t.
This is very light, but done well. Great for vacation when a quick read is required. 3.5 stars rounded up because it’s nice to be nice.
This is very light, but done well. Great for vacation when a quick read is required. 3.5 stars rounded up because it’s nice to be nice.
December 11, 2023
Very early novel from the prolific Max Allen Collins, featuring Vietnam-vet, hot meal delivery person, aspiring novelist Mallory who gets involved when one of his elderly hot meal recipients is killed in a robbery. Everything works out a little too neatly but I like the book just as I've liked almost everything Collins has written. 3 stars.
June 9, 2019
A fun fast paced noir crime drama. Collins is an expert at the pulp era thriller. Stripping a story down to the minimum to keep the story moving and keeping you interested from beginning to end. While not as deep as his Heller series. Still a fun afternoon.
January 26, 2023
Entertaining, lighthearted burglary mystery that’s not nearly as action-packed, bloody or sexually explicit as most other Collins fare. A little clunky in the dialog sometimes but perfect for a breezy quick read.
January 8, 2020
3 1/2 stars
January 31, 2020
3.5. An early work.
June 15, 2020
Another re-read. I love Mallory.
July 7, 2020
Meh. Quick, serviceable mystery but nothing special.
February 17, 2024
Max Allan Collins never disappoints.
Clever and engaging short mystery from the 80's with a satisfying and very fun payoff.
Clever and engaging short mystery from the 80's with a satisfying and very fun payoff.
December 13, 2024
I like short books but this almost was too fast and breezy, but still a lot of fun. It creates good characters and place. Mallory gets entangled in a scheme to rob old ladies. White enjoysnle
March 26, 2025
It reads more like an assignment for a writing class than an actual book.
November 30, 2025
easily forgettable pulp
Read
May 11, 2013Mallory was bored: ex-cop, Vietnam vet, struggling writer - and nothing was happening in his life now. So, reluctantly, he agrees when a girlfriend asks him to deliver meals to housebound, elderly women. It's something to do, after all, and as it turns out, his house calls turn into a pleasant surprise. The ladies find him charming and the stories they tell, their memories of the small Iowa town, are fascinating. Mallory discovers that he's having fun.
Then he discovers that one of his clients has been murdered and the fun ends ... with a sharp blow to Mallory's skull. Now he isn't bored, he's angry. So angry, that when the sheriff tells him to stay out of it, Mallory enters the fray with a vengeance!
His former junior high/high school girlfriend, Debbie, comes on to him saying her husband is a drunk and abusing here. She was using Mallory, because she, her husband and some other were the ones who committed the murder and robberies, using the senior meal delivery as a way of "casing" the homes of elderly people.
Lou Brown, the sheriff's deputy was also in on it; he was the inside man who was able to keep track of what the sheriff knew. Eventually the crooks were either killed or jailed, including the deputy.
Debbie turned state's evidence and she was not jailed. Mallory, however, never took up with her again.
Then he discovers that one of his clients has been murdered and the fun ends ... with a sharp blow to Mallory's skull. Now he isn't bored, he's angry. So angry, that when the sheriff tells him to stay out of it, Mallory enters the fray with a vengeance!
His former junior high/high school girlfriend, Debbie, comes on to him saying her husband is a drunk and abusing here. She was using Mallory, because she, her husband and some other were the ones who committed the murder and robberies, using the senior meal delivery as a way of "casing" the homes of elderly people.
Lou Brown, the sheriff's deputy was also in on it; he was the inside man who was able to keep track of what the sheriff knew. Eventually the crooks were either killed or jailed, including the deputy.
Debbie turned state's evidence and she was not jailed. Mallory, however, never took up with her again.
May 14, 2016
I have read many of the author's Nathan Heller detective novels and hoped to find another equally-engaging detective series. Detective/Detetective Writer Mallory is no Nathan Heller, however, and I was quite disappointed in The Baby Blue Rip-Off. No famous people, no well-known or infamous events and no strong lead characters. Just a run of the mill gum-shoe mixed up in a local robbery/murder with too many domestic overtones. Everything I love about the author's Nathan Heller stories is missing here. Back to the Nathan Heller stories I haven't read yet.
June 19, 2016
Mallory is an interesting character; a clever but flawed denizen of the Midwest who somehow manages to solve a mystery whilst getting in trouble ala William Tapply's Brady Coyne. He's almost as likeable as the curious Coyne as well. Anyway Collins as always tells an interesting story with clever, often humorous dialogue.
Enjoy this novel and series just like Mr. Collins' other excellent efforts.
Enjoy this novel and series just like Mr. Collins' other excellent efforts.
June 2, 2013
Max Allan Collins must write books faster than most people read them! He certainly has an impressive back list. His Mallory mysteries are well-crafted (I've read two of them now), and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the Mallory series. Collins has a way of slipping bits of subtle wit into his stories, and I like looking for them.
July 7, 2014
This book wasn't horrible but I did think the story was pretty lame and Mallory was mostly an idiot. I can't imagine that this is Book 1. That means there are more. Who in the world publishes these things?
February 25, 2019
Mallory seems to be Collins' Bernie, a nice change of pace
April 8, 2013
It's like a cozy mystery or episode of "Murder She Wrote" only with more bad language and violence. I'm not sure that's a winning formula.
January 26, 2014
Fun read by a great author
November 16, 2014
Certainly not a work of great fiction, but okay for commuting or an airport.
January 4, 2015
This was a super quick read, entertaining but super simple plot. It reminded me of the old radio shows before tv that they play on NPR on Sunday night's. It was a free loan from Amazon Prime.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews