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Columbo (Tor Series) #2
Columbo: The Helter Skelter Murders
The wife of a wealthy Los Angeles businessman is found murdered in her bed with her lover, with the words Helter Skelter painted in blood on the walls. Columbo, America's favorite TV detective, must ask himself whether the horror of the Manson himself is ordering a fresh new round of atrocities from his San Quentin prison cell?
To solve this case Columbo will have to face evil incarnate: the madman known simply as "Charlie."
To solve this case Columbo will have to face evil incarnate: the madman known simply as "Charlie."
303 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
6 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
William Harrington
51 books10 followersWilliam Harrington is mainly known as the author of Murder at the President’s Door, his specialty was mainly in detective stories. He was a lawyer from 1958 to 1976, an electoral adviser from 1962 to 1965 in Columbus, and finally an attorney from 1978 to 1980. His first novel The Justice Which, Which the Thief, published in 1963, received positive critics. It was a real case story about a couple of jewelry robberies in Ohio.
His other popular book was published in 1982, The English Lady, it is an espionage novel about Winston Churchill and her confidante spying on the Germans during the Second World War. Between 1993 and 1998, he wrote the Columbo series, inspired by the television series American Columbo. He Co-authored with Elliot Roosevelt on the investigations of Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the US president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Between 1963 and 2001, he has written over 20 interesting and captivating books.
His other popular book was published in 1982, The English Lady, it is an espionage novel about Winston Churchill and her confidante spying on the Germans during the Second World War. Between 1993 and 1998, he wrote the Columbo series, inspired by the television series American Columbo. He Co-authored with Elliot Roosevelt on the investigations of Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the US president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Between 1963 and 2001, he has written over 20 interesting and captivating books.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 30, 2020
I needed some Columbo fan fic in my quarantined life.
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September 27, 2021The front cover promises some historical fiction, placing Columbo at the center of the Tate-LaBianca investigation- and, while the book does that, the bulk of it is actually more interesting than that ridiculous premise.
After a first chapter which rewrites history to place Columbo at the Tate murder scene and, tastelessly, details the crime scene through the fictional eyes of Christopher Columbo. The book skips ahead to a modern day of 1995, and then actually gets good. From then on the book deals with the more interesting subject of “contemporary” Manson followers. The plot involves a store owner who, along with his mistress, kills his wife with a plan to frame his Secretary (a current follower of Charles Manson). While most of the LAPD is happy to pin the murder on the poor Mansonite, Columbo (who, remember, worked the original case) thinks something doesn’t quite add up. I’ve never seen an episode of Columbo, but I assume they work the same way this book does; where the tension isn’t so much whodunnit but rather will Columbo figure out whodunnit.
Overall it’s a fun read. It’s oddly horny in a way I didn’t expect, we are told how and where the clothes cling to the body of every female character, every time they enter a scene. There’s an impressively detailed subplot involving the store owner producing a series of increasingly prestigious Italian nudie films, in fact I’m pretty sure this novel spends more time talking about Italian exploitation films than Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood does. I couldn’t help but wonder why, if in this world, super detective Columbo worked on the Tate-LaBianca case, was it still as infamously botched as it was in the real world?
The book’s big scene, though not it’s best, is the one where Columbo talks to an imprisoned Charles Manson. The author capture Manson’s odd way of speaking (though I doubt he ever quoted Jesus Christ Superstar as much as he does here) and Manson even gives Columbo a nickname: Crisco.
After a first chapter which rewrites history to place Columbo at the Tate murder scene and, tastelessly, details the crime scene through the fictional eyes of Christopher Columbo. The book skips ahead to a modern day of 1995, and then actually gets good. From then on the book deals with the more interesting subject of “contemporary” Manson followers. The plot involves a store owner who, along with his mistress, kills his wife with a plan to frame his Secretary (a current follower of Charles Manson). While most of the LAPD is happy to pin the murder on the poor Mansonite, Columbo (who, remember, worked the original case) thinks something doesn’t quite add up. I’ve never seen an episode of Columbo, but I assume they work the same way this book does; where the tension isn’t so much whodunnit but rather will Columbo figure out whodunnit.
Overall it’s a fun read. It’s oddly horny in a way I didn’t expect, we are told how and where the clothes cling to the body of every female character, every time they enter a scene. There’s an impressively detailed subplot involving the store owner producing a series of increasingly prestigious Italian nudie films, in fact I’m pretty sure this novel spends more time talking about Italian exploitation films than Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood does. I couldn’t help but wonder why, if in this world, super detective Columbo worked on the Tate-LaBianca case, was it still as infamously botched as it was in the real world?
The book’s big scene, though not it’s best, is the one where Columbo talks to an imprisoned Charles Manson. The author capture Manson’s odd way of speaking (though I doubt he ever quoted Jesus Christ Superstar as much as he does here) and Manson even gives Columbo a nickname: Crisco.
July 16, 2025
Perfectly decent Columbo fan fic. While you don’t get Peter Falk’s amazing performance, the mannerisms and persistence is still there and the story is good.
If I have any problems with this series, it’s some of the choices by the author. Columbo has a drink with everyone he talks to. No one frowns, they “pull the corners of their mouth down.” And the reader will be treated to a description of the breasts of every woman mentioned in these books, along with their clothed or unclothed status.
But even still I tend to read these in one long gulp for the same reason I watched the shows: because I want to find out how Columbo will catch the murderer(s).
If I have any problems with this series, it’s some of the choices by the author. Columbo has a drink with everyone he talks to. No one frowns, they “pull the corners of their mouth down.” And the reader will be treated to a description of the breasts of every woman mentioned in these books, along with their clothed or unclothed status.
But even still I tend to read these in one long gulp for the same reason I watched the shows: because I want to find out how Columbo will catch the murderer(s).
May 17, 2020
A good Columbo mystery.
This one follows the formula that Columbo fans know and love. We see the murder tame place, then we see Columbo figure out what really happened.
This story uses the Sharon Tate murders as a plot point. An imprisoned Charles Manson even has a scene with Columbo.
This one follows the formula that Columbo fans know and love. We see the murder tame place, then we see Columbo figure out what really happened.
This story uses the Sharon Tate murders as a plot point. An imprisoned Charles Manson even has a scene with Columbo.
December 15, 2019
This would be of greatest interest to fans of the TV show. Otherwise, it is a good but not great story. It's not a mystery, because as with the show, we know who the perpetrator is from the start. The fum is in seeing how Columbo peels back the layers. It is impossible to read Columbo's lines without hearing Peter Falk's voice in your head.
July 15, 2020
Was a lot of fun, Mr Harrington captured the tv character perfectly. The case was interesting with the Charlie Manson connection, as loose as it was.
Highly recommended, of course the attraction of this book is just the remembrance of Peter Falk playing the Columbo character and this book makes you think of that constantly. Add an interesting murder and its a top notch read.
Highly recommended, of course the attraction of this book is just the remembrance of Peter Falk playing the Columbo character and this book makes you think of that constantly. Add an interesting murder and its a top notch read.
January 3, 2025
Over many months, nearly a year to be more accurate, Last year I watched the complete run of Columbo, while researching an article I wrote as an overview on the series I discovered this novel and the other 6 in the series. I also found about casebooks, and even a cookbook. I thought I would try tracking down these books and give them a try. They do not disappoint. It was almost like watching an episode, his mannerisms, his process, and even his favourite foods. This was the second of 6 I have read in the series. I cannot see any fan of the series not enjoying this book, and if the other 5 in the series are a good I am in for some great reads!
The description of this book states:
“The wife of a wealthy Los Angeles businessman is found murdered in her bed with her lover, with the words Helter Skelter painted in blood on the walls. Columbo, America's favorite TV detective, must ask himself whether the horror of the Manson himself is ordering a fresh new round of atrocities from his San Quentin prison cell?
To solve this case Columbo will have to face evil incarnate: the madman known simply as "Charlie."”
Another description is:
“When the wife of a wealthy Los Angeles department store owner and her lover are found murdered in bed, with the words Helter Skelter painted in blood on the walls, Columbo wonders if one of history's most infamous killers--Charles Manson--is ordering a new round of atrocities from his San Quentin prison cell.”
This story starts in an interesting way. In the typical Columbo manner we soon witness the murder and know who the perpetrators are and how they did it. From the beginning there is some obvious suspects, but Columbo knows that the easiest answer is not always the right answer. For example:
““In other words, it’s not as simple as it seems?”
“In my line of work,” said Columbo, “you’ve got to be careful about the easy and simple answers. Not many things are easy and simple. On the other hand, it’s foolish to overcomplicate. Y’ know? Sometimes the simple and obvious is the answer.”
Benjamin Willsberger smiled, whether knowingly or condescendingly, or both, would have been difficult to tell. “I said I wanted to talk to you. You said you wanted to talk to me. Suppose you tell me first what you wanted to ask me,” he said.”
Columbo also later states:
““I just wanted to show you what I mean when I say the case is not as simple as it looks,” said Columbo. “Believe me, sir, I lay awake nights, running the facts around in my head, trying to make sense of them.””
Watching Columbo pull all the threads and eliminate some suspects, raise more and more concerns about others, and finding other connections was just as fascinating as watching the show. The tie in to Charles Manson and Charles Girls was an intriguing use in the story. Also the look into those who knew Manson but were not part of the crew that night, mention of those who have drifted away, hangers on, late comers, and the die hards still devoted to Manson was fascinating.
While researching for the review of the first volume in this series I discovered that there were also 6 Columbo novels in the 1970; 2 new stores and 4 novelizations of episodes and also a collection called The Columbo Collection of 12 stories by William Link. These 6 novels came out overlapping with the 6 of the last 8 episodes of the TV Movie Special Era. And if this one had been filmed I believe it would have been one of a very popular episode.
A great read for fans of the series or Charles Manson buff’s and for those who just like a good mystery. I can easily recommend this book and series.
The description of this book states:
“The wife of a wealthy Los Angeles businessman is found murdered in her bed with her lover, with the words Helter Skelter painted in blood on the walls. Columbo, America's favorite TV detective, must ask himself whether the horror of the Manson himself is ordering a fresh new round of atrocities from his San Quentin prison cell?
To solve this case Columbo will have to face evil incarnate: the madman known simply as "Charlie."”
Another description is:
“When the wife of a wealthy Los Angeles department store owner and her lover are found murdered in bed, with the words Helter Skelter painted in blood on the walls, Columbo wonders if one of history's most infamous killers--Charles Manson--is ordering a new round of atrocities from his San Quentin prison cell.”
This story starts in an interesting way. In the typical Columbo manner we soon witness the murder and know who the perpetrators are and how they did it. From the beginning there is some obvious suspects, but Columbo knows that the easiest answer is not always the right answer. For example:
““In other words, it’s not as simple as it seems?”
“In my line of work,” said Columbo, “you’ve got to be careful about the easy and simple answers. Not many things are easy and simple. On the other hand, it’s foolish to overcomplicate. Y’ know? Sometimes the simple and obvious is the answer.”
Benjamin Willsberger smiled, whether knowingly or condescendingly, or both, would have been difficult to tell. “I said I wanted to talk to you. You said you wanted to talk to me. Suppose you tell me first what you wanted to ask me,” he said.”
Columbo also later states:
““I just wanted to show you what I mean when I say the case is not as simple as it looks,” said Columbo. “Believe me, sir, I lay awake nights, running the facts around in my head, trying to make sense of them.””
Watching Columbo pull all the threads and eliminate some suspects, raise more and more concerns about others, and finding other connections was just as fascinating as watching the show. The tie in to Charles Manson and Charles Girls was an intriguing use in the story. Also the look into those who knew Manson but were not part of the crew that night, mention of those who have drifted away, hangers on, late comers, and the die hards still devoted to Manson was fascinating.
While researching for the review of the first volume in this series I discovered that there were also 6 Columbo novels in the 1970; 2 new stores and 4 novelizations of episodes and also a collection called The Columbo Collection of 12 stories by William Link. These 6 novels came out overlapping with the 6 of the last 8 episodes of the TV Movie Special Era. And if this one had been filmed I believe it would have been one of a very popular episode.
A great read for fans of the series or Charles Manson buff’s and for those who just like a good mystery. I can easily recommend this book and series.
August 26, 2025
I'm a big Columbo fan...always loved Peter Falk's portrayal of his character, Columbo. I picked this up either at a library or thrift store sale, and the reason I say that, is this copy was an advanced uncorrected proof...which was interesting too. It was paperback and the pages weren't glued in very well...so they were contently breaking apart from the cover. So that was a little bit of a challenge, to not lose pages, or where I was when I sit the book down. A few misspellings, but when you are into the story...you don't always notice it.
The story started out with Columbo answering the call from August 9, 1969, in his earlier years as a detective. When the cops had got called in for the murders, that were later referred to as the Helter Skelter Murders. Then it skips ahead to August 9, 1994....with a similar killing, which the killers left clues like the one in 1969 and on the anniversary too. Columbo gets called in again, but now he is the lead Homicide detective. When he starts looking through the crime scene...you can just picture him...just like in the TV series. Shaking his head, having a half cigar, needing a match, needing a pencil. And of course, let's not forget his cue....Ah...just one more thing I wanted to ask!"
The two murders think they have thought of everything...that they will never get caught. But don't let Columbo's bumbling antics fool you! He has ALOT of questions!
I'm like one of the other reviewers, I don't remember Columbo having a "drink" every so often, with either the suspects or people he was questioning. (but that really didn't take away from his character) Also this particular one did describe in detail what the women in question was wearing at several different times throughout the book.
All in all...I still loved the continued saga of Columbo, solving yet another murder.
The story started out with Columbo answering the call from August 9, 1969, in his earlier years as a detective. When the cops had got called in for the murders, that were later referred to as the Helter Skelter Murders. Then it skips ahead to August 9, 1994....with a similar killing, which the killers left clues like the one in 1969 and on the anniversary too. Columbo gets called in again, but now he is the lead Homicide detective. When he starts looking through the crime scene...you can just picture him...just like in the TV series. Shaking his head, having a half cigar, needing a match, needing a pencil. And of course, let's not forget his cue....Ah...just one more thing I wanted to ask!"
The two murders think they have thought of everything...that they will never get caught. But don't let Columbo's bumbling antics fool you! He has ALOT of questions!
I'm like one of the other reviewers, I don't remember Columbo having a "drink" every so often, with either the suspects or people he was questioning. (but that really didn't take away from his character) Also this particular one did describe in detail what the women in question was wearing at several different times throughout the book.
All in all...I still loved the continued saga of Columbo, solving yet another murder.
April 23, 2021
Columbo is already such a well-defined character, so you'd have to be a pretty bad writer to mess up a Columbo mystery. William Harrington obviously did his homework, because the real authentic Columbo inhabits his work.
This is a very good mystery as far as it goes, which means it's more of a true crime book than a mystery. Being what it is, we see everything unfold and then watch Columbo put it all together in his own inimitable fashion.
The conceit for this series is that the crime Columbo investigates is, at least tangentially, related to another famous crime. In this case, some members of Charles Manson's "family" who weren't involved in the Tate-LaBianca murders become suspects in a copy-cat Helter Skelter murder. In this case, Harrington also did his research well, and creates a believable scenario for our favourite detective to muddle through.
Not great art, or literature. This is great mind-candy. Fun quick reading and highly recommended, especially if you have any fondness for the main character.
This is a very good mystery as far as it goes, which means it's more of a true crime book than a mystery. Being what it is, we see everything unfold and then watch Columbo put it all together in his own inimitable fashion.
The conceit for this series is that the crime Columbo investigates is, at least tangentially, related to another famous crime. In this case, some members of Charles Manson's "family" who weren't involved in the Tate-LaBianca murders become suspects in a copy-cat Helter Skelter murder. In this case, Harrington also did his research well, and creates a believable scenario for our favourite detective to muddle through.
Not great art, or literature. This is great mind-candy. Fun quick reading and highly recommended, especially if you have any fondness for the main character.
November 29, 2019
Dit verhaal bevat een link naar de gruwelijke moord op Tatum O'Neal door de Charles Manson sekte. Een zwarte bladzijde uit de geschiedenis van Hollywood.
3 moorden die op dezelfde wijze gepleegd worden met als hoofdverdachte een nooit opgepakt voormalig lid van de sekte. Columbo vertrouwt het niet en stuntelt op zijn vertrouwde wijze naar de juiste oplossing. Zoals gewoonlijk blijkt pas op het einde hoe geniaal hij weer was.
De historische context geen een extra waarheidsgehalte aan het verhaal. Doordat zoals altijd de lezer al van bij het begin op de hoogte is van de feiten is het vooral de psychologie van zowel Columbo als de andere medespelers die het verhaal boeiend maken.
Meer dan een dosis humor, de tegenstelling tussen de eenvoudige Columbo en de glitter van de beau-monde, prachtige beschrijvingen en flitsende dialogen maken dit boek weer een aanrader, net zoals de andere delen in de serie en, vanuit een andere optiek, de televsisieserie.
3 moorden die op dezelfde wijze gepleegd worden met als hoofdverdachte een nooit opgepakt voormalig lid van de sekte. Columbo vertrouwt het niet en stuntelt op zijn vertrouwde wijze naar de juiste oplossing. Zoals gewoonlijk blijkt pas op het einde hoe geniaal hij weer was.
De historische context geen een extra waarheidsgehalte aan het verhaal. Doordat zoals altijd de lezer al van bij het begin op de hoogte is van de feiten is het vooral de psychologie van zowel Columbo als de andere medespelers die het verhaal boeiend maken.
Meer dan een dosis humor, de tegenstelling tussen de eenvoudige Columbo en de glitter van de beau-monde, prachtige beschrijvingen en flitsende dialogen maken dit boek weer een aanrader, net zoals de andere delen in de serie en, vanuit een andere optiek, de televsisieserie.
February 5, 2022
First off this was misleading. It has nothing to do with the Helter Skelter Murders. It's title should be The Helter Skelter Murders COPY CAT if anything. The story started off good to me, but then fell off around the middle and never picked up.
September 6, 2023
do I think this was an objectively good book? no. was it insanely fun and 80s to read? yes!!!
nb i realize it is the columbo way to tell you who the culprits are from the get go… but when it comes to books, clearly there’s a reason agatha christie doesn’t do it
nb i realize it is the columbo way to tell you who the culprits are from the get go… but when it comes to books, clearly there’s a reason agatha christie doesn’t do it
May 12, 2018
It's probably a 3 star book on its own but I'm such a Columbo fanboy that I bumped it up to 4 stars.
February 14, 2021
Just one more thing...a great read. Loved it!
June 26, 2022
I love watching the old Columbo TV episodes and didn't realize there were books, also. This one involves one of the "Manson Family" suspected of a triple murder.
August 6, 2016
I forgot how much I love it when Columbo is walking away and turns and says something like, "Uh, sorry, something is bugging me so I just have one more question?" I don't remember him having a Mrs. Columbo on the TV series, but I like him referring to her.
Lost this book on my desk at work. :D
The book opens with Columbo arriving at the original Manson murder scene. Then the Khoury murder unfolds from the murderer's point of view and then Columbo shows up to investigate. There was no real mystery, from the beginning, you know who the murderer was. Columbo was the only character that I really liked and who wasn't just two dimensional.
Likes:
* Exclusive shop like Khoury's for the rich and famous
* Tie in to the famous Charles Manson murders
Dislikes:
With-reservations:
murder, infidelity, embezzlement
Lost this book on my desk at work. :D
The book opens with Columbo arriving at the original Manson murder scene. Then the Khoury murder unfolds from the murderer's point of view and then Columbo shows up to investigate. There was no real mystery, from the beginning, you know who the murderer was. Columbo was the only character that I really liked and who wasn't just two dimensional.
Likes:
* Exclusive shop like Khoury's for the rich and famous
* Tie in to the famous Charles Manson murders
Dislikes:
With-reservations:
murder, infidelity, embezzlement
July 29, 2022
I'm a huge Columbo fan, so I thought I'd give this a shot.
Here are some quick thoughts.
-How catch 'ems do work as well as whodunnits in written form.
-Harrington captured the voice of Columbo pretty well.
-The whole Manson subplot was ridiculous, and the meeting between Columbo and Manson was an utter letdown.
-The dust jacket promises 'As Terrifying as Silence of the Lambs'. Terrifying it was not.
-All in all, this reads as Columbo fanfiction. Not great fanfiction, but it light of there being no new Columbo adventures/cases available... I'll take it.
You can check out my full review on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-4GbuDp34os
Here are some quick thoughts.
-How catch 'ems do work as well as whodunnits in written form.
-Harrington captured the voice of Columbo pretty well.
-The whole Manson subplot was ridiculous, and the meeting between Columbo and Manson was an utter letdown.
-The dust jacket promises 'As Terrifying as Silence of the Lambs'. Terrifying it was not.
-All in all, this reads as Columbo fanfiction. Not great fanfiction, but it light of there being no new Columbo adventures/cases available... I'll take it.
You can check out my full review on YouTube: https://youtu.be/-4GbuDp34os
October 18, 2011
This was a pretty average Columbo story. It was decent, but not particularly interesting or suspenseful. A problem I have with the series is the author's need to have it tie in to some famous case. (Book 1 was JFK, this was Charles Manson, the next is Jimmy Hoffa.) It takes away the simplicity of Columbo's style. I also feel like he gives you a little too much insight into Columbo's thought process. Once of the great things about the TV series was that you just never knew what was rattling around in his brain. Good, not great.
July 30, 2011
A fun read for any long time fan of Columbo on television. More graphic and violent the any of his on screen cases to be sure,but you kind of have to assume that from the title. Let's be honest you can't write a book conected in any way to one of the most brutal crimes in American history and have it be PG rated. Despite these chanages from the screen presentation Harrington stil manages to capture and bring to life all the little quirks and conventions that have made Columbo one of the most iconic of American detectives.
March 16, 2013
I'm not a huge Columbo fan (not like my sister), but I do enjoy the TV shows, mostly because the mystery isn't who did it but rather how Columbo catches him. I'm not a big mystery fan and like being told upfront who did the deed.
This book is fast-paced and engaging. I read it quickly, and enjoyed the way it mirrors the television show. I thought the whole Manson family connection was tenuous at best, but overall I enjoyed it. I'd read more in this series.
This book is fast-paced and engaging. I read it quickly, and enjoyed the way it mirrors the television show. I thought the whole Manson family connection was tenuous at best, but overall I enjoyed it. I'd read more in this series.
July 23, 2019
Did ya'll know Columbo was one of the first officers at the scene of The Tate Murders???
This was a similar to the experience of watching an episode of COLUMBO, and almost as entertaining. It has added graphic detail and the author seemed pretty horny...
I was letdown by how the criminals were caught. They made it pretty easy for ol' Columbo who didn't really have to outsmart these pair of dumb dumb's. I prefer Columbo's entrapments to be more complex.
A decent time waster.
This was a similar to the experience of watching an episode of COLUMBO, and almost as entertaining. It has added graphic detail and the author seemed pretty horny...
I was letdown by how the criminals were caught. They made it pretty easy for ol' Columbo who didn't really have to outsmart these pair of dumb dumb's. I prefer Columbo's entrapments to be more complex.
A decent time waster.
October 18, 2012
This was the last in this series I had to read. I think it was,by far, the BEST. I loved how Columbo was able to stay so cool while talking with Charles Manson. Brrrrrr! Gives me the chills just thinking about it.
October 8, 2013
WONDERFUL mystery! Oh! Just one more thing...
September 16, 2015
an enjoyable quick read if you like the TV show.
October 11, 2024
It shouldn't work this well, but it handles the history a lot better than most and has a truly interesting "How catch em".
Read
October 15, 2008M Har
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