Assignment Ceylon

Sam Durell #36

by Edward S. Aarons

Fictional CIA agent Sam Durell is the protagonist for all of the stories in this series and so while the publisher listed this as the "Assignment series" it is well known as the "Sam Durell series." In later editions the publisher also used "Sam Durell" in the blurb immediately after the front cover - For example Assignment Ceylon has "This is number thirty-six of the famed Sam Durell novels-one of the bestselling suspense series in the history of publishing." One consistent element is that all of the story titles started with the word "Assignment." The stories were written over a span of 28 years from 1955 to 1983 with each more or less being set in present time at the time it was written. When initially issued the stories were not numbered and the publisher showed the list of available stories in the "Assignment" series in alphabetical order though often the alphabetical list did not include all of the previous stories. Later re-prints numbered the stories based the order in which they were first published though the list of stories just before the title page was still in alphabetical order. The list is shown in numbered/published order here. Each story is a standalone work and while they can be read in any order reading them in the order given here will provide some continuity as there are occasional references to people or incidents from previous assignments.

Genres: Thriller

208 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1973

About the author

AKA 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.

Reviews

[Paul Cornelius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had Edward Aarons written Assignment Ceylon in the 1950s, instead of the 1970s, I could easily imagine a film version with the likes of Richard Widmark, Clark Gable, Robert Mitchum, Glenn Ford, or perhaps John Wayne. For this is a pure adventure story. Spies appear as little more than ornamental dressing for this tale set in Sri Lanka and the Andaman Islands, amid ancient temples and palaces whose archeological treasures includes a fabled Buddha Stone, on which the Buddha himself inscribed his first teachings. At the center is Dr. Sinn, whose name becomes, yes, even more meaningful when he reveals himself to be a Satan worshipper who may either uncover or use the Stone's message to upend the practices and belief of people across Southeast Asia who have made Buddhism their way of life. Sinn is also the heir to the organization once run by Madame Hung, the renegade mercenary espionage agent who battled CIA agent Sam Durell in four previous books in the Assignment series. Also along for the ride once again is Cesar Skoll, the KGB agent who by this time is downright sympathetic. He and Durell, in fact, have come to trust each other maybe even more than their respective spy agencies. Their attitude says a lot about the growing cynicism towards government and its secret institutions in the 1970s.

The one thing these Sam Durell novels also usually provide is a rich exotic atmosphere. I've never been to Sri Lanka and know very little about the place. But Aarons lets you breathe its hot, humid air, sweat in its insect laden jungles and forests, and slip through its swamps and muddy ruins that reveal long lost fortresses and religious hideouts that pre-date Hinduism and Buddhism. All is lush, green and choking in vines and thick brush. Full moons yield silver lights on lakes and waterways, while they cast nighttime shadows suggestive of earlier spirits that may still haunt the environs. This is as rich as any adventure story you might encounter from the likes of Arthur O. Friel, Talbot Mundy, Hammond Innes, or even H. Rider Haggard. A really enjoyable novel.

[JoAnne · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very old, 1973, book. I guess I was jaded by the more recent "spy" novelists, Vince Flynn, Robert Ludlum, Brad Thor, etc. And the author died in 1975. The last 15 or so pages were the best.

[Alan Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good to see the covers of these titles. Thankfully, a number of them are on my man cave shelves.
Sam Durell. Good escapism at an early age.