Assignment Karachi

Sam Durell #16

by Edward S. Aarons

The beautiful, and rich, Sarah Standish, is determined to travel to the mountains of Pakistan and nothing will stop her - not the men already killed, not the saboteur who keeps trying slowing the trip down, and not the attempts on her own life. Durell's job is to keep her alive.

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1962

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 4 out of 5]

One thing that bothers me after a while about these Sam Durell novels is that Sam is always leering at women. Watching their bosoms rise beneath the blouses, their hips, their legs. I realize it's part of the 1950s-1960s spy genre. But it gets tiresome. Yet, if you don't let those type passages bother you, then you've got another good adventure story with Assignment Karachi. Nothing needed saving, here, because this story began with a grand adventurous opening and never let up. From the heat and sand of the Indus to the remote and frozen mountains of the Karakorams, the pace is unrelenting. Much is stuffed into the plot: attempted assassinations, abductions, murders, ancient Greek treasure, a clash with the Chinese army. And all handled with a great deal of verisimilitude. Aarons has a gift for creating a sense of authenticity. Few authors can draw upon such a well of knowledge to flesh out their novels. Then, too, every now and then, Aarons manages to deliver a page or two of insightful melancholy, as when he observes a riot between Hindus and Muslims and remarks on the anonymity of death in a sea of millions of faces. He has his moments.

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 16th book in the “Assignment” series featuring intrepid Cold War-era CIA agent Sam Durrell is once again packed with adventure in exotic locations. This time his assignment is to watch over and keep safe a high-powered Fortune 500 executive named Sarah Standish as she undertakes a dangerous expedition to a remote mountainous location near the Chinese border.

Of course nothing is so simple and in fact the novel begins with Durrell just regaining consciousness after being waylaid by his Jeep driver on the shore of the Gulf of Oman. He must reconstruct how he got into such a predicament and then he is off to meet his companions for the journey. Ms. Standish and others are trying to verify the rumors of rich nickel deposits on the Mountain known as “S-5”. It is also rumored that Alexander the Great’s crown now rests in a cave on the mountain and thus competitors seek to hinder their journey.

I always enjoy the exotic locations these novels serve up. This time we not only get to visit Karachi but also Rawalpindi, Lake Mohsere, Istanbul, Mirandhabad and other places in Pakistan. Indeed much of the action of the final third of the novel takes place on the S-5 Mountain itself.

First published in 1962, this is another nice story of dangerous adventure, espionage, gun battles, fisticuffs, and romantic entanglements that I’ve come to expect from these novels.

[W]

Prior to this,I had read one Edward S.Aarons book featuring Sam Durrell and found it disappointing.

But this title caught my eye,as the action takes place in Pakistan.In the mountains,Karachi,Rawalpindi and Mohenjodaro.

Let's see how accurate the author's descriptions of 1960s Pakistan are and whether it looks as if he actually visited the country.

[Mandy J · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first came across the “Assignment“ series in the 80s, bought from a second hand book shop at Lakes Entrance whilst on holidays. I finished one, went back to the shop and bought another few. Always an exciting read. The Cold War, spies, treachery, murder, women and dubious double agents in exotic locations.
I do wonder about poor Diedre, being cheated on with every book. If only she knew. But I guess in the world of Sam Durell, what happens on assignment, stays on assignment.

[John Peel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah... Sam Durell is at it again - his assignment is to protect an American industrialist as she hunts for a lost nickel mine in the mountains of Pakistan. Of course, there's an enemy agent in the group, Chinese military on their trail and an inescapable trap in the mountains to face. All in a day's work - or death - for Sam. Great fun, as always.