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Tony Hawkin #1
Montezuma's Revenge
"Your country needs you, Hawkin."
When the voice of authority calls, Tony Hawkin assumes there is a glitch. After all, why would the nation possibly require the services of a man who runs the gift shop in the FBI Building? But there's no mistake, and soon Tony finds himself in the middle of Mexico, pursued by a ruthless killer, and hot on the trail of a priceless work of art. He has to find the painting, determine its authenticity, and return it safely to Washington. There's only one problem: everybody wants this particular painting.
Now Tony must summon all his wits and courage to outsmart the forces of international espionage - tracking down the painting was easy, escaping the clutches of the KGB, the Mafia and the Mossad is more than he bargained for. And then there's the man, the one with a predeliction for guns and sharp knives. Suddenly all Tony can think of is the warm comfort of his shop in D.C., and the sound of small voices: "Hey, mister, how much for the chocolate handcuffs?"
Will he ever see those little faces again...
When the voice of authority calls, Tony Hawkin assumes there is a glitch. After all, why would the nation possibly require the services of a man who runs the gift shop in the FBI Building? But there's no mistake, and soon Tony finds himself in the middle of Mexico, pursued by a ruthless killer, and hot on the trail of a priceless work of art. He has to find the painting, determine its authenticity, and return it safely to Washington. There's only one problem: everybody wants this particular painting.
Now Tony must summon all his wits and courage to outsmart the forces of international espionage - tracking down the painting was easy, escaping the clutches of the KGB, the Mafia and the Mossad is more than he bargained for. And then there's the man, the one with a predeliction for guns and sharp knives. Suddenly all Tony can think of is the warm comfort of his shop in D.C., and the sound of small voices: "Hey, mister, how much for the chocolate handcuffs?"
Will he ever see those little faces again...
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1972
5 people are currently reading
69 people want to read
About the author
Harry Harrison
1,292 books1,043 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey) was an American science fiction author best known for his character the The Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966), the basis for the film Soylent Green (1973). He was also (with Brian W. Aldiss) co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey) was an American science fiction author best known for his character the The Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966), the basis for the film Soylent Green (1973). He was also (with Brian W. Aldiss) co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 8, 2022
Another instalment in my 'Read every Harry Harrison book' mission!
This one his second spy thriller (but written under his own name!). It's a fun romp through Mexico with central character not expecting his adventures but seizing them with gusto!
It was diverting and enjoyable, maybe a few too many agencies involved, but as always Harrison keeps you interested.
There is a second adventure for our unlikely hero, which I will read sooner or later!
This one his second spy thriller (but written under his own name!). It's a fun romp through Mexico with central character not expecting his adventures but seizing them with gusto!
It was diverting and enjoyable, maybe a few too many agencies involved, but as always Harrison keeps you interested.
There is a second adventure for our unlikely hero, which I will read sooner or later!
November 22, 2019
Somewhat madcap romp by Harrison. Tony Hawkins, a guy running a concessions stand at the FBI gets recruited (due to his BA in art history) to help identify and recover classic paintings down in Mexico from Nazis. As you might expect, things go badly, and international spy organizations get involved. This is pure zany aka Bill the Galactic Hero.
December 11, 2022
Although absolutely not SF this is a fun tale of a man who is reluctantly forced to drag himself away from his academic study to engage in a spot of espionage. I must say I found it quite amusing as throughout this mid life crisis of a plot he seems blissfully unaware of his incipient alcoholic tendencies. (If there’s no decent SF available I would usually choose the spy genre next).
June 6, 2018
Enjoyable read, although i didn't love the last 3 chapters it's still worthwhile.
July 11, 2021
Light, fun book from a while ago.
November 15, 2008
What a fun little romp this book is, about a museum gift shop manager turned unwilling FBI agent. Poor Tony Hawkin is a bumbling, terrible agent, in way over his head investigating WWII art crimes in early 70s Mexico.
July 25, 2014
Fast paced but near the end I was starting to roll my eyes wondering how many more "secret" agencies the author could write into the story.
November 23, 2014
1978 grade C
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews