The Bang Bang Birds

Philip McAlpine #3

by Adam Diment

In The New York Times Book Review, Anthony Boucher called The Great Spy Race “one of the funniest of all anti-spy novels.” Now, in his third spy adventure starring Philip McAlpine of British Intelligence, Adam Diment has come through with another winner—sexier than its predecessors but just as hilarious.

Again McAlpine is blackmailed into an assignment that could mean his end, but this time he has two bosses—Quine the swine, as usual, and an equally obnoxious American general. Masquerading as a rich wastrel, Philip has one wild time after another in the Swedish branch of the remarkable international organization, the Aviary Clubs, where the best cuisine and the most sexually adept “birds” are always available.
It's a continuous round of drugs, danger, and dames—and one of Philip's most unusual adventures yet.

Genres: Fiction, Espionage

191 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 1968

About the author

Frederick Adam Diment (born 1943) is a spy novelist who published four novels between 1967 and 1971. All four are about the adventures of Philip McAlpine whom critic Anthony Boucher described as an agent who smokes hashish, leads a highly active sex life, kills vividly, uses (or even coins) the latest London slang and still seems a perfectly real (and even oddly likeable) young man rather than a reflected Bond image.

A film version of The Dolly Dolly Spy with David Hemmings playing McAlpine was scheduled to go into production but was never made.

Diment disappeared from public view after his last novel, adding to his cult figure status among fans of 1960s spy novels. According to The Observer, by 1975 Diment was living in Zurich, shunning publicity, and had no plans to write further novels. A publisher is attempting to re-issue his books via a crowdfunding scheme.

Reviews

[Tosh]

A great find at Alias Bookstore in Glendale (Atwater Village)

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Bang Bang Birds is the 3rd of 4 books in the Philip McAlpine spy series by British author Adam Diment. The Bang Bang Birds was initially published in 1968 and it is very much of it's time; free sex, drugs, rock 'n roll. Oh and lots of fun action.

McAlpine who works for British intelligence has been seconded to a CIA organization working out of New York. He's basically there to decode documents. So he's enjoying life, living with a free-spirited rich American girl and enjoying his salary, paid by the Americans. But the section chief, an American General, begins giving McAlpine tasks outside his mandate. First he's got to provide a stash of drugs to an American informant. The incident at the bar in a seedier area of New York, leaves a CIA agent injured.

However it does result in McAlpine being given another task. McAlpine complains but is told his boss back in England has agreed to the assignment. So we now find McAlpine pretending to be a rich American, heading off to Sweden to infiltrate the Aviary Club and get information the club has on file that is used to blackmail influential wealthy Americans. Oh yes, the Aviary Club is the Playboy Club on speed; sexy women willing to participate in any activity with the wealthy members, drugs free for the taking and excellent food by 5-star chefs.

McAlpine takes along his girl-friend, Marianne.. oh, she is pregnant with McAlpine's baby, to help with the fun and games. The story is all a bit over the top, but still an entertaining, action-filled spy adventure. McAlpine is quite likable; a bit cynical about his bosses in England and America, a bit of a coward (although he gets the job done in excellent fashion) and a free spirit (but with a bit of a conservative bend at times.... just at times). The story is light, easily readable and most enjoyable. Diment had quite a cult following and kind of disappeared off the map after the 4th book in the series (currently sitting on my bookshelf). A nice change of pace spy series. (3.5 stars)

[Graham Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a miss titled book- the bang Bang Birds have nothing to do with the plot or even the main character. The story raced to an illogical ending! Which turned me off reading anything else by the Author!

[Rosa · Rating 2 out of 5]

More disturbing than either of the two predecessors. Philip's contempt for women is ever more evident. On the plus side, it looks like fatherhood is in his future. I might read the last book just to find out how that turns out.
2.5 stars.

[Neil · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really silly shoot-em-up romp through the swinging 'sixties. By now, probably classified as an historical novel.