Assignment Palermo

Sam Durell #24

by Edward S. Aarons

They are the Fratelli della Notte, the Brotherhood of the Night, a Sicilian organization almost as powerful as the Mafia. Their reach has been as tremendous as their goals have been secretive. At least until now.

Genres: Fiction, Adventure, Action, Espionage

176 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

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 3 out of 5]

Most of the time, Edward Aarons writes for two readerships. The first is the regular audience of spy novel fans who enjoy the action of Cold War thrillers. But there is also another level of reader who can appreciate Aarons' constant allusions to ideas, people, movements, and descriptions from history, art, literature, geography, architecture, and philosophy. Aarons writes in such a way, however, that those uninterested in these things can gloss over them and go straight to the action and the worry of the plot. But if you're ready to pay attention, you'll see that Aarons does not just throw away these notions to produce some sort of fake erudite atmosphere. When he makes use of these ideas and descriptions, he uses them to subtly comment on the nature of the characters and the organizations they belong to, the beliefs they have in the modern world, and it also helps put in perspective the battles they fight in their contemporary world that often echo the motivations of those who lived centuries and even millennia before them.

With Assignment Palermo, Aarons makes constant use of that second level of reading. He sprinkles his writing with a separate level of commentary for those who wish to pay attention. And for the most part, it all pays off. In fact, Palermo when it begins seems that it will offer something up particularly special. It is Aarons' want to write in a linear fashion. Here, he seems to be experimenting a bit at first. He employs multiple perspectives and even touches upon elliptical storytelling. Alas, he seems to forget about that around half way through and goes back to his usual form.

That usual form isn't bad. But it does mean that Palermo ends up being an average Aarons novel. CIA agent Sam Durell tracks down an organization that seems to be mafia-like but is not the mafia. Along the way, treachery, betrayal, and jealousy play animating roles. And once more things end on a high note. Literally. Aarons also has a tendency to resolve his stories in high places: mountain tops, castles, tops of gorges. He does it again in Palermo. The action reaches an emotional peak just as the characters ascend a physical one. Always enjoyable.

[John Peel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to Sam Durell again, and another excellent thriller. Sam is trying to help an old friend from his childhood, as well as stopping a criminal organization which has become involved in sabotage. As always, well-written and entertaining. Thoroughly enjoyable.

[Scott Breslove · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not terrible, not great. Kinda anticlimactic at the end, but I’ve read worse.

[Toffolotty · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars because it's another Durell classic. Maybe not as thrilling as other books though, but the whole Napoli scenery is awesome.

[Rich · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book recently because I needed some comfort books--the kind that are familiar and easy to read for me--as I was dealing with my father's death. I also picked it because of it's connection to Italy. (I lived there two years and am a sucker for anything with an Italian connection.)

Aarons is decent writer. I liked the book, but kept noticing little pieces that said he'd done some book research on Italy, the language and culture, but had never really been there. (The grammatical errors drove me the craziest.)

As it was, I was able to put my brain neutral and just coast.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much more of a by the numbers book, with Durrell assigned to solve an issue coming out of a crime syndicate in Sicily. Wraps up with impressive abruptness.