What do you think?
Rate this book
The Black Stiletto #3
Stars & Stripes
Its 1960. The Black Stiletto, in her civilian persona as Judy Cooper, volunteers to work for John F. Kennedys presidential campaign, only to become involved in a devious behind-the-scenes plot that could change the course of history. Is the mysterious Eastern European man she briefly dated associated with a Cuban/Soviet spy ring? Closer to home, the Stiletto must challenge dangerous tongs in Chinatown after befriending a teenage boy whose father was killed by the gangs. She soon discovers what a differentand very deadlyworld exists in lower Manhattan. In the present, Martin, the Stilettos son, must deal with his mothers worsening Alzheimers symptoms, his own mental health issues, and the dilemma of whether or not to reveal his familys secrets to the new woman in his life. Meanwhile, his daughter, Gina, continues to bring trouble to herself, exhibiting behavior that suggests she is closer in spirit to her grandmother than Martin would like. Every major character, past and present, experiences a turning point in this third chapter of the Black Stiletto series.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2013
6 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Raymond Benson
158 books306 followersRaymond Benson is the author of approximately 40 titles. Among his works are the critically-acclaimed and New York Times best-selling serial THE BLACK STILETTO, and he was also the third--and first American--continuation author of the official James Bond 007 novels. His latest novels are HOTEL DESTINY--A GHOST NOIR, BLUES IN THE DARK, IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT and THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 31, 2013
Book provided by the publisher.
Another enjoyable addition to the series
Another enjoyable addition to the series
June 7, 2020
Das dritte Jahr in Aktion ist für die BLACK STILETTO, auch Judy Cooper genannt, alles andere als einfach. Zum einen legt sie sich mit den Tongs – einer Art chinesischer Untermafia – in Chinatown an, und zum anderen schneit ihr noch John F. Kennedy ins Superheldenleben.
Auch ihr Sohn Martin hat in der Jetztzeit schwer mit dem Erbe seiner Mutter zu kämpfen. Diesmal handelt es sich nicht um jemanden der Judy Cooper/Talbot umbringen will, oder um jemanden der versucht die Familie Talbot mit dem Doppelleben von Martins Mutter zu erpressen. Die Bedrohung kommt aus Martin selbst, da er zunehmend Depressionen und Angstattacken entwickelt, weil ihn das Wissen um die geheime Identität der BLACK STILETTO schwer belastet.
Auch Maggie, Martins neue Freundin, vermutet hinter den Verletzungen von Judy Talbot mehr als nur Zufälle, und Gina – die Enkelin der BLACK STILETTO – entwickelt sich in einer Richtung, die der ihrer Großmutter sehr ähnlich ist.
„Stars and Stripes“ vertieft nicht nur den Hintergrund der ganzen Protagonisten, es beschleunigt auch das Tempo innerhalb der kompletten Erzählung über diese erste (und scheinbar auch einzige) Superheldin.
Judy lernt im Jahr 1960 was es bedeutet sich die Tong zum Feind zu machen und entwickelt im Laufe des Ganzen einen eigenen Kampfstil. Dies trägt auch dazu bei, dass die Martial-Arts-Szene zunehmen und auch wesentlich ausführlicher beschrieben werden als vorher.
Die Mutter-Sohn-Beziehung zwischen Judy und Martin intensiviert sich, was aber leider eher negativ ist, als dass es den beiden helfen würde. Auch wenn Judy von Alzheimer geplagt wird, so ist sie trotzdem noch klar genug im Kopf, und auch sowie so durch ihren Empathiesinn im Vorteil, um Martins emotionales Durcheinander zu bemerken.
Die zeitlichen Sprünge zwischen der jungen Judy Cooper und der alten Judy Talbot sind diesmal besonders hart. In einem Kapitel ist sie noch voller Leben und streift als BLACK STILETTO durch New York, im nächsten Kapitel liegt sie in der Jetztzeit im Krankenhaus und wird im künstlichen Koma gehalten. Das zeigt deutlich die Schrecken, welche Alzheimer den Menschen, und deren Familie, zufügt.
Nach wie vor zieht sich der Umstand des offenen Rassismus der damaligen Zeit wie ein roter Fanden durch die Geschichte. Judy macht keine Unterschiede zwischen den Hautfarben, sondern nur zwischen Gut und Böse.
Spannend ist die Geschichte definitiv und die Weiterentwicklung der Protagonisten ist sehr unterhaltsam geraten. Leider ist auch im dritten Band die Übersetzung sprachlich wieder nicht so mein Ding. Da redet man von „Gehst Du auf Arbeit?“ (oder so) und in einem Satz findet sich viermal hintereinander das Wort „würde“, um nur zwei Beispiele zu nennen. Das mag man nun als Nitpicking betrachten, aber solche Dinge fallen mir dann doch während der Lektüre negativ ins Auge.
Trotzdem ist „Stars and Stripes“ die Reise von Seite Eins bis Seite Dreihundertsiebenundsechzig wert. Zwei Abenteuer stehen noch aus, welche hoffentlich auch den Weg zum Luzifer Verlag finden werden.
Auch ihr Sohn Martin hat in der Jetztzeit schwer mit dem Erbe seiner Mutter zu kämpfen. Diesmal handelt es sich nicht um jemanden der Judy Cooper/Talbot umbringen will, oder um jemanden der versucht die Familie Talbot mit dem Doppelleben von Martins Mutter zu erpressen. Die Bedrohung kommt aus Martin selbst, da er zunehmend Depressionen und Angstattacken entwickelt, weil ihn das Wissen um die geheime Identität der BLACK STILETTO schwer belastet.
Auch Maggie, Martins neue Freundin, vermutet hinter den Verletzungen von Judy Talbot mehr als nur Zufälle, und Gina – die Enkelin der BLACK STILETTO – entwickelt sich in einer Richtung, die der ihrer Großmutter sehr ähnlich ist.
„Stars and Stripes“ vertieft nicht nur den Hintergrund der ganzen Protagonisten, es beschleunigt auch das Tempo innerhalb der kompletten Erzählung über diese erste (und scheinbar auch einzige) Superheldin.
Judy lernt im Jahr 1960 was es bedeutet sich die Tong zum Feind zu machen und entwickelt im Laufe des Ganzen einen eigenen Kampfstil. Dies trägt auch dazu bei, dass die Martial-Arts-Szene zunehmen und auch wesentlich ausführlicher beschrieben werden als vorher.
Die Mutter-Sohn-Beziehung zwischen Judy und Martin intensiviert sich, was aber leider eher negativ ist, als dass es den beiden helfen würde. Auch wenn Judy von Alzheimer geplagt wird, so ist sie trotzdem noch klar genug im Kopf, und auch sowie so durch ihren Empathiesinn im Vorteil, um Martins emotionales Durcheinander zu bemerken.
Die zeitlichen Sprünge zwischen der jungen Judy Cooper und der alten Judy Talbot sind diesmal besonders hart. In einem Kapitel ist sie noch voller Leben und streift als BLACK STILETTO durch New York, im nächsten Kapitel liegt sie in der Jetztzeit im Krankenhaus und wird im künstlichen Koma gehalten. Das zeigt deutlich die Schrecken, welche Alzheimer den Menschen, und deren Familie, zufügt.
Nach wie vor zieht sich der Umstand des offenen Rassismus der damaligen Zeit wie ein roter Fanden durch die Geschichte. Judy macht keine Unterschiede zwischen den Hautfarben, sondern nur zwischen Gut und Böse.
Spannend ist die Geschichte definitiv und die Weiterentwicklung der Protagonisten ist sehr unterhaltsam geraten. Leider ist auch im dritten Band die Übersetzung sprachlich wieder nicht so mein Ding. Da redet man von „Gehst Du auf Arbeit?“ (oder so) und in einem Satz findet sich viermal hintereinander das Wort „würde“, um nur zwei Beispiele zu nennen. Das mag man nun als Nitpicking betrachten, aber solche Dinge fallen mir dann doch während der Lektüre negativ ins Auge.
Trotzdem ist „Stars and Stripes“ die Reise von Seite Eins bis Seite Dreihundertsiebenundsechzig wert. Zwei Abenteuer stehen noch aus, welche hoffentlich auch den Weg zum Luzifer Verlag finden werden.
June 14, 2017
The third installment of the Black Stiletto series and it continues the story of Judy Cooper as told through her diaries given to her son Martin. Entertaining read.
January 11, 2023
Love this series. Will re-read. Lots of drama and suspense.
November 28, 2013
These books are addictive. When I finish one of these books, I am immediately looking around for the next fix; alas, what will suffice until the next in the series is available in audio? Perhaps I will check out the numerous other works by Raymond Benson.
Judy, the masked Black Stiletto, is in her early 20s in this book and her character continues to grow. I especially liked that the author showed Judy muddling through life, drinking too much, making poor decisions and getting her ass handed to her in a few fights. This made Judy very real; I want to be her when I grow up. China Town, NYC style, played a healthy role in this story. The Black Stiletto found herself caught up in some Chinese organized crime. Her attempts to do good end up getting not only her injured, but others too. For a while there, I was afraid the Black Stiletto had met her match.
Meanwhile, the every day Judy joins John Kennedy’s political campaign, making new friends, and dressing as a Kennedy Girl in uniforms designed by Mrs. Kennedy. Of course, you can’t have Kennedy without the perceived evil blight of Communism. Hence, politics plays a bit of a role in this tale. I felt this aspect was a teensy over-played, but overall, it did not reduce my enjoyment of the book. My only other mild criticism is that Martin Talbot is just on the edge of too whiny in this book. Granted, he is highly stressed and suffering from anxiety attacks, but I found myself wanting more of Judy Cooper and less of Martin.
My little sin, concerning these books, is that I like to give myself a day off and play Diablo III while listening to the exploits of the Black Stiletto. In this particular sinful episode, my female barbarian must have been channeling the Black Stiletto. Every time the Stiletto got her ass kicked, my character went down. When Stiletto was victorious, so was my barbarian.
Narration: As usual for this series, the narration was spot on for this book. I am glad the two main narrators have been able to carry over through all 3 books. We also had a few Asian, Austrian, and South American accents, which were done well.
Judy, the masked Black Stiletto, is in her early 20s in this book and her character continues to grow. I especially liked that the author showed Judy muddling through life, drinking too much, making poor decisions and getting her ass handed to her in a few fights. This made Judy very real; I want to be her when I grow up. China Town, NYC style, played a healthy role in this story. The Black Stiletto found herself caught up in some Chinese organized crime. Her attempts to do good end up getting not only her injured, but others too. For a while there, I was afraid the Black Stiletto had met her match.
Meanwhile, the every day Judy joins John Kennedy’s political campaign, making new friends, and dressing as a Kennedy Girl in uniforms designed by Mrs. Kennedy. Of course, you can’t have Kennedy without the perceived evil blight of Communism. Hence, politics plays a bit of a role in this tale. I felt this aspect was a teensy over-played, but overall, it did not reduce my enjoyment of the book. My only other mild criticism is that Martin Talbot is just on the edge of too whiny in this book. Granted, he is highly stressed and suffering from anxiety attacks, but I found myself wanting more of Judy Cooper and less of Martin.
My little sin, concerning these books, is that I like to give myself a day off and play Diablo III while listening to the exploits of the Black Stiletto. In this particular sinful episode, my female barbarian must have been channeling the Black Stiletto. Every time the Stiletto got her ass kicked, my character went down. When Stiletto was victorious, so was my barbarian.
Narration: As usual for this series, the narration was spot on for this book. I am glad the two main narrators have been able to carry over through all 3 books. We also had a few Asian, Austrian, and South American accents, which were done well.
January 7, 2019
A quick read. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first two books and don't think it is satisfying as a stand-alone book. Central characters and events from past books are mentioned in passing, but without enough detail to explain Judy's motivation for becoming the Black Stiletto. Her son's girlfriend hires a PI to explore Judy's past, which provided an opportunity to fill in some of these gaps. Instead, the PI has only scratched the surface when the book ends, so it felt like an unsatisfying teaser for the rest of the series. There was an interesting subplot involving the Judy's granddaughter, but that also felt cut short and teed up for the next book.
The Stiletto had two major plot lines that didn't really have anything to do with each other until an ending that felt contrived. She also made more reckless decisions than I remember in the first few books, and it wasn't clear why she quickly rejected the idea of sharing anonymous tips about her findings with the Secret Service. In the present, I also didn't understand why her son felt such tremendous anxiety about telling his girlfriend (who was also his mom's doctor) that she was the Stiletto. Considering how much tension the Stiletto's story contains, the small amount of drama created by his repetitive inner dialogue was unnecessary and tiresome.
The Stiletto had two major plot lines that didn't really have anything to do with each other until an ending that felt contrived. She also made more reckless decisions than I remember in the first few books, and it wasn't clear why she quickly rejected the idea of sharing anonymous tips about her findings with the Secret Service. In the present, I also didn't understand why her son felt such tremendous anxiety about telling his girlfriend (who was also his mom's doctor) that she was the Stiletto. Considering how much tension the Stiletto's story contains, the small amount of drama created by his repetitive inner dialogue was unnecessary and tiresome.
April 1, 2013
4 STARS
This is the third Black Stiletto novel. It keeps me rivited until I finshed reading.
Judy Cooper is the Black Stiletto's real name. Hardly anyone knows that she is her.
Judy volunteered for Kennedy's campagn and finds Russian Spys who want to kill Senator Kennedy.
She also gets involved with the chinese tongs in Chinatown. Police still want to arrest her at least most of them.
The novel starts with her son Martin and tells what is happening in his life with his mom in the care center, his daughter coping with being attacked in New York. Martin's ex-wife getting remarried. The drama of his life and inbetween his updates he is reading his mom's third diary book.
When reading Judy's diary it has the feeling that it is a real diary made in that time and place of the 60's. With all it's problems and good points.
The novel does a good job going from Martin's day to day life to Judy's diary and back again.
It's a lot of action,chases,fights and choices of good or bad.
I will continue to read the Black Stiletto books as they come out.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley.
04/02/2013 Publisher: Oceanview Publishing ISBN-10: 1608090728 325 pages
This is the third Black Stiletto novel. It keeps me rivited until I finshed reading.
Judy Cooper is the Black Stiletto's real name. Hardly anyone knows that she is her.
Judy volunteered for Kennedy's campagn and finds Russian Spys who want to kill Senator Kennedy.
She also gets involved with the chinese tongs in Chinatown. Police still want to arrest her at least most of them.
The novel starts with her son Martin and tells what is happening in his life with his mom in the care center, his daughter coping with being attacked in New York. Martin's ex-wife getting remarried. The drama of his life and inbetween his updates he is reading his mom's third diary book.
When reading Judy's diary it has the feeling that it is a real diary made in that time and place of the 60's. With all it's problems and good points.
The novel does a good job going from Martin's day to day life to Judy's diary and back again.
It's a lot of action,chases,fights and choices of good or bad.
I will continue to read the Black Stiletto books as they come out.
I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley.
04/02/2013 Publisher: Oceanview Publishing ISBN-10: 1608090728 325 pages
October 7, 2013
It was only after I had requested this book from netgalley that I realised it was part of a series. I was worried that I would not be able to follow the plot and that the story would make no sense to me.
I was wrong.
The Black Stiletto series is about Martin Cooper and how he deals with the revelation his mother was the Black Stiletto - a female vigilante in the 1950's/1960's.
This installment sees Martin wrestle with his conscience as he debates whether to tell his girlfriend Maggie about his mother's secret identity.
The story is exciting, the characters realistic - although I am not entirely sure Judy as the Black Stiletto is all that convincing, but if you suspend your disbelief you can enjoy the tales.
My biggest regret in regards to this book is that I have yet to read the first and second installment; again, it is easy enough to read this book without getting too lost, should you not have read the first two. However, there are characters in this book that felt quite secondary to me, but I knew little about them having not read the earlier books.
I would highly recommend reading the first two books and then moving onto this one. The series seems gripping and quite the page turner. Definitely worth your time.
Recommended.
5 stars *****
I was wrong.
The Black Stiletto series is about Martin Cooper and how he deals with the revelation his mother was the Black Stiletto - a female vigilante in the 1950's/1960's.
This installment sees Martin wrestle with his conscience as he debates whether to tell his girlfriend Maggie about his mother's secret identity.
The story is exciting, the characters realistic - although I am not entirely sure Judy as the Black Stiletto is all that convincing, but if you suspend your disbelief you can enjoy the tales.
My biggest regret in regards to this book is that I have yet to read the first and second installment; again, it is easy enough to read this book without getting too lost, should you not have read the first two. However, there are characters in this book that felt quite secondary to me, but I knew little about them having not read the earlier books.
I would highly recommend reading the first two books and then moving onto this one. The series seems gripping and quite the page turner. Definitely worth your time.
Recommended.
5 stars *****
May 7, 2015
The Black Stiletto:Stars & Stripes by Raymond Benson is book therein the Black Stiletto series. Benson weaves the story between the titular vigilante in the sixties to her son in the present. The story diligently weaves a well spun story that had me hungry for both sides! Benson sprinkles real historical events in his narrative to give the reader a significant frame of reference. The events of the past weigh heavily on the present that is what makes Benson a master storyteller. The audiobook version is voiced by many different actors doing a plethora of voices. This brings the story even further to life in essence making it a kin to a high level performance. I love how this series has obvious continuation points, but each book is a full complete story. The Black Stiletto: Stars & Stripes is a full five stars!
March 23, 2013
Book Review & Giveaway: We’re participating in the Kick Butt Characters Giveaway Hop, and I can’t think of a more appropriate character to include than the heroine of the Black Stiletto series! The Black Stiletto Stars & Stripes is Book #3 in this historical series by Raymond Benson, and mid-20th century super-gal Judy Cooper just keeps getting better. Library Journal compared this series to a mash-up of Gloria Steinem, Ian Fleming and Mario Puzo under Stan Lee’s editorship, and I couldn’t have said it better. No worries; Stars & Stripes can be read as a stand-alone novel quite easily, in case you missed Books #1 and #2. Want to win an advance readers copy? Go to http://popcornreads.com/?p=5634.
October 4, 2013
This was an entertaining addition to the series. Judy is a fun and lovable character who goes around trying to right all the injustice in the world. In this installment, she runs afoul of the Asian gangs and the Russian mafia all while trying to save JFK. And while it's sad to see her in present-day times as an elderly woman with memory problems, the ending of this book indicates Judy's spirit lives on - we just need to read the next book to find out how. My only complaint with this book is that it reads a little like a martial arts graphic novel where Judy thinks she's indestructible and takes on guns, snipers, knives, and assassins without ever getting too seriously hurt. While this makes the book totally unrealistic, it's still a lot of fun to read!
December 20, 2013
First one of the series that I read. Not my fault the edition is deliberately printed to obscure the fact that it is part of a series. Publishers want to sell books but to sell them under sort of false pretenses makes me a little angry. I got this from a library, but it still bugs me.
In any case the story is fairly stand-alone and not bad. It is an intermesh of two stories one told through a diary. The "modern" story is just ok, it has some tension that feels artificial. The other story is fine although the whole diary thing breaks down. (For example intricate fight sequences probably wouldn't be described in the kind of detail that the reader ends up with here.) But it was still a fun read. Be good on an airplane ride.
In any case the story is fairly stand-alone and not bad. It is an intermesh of two stories one told through a diary. The "modern" story is just ok, it has some tension that feels artificial. The other story is fine although the whole diary thing breaks down. (For example intricate fight sequences probably wouldn't be described in the kind of detail that the reader ends up with here.) But it was still a fun read. Be good on an airplane ride.
April 9, 2013
Five stars are awarded not because The Black Stiletto is great literature. Benson has simply created a fun and interesting character that deserves your attention when you want a faster, involving read.
What makes Benson's Black Stiletto so fascinating is the contrasting story lines and time periods. Judy Cooper's story as a lone vigilante, masked crime fighter from 50 years ago is told through her diary. The narration is by her only child, now an adult dealing with his mother's Alzheimer disease. Realistic issues contrasted against fantasy.
Strong female lead character in a non-romance novel that deals with contemporary issues in a fun, unique way. That's five stars all the way.
What makes Benson's Black Stiletto so fascinating is the contrasting story lines and time periods. Judy Cooper's story as a lone vigilante, masked crime fighter from 50 years ago is told through her diary. The narration is by her only child, now an adult dealing with his mother's Alzheimer disease. Realistic issues contrasted against fantasy.
Strong female lead character in a non-romance novel that deals with contemporary issues in a fun, unique way. That's five stars all the way.
January 17, 2015
Like the first two in the series, this is action packed, has a great plot, great twists and great writing.
The story of the Black Stiletto continues. Judy's health, in the present, continues to decline, to the point where she barely speaks. I thought this heightened the suspense, because Maritin has all these questions, which his mom can't answer, so he has to make his own journey through her story.
Gina, Martin's daughter, starts to play a bigger role, and I can see some foreshadowing.
A truely great book
The story of the Black Stiletto continues. Judy's health, in the present, continues to decline, to the point where she barely speaks. I thought this heightened the suspense, because Maritin has all these questions, which his mom can't answer, so he has to make his own journey through her story.
Gina, Martin's daughter, starts to play a bigger role, and I can see some foreshadowing.
A truely great book
Read
April 2, 2013Would you like to know more about the author? I have an interview w/Raymond Benson on my blog. Did you know he was the 4th official James Bond author. He was the most interesting author I've interviewed to date, want to see why-http://thereadingfrenzy.blogspot.com/...
October 10, 2016
I enjoyed this one just as much as the first two. I liked the connection to the presidential election of 1960. Since we are currently in presidential debate season now it was very believable. The stories have just enough suspense and good triumphing over evil in their time frame. I'll probably start book 4 very soon.
July 8, 2013
It's difficult to write about vigilanteism and maintain a fair moral balance but this book does the trick and manages, for the most part, to be fun.
http://opionator.wordpress.com/2013/0...
http://opionator.wordpress.com/2013/0...
March 16, 2014
Read this one
it was a fun read , mixes some real history with a little bit of a superhero mixed in,not your normal formula novel. it goes back and forth from the early sixties to the present but it's very clear and not confusing about where you are
,
it was a fun read , mixes some real history with a little bit of a superhero mixed in,not your normal formula novel. it goes back and forth from the early sixties to the present but it's very clear and not confusing about where you are
,
July 16, 2014
An enjoyable and quick read
An enjoyable and quick read
it's not earth shaking,but if there's another book to finish it off, will read it. if not, then it is ended well and we can figure out the rest ourselves. so, read the book, and come up with your own ideas.
An enjoyable and quick read
it's not earth shaking,but if there's another book to finish it off, will read it. if not, then it is ended well and we can figure out the rest ourselves. so, read the book, and come up with your own ideas.
January 23, 2015
Maybe the whole depression as character development thing doesn't work for me; I found this more of a chore to get through than the previous instalments. Also, the dragging out of plots now feels a little tired and slow.
December 12, 2012
A fun series! If you haven't read The Black Stiletto or The Black Stiletto: Black & White, read them first!
October 12, 2013
Very Good; Continuing character: The Black Stiletto; troubles in Chinatown face the Stiletto while her alter ego joins a group supporting the presidential bid of John Kennedy
May 11, 2014
THRILLING
And the suspense of Martin and his life moves along nicely. I really appreciate the end. I read this one in a weekend. Can hardly wait for the next one!
And the suspense of Martin and his life moves along nicely. I really appreciate the end. I read this one in a weekend. Can hardly wait for the next one!
September 14, 2014
Somehow I read #4 before this without realizing it. Didn't stop me from enjoying the book but I am a stickler for reading a series in order.
November 20, 2014
Great series.
If you like good cloak an dagger mysteries, you will truly enjoy this one. Can't wait for the next one.
If you like good cloak an dagger mysteries, you will truly enjoy this one. Can't wait for the next one.
December 30, 2014
This was a swift and fun read in this series.
March 28, 2015
This serious keeps me wanting to read the next immediately.
December 4, 2015
Cannot wait to start the next book! So much adventure and fun!
August 4, 2016
It's fun to read. The heroine is believable. I looked up some history to relate it to the story. Love this series!
April 7, 2017
Another solid installment
This has been such a consistently good series. I can't recall such distinctive voices in this type of fiction. More people really need to be aware of this series.
This has been such a consistently good series. I can't recall such distinctive voices in this type of fiction. More people really need to be aware of this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews