Assignment Star Stealers

Sam Durell #30

by Edward S. Aarons

Sam Durell sets a trap for a gang of hijackers with himself as bait

Genres: Espionage

Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 1970

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 2 out of 5]

A choppy, unworkable story makes Star Stealers one of Edward Aarons' less impressive works. It bogs itself down in three loosely connected plot lines. First, a rogue one-time Nazi scientist escapes to the desert and intercepts all the photographs and data from US, Russian, and Chinese satellites. (The title comes from CIA agent Sam Durell's contention that the proliferation of orbiting satellites has stolen the grandeur of the stars themselves.) Second, a corporate conspiracy involves sabotage and perhaps murder, with Durell's long ago admirer, Amanda, at the center of a battle over her dead husband's multinational conglomerate. Third, a fellow CIA agent, Olliver, seems to be succumbing to the temptations of excess living on his meagre governmental salary, making sure corruption ensues.

Not even Aarons' ability to create an alluring atmosphere out of the Moroccan desert and wilderness can save this book from its lack of focus. The various pieces seemed forced and haphazard. It's especially revealing when Aarons needs three separate chapters at the end to provide overly lengthy conclusions and solutions to the three plot lines. Really, a sort of mess.

[John Peel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam Durell is on the track of an organization that's managing to steal information from satellites and then selling it to anyone who'll pay. He's helped by a woman who had a crush on him when they were kids together... at least, he thinks he can trust her. After all, the villain they're after is her step-son...

Another terrific read, with lots of action and plot-twists. Aarons is one of the most consistently enjoyable writers in the spy field.