Assignment Sorrento Siren

Sam Durell #17

by Edward S. Aarons

Ellen Armbridge is a CIA agent stationed in Geneva. She is also in love with a man named Jack Talbot. Talbot in turn is in love with Francesca, the Contessa d'Apollio. He also is suspected of stealing a set of ancient scrolls in order to sell them to Francesca's husband.

Genres: Espionage

159 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1963

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]

I am becoming angry with Sam Durell. How many times does it take before you learn you never leave your back unguarded with a door behind you. Shouldn't you learn that in spy school somewhere along Day One? Shouldn't common sense apply along the way? No matter. In all the Sam Durell books I've read, he must have suffered at least 20 or so concussions from being knocked on the head from behind, because he left his back to a door.

As for Assignment Sorrento Siren, it's one of Aarons' weaker efforts. The story lacks focus and meanders. Durell is more of a cop than a spy. And the setting in Italy is less exotic than it is blurry and confused. Oh, yes, and blundering Deirdre Padgett makes her way back into this story just in time to muck things up again.

[Benjamin Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid entry in the Sam Durell espionage series. A tight plot, a keen sense of the sights and sounds of real places (including Geneva, Rome, and a tiny island off the coast of Italy), as well as continually mounting suspense and intrigue all combine to make this one of my favorite books in the series so far.

The novel really shows Sam Durell’s text-book approach to spycraft. I don’t recall this so much in previous volumes, but this time there is a large role for his long-time girlfriend Deidre to play and the very idea of her being in danger cements Sam’s vow to never marry for fear of providing adversaries with leverage. Further, his by-the-book handling of the death of an operative and the evident turning of another agent lead Sam on an unwanted and unscheduled adventure and forced him to keep his emotions in check. There is a lot of fun spy adventure here in this novel and it certainly kept me turning the pages. I feel compelled to mention, however, that there is a rather graphic rape scene; it’s very appropriate to the plot and certainly leads the reader to heightened attitudes toward both victim and perpetrator. For me it made the stakes even larger.

I also enjoy this author’s portrayal of bad guys. They range from thugs to masterminds but they are seldom merely two dimensional. Looking forward to more books in this series.

[John Peel · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can never go wrong when you pick up any Sam Durell novel. This time, it's stolen artwork, dirty agents, Italian vendettas and Sam's girlfriend in trouble. Lots of action, plenty of plot twists and exotic locations, and so much to enjoy.

[W · Rating 1 out of 5]

One Sam Durrel book is more than enough for me,abandoned.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A violent spy novel, this is only my second novel in this series but I have enjoyed both. Durell is a capable CIA agent but not infallible, he makes mistakes. Also he isn't a superman, he is able to defend himself but he doesn't just easily beat everyone which makes the story more interesting.

Recommended, a well written spy novel.

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of boring, to be honest. Not much in the way of plot. Not much in the way of action, either.

[Ruth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cover by the wonderful Robert McGinnis who always managed to include something of the country's
/towns in which the story took place. In this case a lovely swathe of Italian drapery.