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Nathan Heller #10
Majic Man
In 1949, UFO sightings in Roswell, New Mexico, and the fears of Secretary of Defense James Forrestal for his life provide a new case for Nathan Heller, president of Chicago's A-1 Detective Agency
293 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 1999
59 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Max Allan Collins
804 books1,321 followersReceived the Shamus Award, "The Eye" (Lifetime achievment award) in 2006.
He has also published under the name Patrick Culhane. He and his wife, Barbara Collins, have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name Barbara Allan.
Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black
Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリンズ
or マックス・アラン コリンズ
He has also published under the name Patrick Culhane. He and his wife, Barbara Collins, have written several books together. Some of them are published under the name Barbara Allan.
Book Awards
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1984) : True Detective
Shamus Awards Best Novel winner (1992) : Stolen Away
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1995) : Carnal Hours
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1997) : Damned in Paradise
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (1999) : Flying Blind: A Novel about Amelia Earhart
Shamus Awards Best Novel nominee (2002) : Angel in Black
Japanese: マックス・アラン・コリンズ
or マックス・アラン コリンズ
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 7, 2019
It's doubtless some form of confirmation bias, but I find I like these Nathan Heller books a lot more when I agree with MAC's conclusions.
In this case, I'm on the border.
Heller starts out working for Secretary of Defense James Forrestal, then segues over to Drew Pearson, who would probably be considered a talk show host today. Heller hies over to Roswell to investigate a certain crash...
Not bad, but because I'm not sure I agree with MAC's conclusions, I'm kind of on the borderline.
I guess you'll have to read it and decide for yourself.
In this case, I'm on the border.
Heller starts out working for Secretary of Defense James Forrestal, then segues over to Drew Pearson, who would probably be considered a talk show host today. Heller hies over to Roswell to investigate a certain crash...
Not bad, but because I'm not sure I agree with MAC's conclusions, I'm kind of on the borderline.
I guess you'll have to read it and decide for yourself.
June 2, 2024
Shamus to the Stars Nate Heller is back and he's dealing with two connected historic cases. The first deals with the break-down and death of Secretary of Defense James Forrestal, who Heller met during his search for Amelia Earhardt. Initially Heller is hired by Forrestal to tail and convince his wife (a not terribly functional alcoholic) that she isn't being followed and that nobody is trying to kidnap their children or assassinate them. After Truman asks for Forrestal's resignation it pushes Forrestal, a man who already sees Reds behind every bush, to move in to his own paranoia. This ultimately leads in to Heller investigating the Roswell crash and possible government cover-up there.
Forrestal's death/suicide really is kind of a natural for Heller to investigate. Roswell...maybe a little less so. But Collins does his usual great job of making it interesting and following the various strands of conspiracy. While I don't necessarily agree with the conclusion that Heller finds (and who is to say the author does either) it's definitely interesting and honestly makes a fair bit of sense. And, at risk of spoilers, Collins works in Operation Paperclip in in a very good way, which is a huge plus in my book. And by interesting, I don't mean I approve. The only good Nazi is a dead Nazi.
This one also prompted me to start re-watching The X-Files. So that's a nice bonus.
Forrestal's death/suicide really is kind of a natural for Heller to investigate. Roswell...maybe a little less so. But Collins does his usual great job of making it interesting and following the various strands of conspiracy. While I don't necessarily agree with the conclusion that Heller finds (and who is to say the author does either) it's definitely interesting and honestly makes a fair bit of sense. And, at risk of spoilers, Collins works in Operation Paperclip in in a very good way, which is a huge plus in my book. And by interesting, I don't mean I approve. The only good Nazi is a dead Nazi.
This one also prompted me to start re-watching The X-Files. So that's a nice bonus.
December 30, 2018
Majic Man isn’t a book title with a spelling error. The “Majic” in Majic Man refers to a government abbreviation for a group known as the Majestic 12. In this Nathan Heller adventure, “Majestic 12” is a code name for twelve men in the higher echelons of the U.S. government who know the secret of what really happened at Roswell, NM. And, of course, one of those men was the Secretary of Defense (who had served as Undersecretary of the Navy during WWII), James V. Forrestal.
Nathan Heller undergoes two investigations on behalf of Forrestal: one when Heller suspects Josephine Forrestal, Forrestal’s wife, may have been crazy and another when Heller starts to wonder about James Forrestal’s sanity. In real-life, Forrestal underwent insulin-shock therapy as a way of dealing with his mental state and, just when he was starting to seem much better, allegedly committed suicide. In Majic Man, Max Allan Collins muddies the waters a little—both in the D. C. area and in the Roswell, New Mexico area.
What makes the mysteries surrounding this volume interesting is, as always, Collins’ inclusion of historical figures (often, but not always, with historical verbiage) alongside composite fictional characters. So, Forrestal, Harry S. Truman, muckrakers Drew Pearson and Jack Anderson, and the agent who finally got Capone join the ranks of the fictional characters in this novel.
The truth is that Majic Man didn’t work for me like Flying Blind did with Amelia Erhart, Neon Mirage did with Bugsy Siegel, and Better Dead did with the McCarthy Era. The books all take place during the middle of the 20th century, but it felt to me as if Majic Man was too formulaic in its approach. I liked a certain, semi-predictable twist, and I liked Heller’s eventual summary of the specific incident that took the headlines and still generates literature. Nevertheless, I never felt like Heller was on top of the investigation. He seemed more observer than investigator. I don’t know what I was looking for, but I was looking for more.
Nathan Heller undergoes two investigations on behalf of Forrestal: one when Heller suspects Josephine Forrestal, Forrestal’s wife, may have been crazy and another when Heller starts to wonder about James Forrestal’s sanity. In real-life, Forrestal underwent insulin-shock therapy as a way of dealing with his mental state and, just when he was starting to seem much better, allegedly committed suicide. In Majic Man, Max Allan Collins muddies the waters a little—both in the D. C. area and in the Roswell, New Mexico area.
What makes the mysteries surrounding this volume interesting is, as always, Collins’ inclusion of historical figures (often, but not always, with historical verbiage) alongside composite fictional characters. So, Forrestal, Harry S. Truman, muckrakers Drew Pearson and Jack Anderson, and the agent who finally got Capone join the ranks of the fictional characters in this novel.
The truth is that Majic Man didn’t work for me like Flying Blind did with Amelia Erhart, Neon Mirage did with Bugsy Siegel, and Better Dead did with the McCarthy Era. The books all take place during the middle of the 20th century, but it felt to me as if Majic Man was too formulaic in its approach. I liked a certain, semi-predictable twist, and I liked Heller’s eventual summary of the specific incident that took the headlines and still generates literature. Nevertheless, I never felt like Heller was on top of the investigation. He seemed more observer than investigator. I don’t know what I was looking for, but I was looking for more.
May 2, 2019
Not my favourite book in the Nathan Heller series - Nate is inserted into the Roswell flying saucer controversy of 1947
December 16, 2011
This is probably my favorite Max Allan Collins book to date, it's not that the others are bad, I just constantly kept reading this book, possibly because this book doesn't waste time with the mystery. Yes it's about Roswell and is a bit broader than his other books, which is saying something considering he's tackled Amelia Earheart, but Nate Heller comes off as more forceful, constantly moving forward. The book is shorter than other Heller novels so there's no time to waste on random characters like Heller's friends and lovers. Many people can pick up these books out of order, like I'm doing, and follow along so it's accessible to others. It's enjoyable, quick, and shows the Heller style.
January 7, 2019
This series came highly recommended to me by my brother. So, I had high expectations. I was a little disappointed.
What I got was a pretty neat private eye/government conspiracy story! The story itself was well-plotted and the MIckey Spillane type flavor obvious. If this had been published thirty years ago it would have classified as Men's Fiction in some bookstores. Sort of like some western novels were classified as "adult westerns" because of all of the gratuitous sex and violence.
Even though I liked the story, its historical setting, the plot, and even the resolution-- there were a few nagging things about the presentation that bothered me.
First, Heller has a trick, perhaps explained in earlier novels in this series, for trying to put people at ease when questioning them. He meets and questions dozens of people, but the author makes it seem almost like an important detail to show how Heller quickly puts them on a first name basis. Is that just so he didn't have to type "Mr. Heller" in the ensuing dialogues, or is it a trick for putting others at ease. Unclear to me, but by the end of the book-- the "just-call-me-Nate" routine got very, very old.
Second, Heller, like Bond, seems to have some sort of magic charm with the ladies. It seems that they all want to kiss, cuddle, or have sexual relations with him. While to an extent that helps to perpetuate the genre Collins is writing for-- it is difficult to believe that married women would claim to be in an "open marriage" in the late 1940's. That particular claim felt a bit like a rubber band stretched just a little too tightly for my taste. I'm not saying that it never happened-- just that Collins used it to advance his plotline and perpetuation of sex and violence.
Other than that-- Majic Man (yes, Magic is intentionally mispelled) is well written, carefully plotted, and Collins plants the clues that the reader could've pieced much of the plot together, or at least some key deceptions... And to add to that-- Collins takes the time to take the reader through a bibliography detailing his research-- as well as some other historical notes of interest-- even while declaring boldly that this is a work of fiction. I'll try more of the Heller novels, and while I enjoyed this, I was expecting better.
What I got was a pretty neat private eye/government conspiracy story! The story itself was well-plotted and the MIckey Spillane type flavor obvious. If this had been published thirty years ago it would have classified as Men's Fiction in some bookstores. Sort of like some western novels were classified as "adult westerns" because of all of the gratuitous sex and violence.
Even though I liked the story, its historical setting, the plot, and even the resolution-- there were a few nagging things about the presentation that bothered me.
First, Heller has a trick, perhaps explained in earlier novels in this series, for trying to put people at ease when questioning them. He meets and questions dozens of people, but the author makes it seem almost like an important detail to show how Heller quickly puts them on a first name basis. Is that just so he didn't have to type "Mr. Heller" in the ensuing dialogues, or is it a trick for putting others at ease. Unclear to me, but by the end of the book-- the "just-call-me-Nate" routine got very, very old.
Second, Heller, like Bond, seems to have some sort of magic charm with the ladies. It seems that they all want to kiss, cuddle, or have sexual relations with him. While to an extent that helps to perpetuate the genre Collins is writing for-- it is difficult to believe that married women would claim to be in an "open marriage" in the late 1940's. That particular claim felt a bit like a rubber band stretched just a little too tightly for my taste. I'm not saying that it never happened-- just that Collins used it to advance his plotline and perpetuation of sex and violence.
Other than that-- Majic Man (yes, Magic is intentionally mispelled) is well written, carefully plotted, and Collins plants the clues that the reader could've pieced much of the plot together, or at least some key deceptions... And to add to that-- Collins takes the time to take the reader through a bibliography detailing his research-- as well as some other historical notes of interest-- even while declaring boldly that this is a work of fiction. I'll try more of the Heller novels, and while I enjoyed this, I was expecting better.
February 1, 2018
have to say straight off the bat that this is not my favourite nathan heller novel in the series so far.
it is a very good noir-style thriller as is the norm for this series, and the use of historical figures mixed in with the fictional ones does make an interesting read.
however i suspect that the reason i don't really like this as much is the main plot point relies on the roswell incident and majestic 12 conspiracy theory, both ideas which do not really interest me that much. and indeed both used extensively in other fictional stories (both television and literature).
of more interest was the reveal of how much the government used and indeed needed the nazi scientists after WW2 to try and stay ahead of the russians in the technology race.
as the series is now heading into the 1950's that means McCarthy-ism, reds under the bed etc - so i expect that will play into some of the novels i haven't yet read.
Will be interesting to see how much more the heller series moves from noir-ish crime/detective stories into the spy/thriller genre which took over the cinema and oner media during the 1950's and into he 1960's.
it is a very good noir-style thriller as is the norm for this series, and the use of historical figures mixed in with the fictional ones does make an interesting read.
however i suspect that the reason i don't really like this as much is the main plot point relies on the roswell incident and majestic 12 conspiracy theory, both ideas which do not really interest me that much. and indeed both used extensively in other fictional stories (both television and literature).
of more interest was the reveal of how much the government used and indeed needed the nazi scientists after WW2 to try and stay ahead of the russians in the technology race.
as the series is now heading into the 1950's that means McCarthy-ism, reds under the bed etc - so i expect that will play into some of the novels i haven't yet read.
Will be interesting to see how much more the heller series moves from noir-ish crime/detective stories into the spy/thriller genre which took over the cinema and oner media during the 1950's and into he 1960's.
March 16, 2019
Interesting examinations of the Roswell events and how they might have influenced the downfall of James Forrestal.
Much of the Forrestal portion harps on long hours and constant overwork of the man in his obvious obsession of 'getting the job done.' Today such overachievers are recognized as working towards a breakdown as they have few distractions in their lives. Back in the late '40s and early '50s people had more interactions with each other and by reducing these events or limiting them they might be described as dedicated and looked up to but were even more prone to periods of depression and even stress related mental issues.
Added to this is the now common acceptance that Nazi and Japanese technicians were used to improve our military, develop our atomic programs past the Manhattan Project efforts and open our development of space technology. While the references here are dire, they follow the general outlook of the times. When you throw in more possible versions of the Roswell events you have a very complex story that stills ties all these threads together.
But overall this is one of the weakest stories in the Heller series to date.
Much of the Forrestal portion harps on long hours and constant overwork of the man in his obvious obsession of 'getting the job done.' Today such overachievers are recognized as working towards a breakdown as they have few distractions in their lives. Back in the late '40s and early '50s people had more interactions with each other and by reducing these events or limiting them they might be described as dedicated and looked up to but were even more prone to periods of depression and even stress related mental issues.
Added to this is the now common acceptance that Nazi and Japanese technicians were used to improve our military, develop our atomic programs past the Manhattan Project efforts and open our development of space technology. While the references here are dire, they follow the general outlook of the times. When you throw in more possible versions of the Roswell events you have a very complex story that stills ties all these threads together.
But overall this is one of the weakest stories in the Heller series to date.
October 1, 2017
Majical
This is a cracking Heller noir fiction based on the 'suicide' of James Forrestal and the Roswell UFO incident. The series may be uneven - in turns, brilliant and then messy and contrived, but this one is a jewel.
Nathan Heller is a Chicago detective who seems to get involved in ever major crime or event in the 1930's and 1940's - this time he rubs shoulders with Forrestal, Drew Pearson and even Harry S. Truman (the one OTT moment). His tangled relationships with Forrestal and Pearson lead Heller to investigate the Roswell incident, and the can of worms Heller unearths is unexpected, compelling and almost believable. There is the obligatory femme fatale, and for once, she makes a total fool out of our hero.
For those who have not read Heller, don't start here. Do the first 3 books - they establish the character and let you catch the tone of the wisecracking, tough guy genius at his best. Then progress through the numbers. Even the bad ones are pretty good stuff.
But this one is a stand out in the series.
This is a cracking Heller noir fiction based on the 'suicide' of James Forrestal and the Roswell UFO incident. The series may be uneven - in turns, brilliant and then messy and contrived, but this one is a jewel.
Nathan Heller is a Chicago detective who seems to get involved in ever major crime or event in the 1930's and 1940's - this time he rubs shoulders with Forrestal, Drew Pearson and even Harry S. Truman (the one OTT moment). His tangled relationships with Forrestal and Pearson lead Heller to investigate the Roswell incident, and the can of worms Heller unearths is unexpected, compelling and almost believable. There is the obligatory femme fatale, and for once, she makes a total fool out of our hero.
For those who have not read Heller, don't start here. Do the first 3 books - they establish the character and let you catch the tone of the wisecracking, tough guy genius at his best. Then progress through the numbers. Even the bad ones are pretty good stuff.
But this one is a stand out in the series.
March 30, 2018
Max Collins is a master at making his stories real by combining real people as the characters in his book, interacting with private detective Nathan "Nate" Heller. This time he took me on a wonderful ride with once Secretary of the Navy, and Secretary of State James V. Forrestal. I remembered his name from when the huge aircraft carrier USS Forrestal was launched in 1954. In addition to insights into the life of this public figure, the book also stars columnist Drew Pearson, and a host of characters from the alleged UFO site in Roswell, NM. As usual, Mr. Collins provides explanations for historic events that seem plausible, and weaves them into a tale that kept me engrossed through the whole book. I recommend starting at the beginning of the series "True Crime," and working your way chronologically through the massive library involving the charming and intelligent Mr. Heller. There is always an interesting "love interest," who is often a famous person from the past. I highly recommend this book.
March 19, 2020
Entertaining. I found this mid-rabbit hole, and decided "what the hell".
The rabbit hole started with a 1997 album by electronic artist Rapoon (the amazing but daunting "What Do You Suppose?") with a sample of conspiracy theorist William Cooper's take on James Forrestal's suicide (spoiler: he thinks it's murder). Forrestal was the first US Secretary of Defense, and many conspiracy theorists have been led to believe he was "silenced" for what he knew about aliens, Roswell, etc. etc.
This book does a great job of being a readable yarn about these conspiratorial events, even if the narrator (and reader) is skeptical, throughout. Also, the narrator gets to eat lobster with Truman, something you just can't really imagine until you're there.
The rabbit hole started with a 1997 album by electronic artist Rapoon (the amazing but daunting "What Do You Suppose?") with a sample of conspiracy theorist William Cooper's take on James Forrestal's suicide (spoiler: he thinks it's murder). Forrestal was the first US Secretary of Defense, and many conspiracy theorists have been led to believe he was "silenced" for what he knew about aliens, Roswell, etc. etc.
This book does a great job of being a readable yarn about these conspiratorial events, even if the narrator (and reader) is skeptical, throughout. Also, the narrator gets to eat lobster with Truman, something you just can't really imagine until you're there.
May 16, 2017
Very good Roswell story.
Very good Roswell story. Very good private detective story. Overall believable. The politicians, the military leaders, the radio reporters and columnists. All names I was familiar with. I think that was when I became slightly disillusioned with some of our politicians. The public parts are very much as I remember.
Very good Roswell story. Very good private detective story. Overall believable. The politicians, the military leaders, the radio reporters and columnists. All names I was familiar with. I think that was when I became slightly disillusioned with some of our politicians. The public parts are very much as I remember.
July 1, 2017
Cold War Thriller
Aliens on Roswell, a cover-up in the U.S. using war criminals in fighting the Red Scare all add up to a really good Nathan Heller mystery. A fun and entertaining read.
Aliens on Roswell, a cover-up in the U.S. using war criminals in fighting the Red Scare all add up to a really good Nathan Heller mystery. A fun and entertaining read.
December 3, 2020
#11 in the Nathan Heller series of historical mysteries. In this case he resolves the debate over the Roswell aliens. In the course of his investigation he interacts with James Forrestal & Harry Truman, among others.
October 4, 2023
Nate Heller is Roswell ,1949!
Great novel by Max Allan Collins. it has to do with UFOs, Roswell ,James forrestal. It keeps you interested all the way through and has a great ending. Highly recommended!!
Great novel by Max Allan Collins. it has to do with UFOs, Roswell ,James forrestal. It keeps you interested all the way through and has a great ending. Highly recommended!!
August 24, 2025
Another Excellent Nathan Heller Story
At first glance the items if Heller investigating UFOs at Roswell seems like an odd pairing but Collins pulls it off with ease. I highly recommend this book.
At first glance the items if Heller investigating UFOs at Roswell seems like an odd pairing but Collins pulls it off with ease. I highly recommend this book.
February 5, 2019
It is a bit long - you feel the ending was being delayed unnecessarily but the epilogue is worth waiting for.
December 12, 2019
You should NOT have to hunt so hard for a book esp. when you have set it to reading yet does not list!
Again Goodreads has issues for the acid reader!
Again Goodreads has issues for the acid reader!
September 18, 2020
One of my favorite Heller books, the take on Roswell and the still to this day confusing end of Forrestal's life is really well done here.
February 5, 2021
Another great Nathan Heller book.
October 1, 2024
Mr Collins places Nate Heller in the events surrounding the aftermath of the ufo crash in Roswell. Decent entry into the Heller series, even the worst is better than most books. Give it a read.
August 25, 2021
Looking forward to another intriguing historical detective adventure.
This one starts with a 1940 prologue, then jumps to 1949 with the same client (more or less.)
Surprise appearance by the biggest VIP positively characterized.
Flying saucer element woven in convincingly.
Don't make the mistake of googling for the personage at the beginning focus of the story, it will spoil the surprise.
I was becoming impatient with the lack of action when some of it was introduced later in the story.
... and more of another kind just happened to occur in tonight's reading.
Delayed fulfillment of heads-up...
Efficient summing up and concluding action. Looking forward to the next Heller.
This one starts with a 1940 prologue, then jumps to 1949 with the same client (more or less.)
Surprise appearance by the biggest VIP positively characterized.
Flying saucer element woven in convincingly.
Don't make the mistake of googling for the personage at the beginning focus of the story, it will spoil the surprise.
I was becoming impatient with the lack of action when some of it was introduced later in the story.
... and more of another kind just happened to occur in tonight's reading.
Delayed fulfillment of heads-up...
Efficient summing up and concluding action. Looking forward to the next Heller.
September 7, 2014
The biggest war ever was over. America had won and, maybe by doing so, finally emerged from years of economic privation. Harry Truman had been elected President and we had started forgetting about Nazis and concentrating on those Reds lurking under every cover and insinuating themselves into our government and our lives. And then there were stories about "little green men" and their flying machines.
Nate Heller, head of the A-1 Private Detective Agency, is trying to juggle two clients whose interests are not mutually exclusive. James Forrestal, Secretary of Defense, and Drew Pearson, that era's most successful exponent of investigative political journalism. For a number of reasons, these two hated each other and would likely have had to be separated if they ever occupied space in the same room.
Forrestal is on a downward spiral, accelerated by his paranoia. Pearson sees no reason to refrain from kicking him in the face, if it adds to his ratings. Without revealing too much of the plot, we follow Heller as he leaves D.C. for New Mexico trying to sift through the bombast and disinformation surrounding the Air Force's discovery and then denial of a flying saucer near Roswell.
Of course, if it is Nate Heller there will be beautiful women and descriptions of exotic locales. There will be a few deaths and threats to Nate's welfare. What makes this a four star, rather than a three star outing is Collins' neat job of research and weaving the disparate elements into a coherent story which bursts some bubbles about what the government might have wanted to hide from public eyes. A compelling and fast read.
Nate Heller, head of the A-1 Private Detective Agency, is trying to juggle two clients whose interests are not mutually exclusive. James Forrestal, Secretary of Defense, and Drew Pearson, that era's most successful exponent of investigative political journalism. For a number of reasons, these two hated each other and would likely have had to be separated if they ever occupied space in the same room.
Forrestal is on a downward spiral, accelerated by his paranoia. Pearson sees no reason to refrain from kicking him in the face, if it adds to his ratings. Without revealing too much of the plot, we follow Heller as he leaves D.C. for New Mexico trying to sift through the bombast and disinformation surrounding the Air Force's discovery and then denial of a flying saucer near Roswell.
Of course, if it is Nate Heller there will be beautiful women and descriptions of exotic locales. There will be a few deaths and threats to Nate's welfare. What makes this a four star, rather than a three star outing is Collins' neat job of research and weaving the disparate elements into a coherent story which bursts some bubbles about what the government might have wanted to hide from public eyes. A compelling and fast read.
July 13, 2016
In my opinion, Max Allan Collins owns the franchise for period-scene crime novels. He has written a goodly number of them starring Nate Heller, an ex Chigago cop turned gumshoe, a man who has a way of associating with criminals and politicians( yes, I know that I repeat myself) , movie stars and celebrities who need the services of a PI who can keep his mouth shut. Often these are real people, such as Amelia Ehrhart, Frank Nitti, and in the case of "TheMajic Man" Secretary of Defense James Forrestal and his newspaper nemesis, DrewPearson, sot of the Bill O'Reiley of the 1950's.
The"Majic" of the title involves the top secret affair which occurre at Troswell, NM-flying saucers, the truth , the cover up, the lies on Lise's piled deep. But don't get the idea that it is wierd sci-fi book. It is a detective story involving who is following Forrestal, who may be trying to kill hi or at least destroy his formidable reputation. Nate gets more involved than he would like with almost every departments of the govt. law enforcement after him.
The book was write in 1999, but is available on Amazon. One a a series of Heller novels, all are good, this one is very good. I recommend it for lovers of crime novels as something quite different.
Note: private eye has a eye for babes and follow where his eye leads..usually to their beds-or sofas or wherever is Convenient
The"Majic" of the title involves the top secret affair which occurre at Troswell, NM-flying saucers, the truth , the cover up, the lies on Lise's piled deep. But don't get the idea that it is wierd sci-fi book. It is a detective story involving who is following Forrestal, who may be trying to kill hi or at least destroy his formidable reputation. Nate gets more involved than he would like with almost every departments of the govt. law enforcement after him.
The book was write in 1999, but is available on Amazon. One a a series of Heller novels, all are good, this one is very good. I recommend it for lovers of crime novels as something quite different.
Note: private eye has a eye for babes and follow where his eye leads..usually to their beds-or sofas or wherever is Convenient
February 21, 2015
I had stepped away from this series for a bit, so it was a pleasant surprise to reconnect with Nathan Heller and this amazing historical fiction/crime collection, which spreads from the 1930s to the Kennedy assassination.
This time around, Heller is looking into the rumors of flying saucers and captured aliens at Roswell, NM.
As always, Collins starts with a number of facts and then spins a credible theory about what really might have happened. Through it all, Heller is his usual noire self.
He reconnects with Secretary of Defense James Forrestal, who in an earlier book sent him on a mission to find Amelia Earhart. It's 1949, the Red Menace is growing into a full-blown paranoia and Forrestal is convinced "they" are out to get him.
Along the way, Heller encounters Harry Truman, Jack Anderson, Drew Pearson and an amazing cast of characters from post World War Two and Roswell.
This one was so good, I think it is time to tackle the remaining two books in the series. (What can I say? I started with the Marilyn Monroe/JFK trilogy at the end of the series and then jumped back at the beginning. I am hoping by the time I finish, Collins will be back with another new post-JFK trilogy.)
This time around, Heller is looking into the rumors of flying saucers and captured aliens at Roswell, NM.
As always, Collins starts with a number of facts and then spins a credible theory about what really might have happened. Through it all, Heller is his usual noire self.
He reconnects with Secretary of Defense James Forrestal, who in an earlier book sent him on a mission to find Amelia Earhart. It's 1949, the Red Menace is growing into a full-blown paranoia and Forrestal is convinced "they" are out to get him.
Along the way, Heller encounters Harry Truman, Jack Anderson, Drew Pearson and an amazing cast of characters from post World War Two and Roswell.
This one was so good, I think it is time to tackle the remaining two books in the series. (What can I say? I started with the Marilyn Monroe/JFK trilogy at the end of the series and then jumped back at the beginning. I am hoping by the time I finish, Collins will be back with another new post-JFK trilogy.)
April 14, 2013
Having been involved with so many of the great crimes and cover ups of the 20th Century it should be no big surprise that Heller is sent to Roswell to discover the truth about the two year old rumors that a flying saucer crashed there. What he finds in this investigation is exactly what you would expect: murder, lies, and lusty women.
The Heller novels have been entertaining. Flying Blind (the Amelia Earhart case) Was the weakest so far. Majic Man is a much better story. It isn't altogether very interesting. It is entertaining though. I certainly enjoy Heller's "discovery" of the truth. It lines up with what I've always believed about the flying saucer craze myself. While the topic never has interested me I do remember the stories that my grandfather, an Air Force officer, told. While it is not the best Heller novel it is entertaining.
The Heller novels have been entertaining. Flying Blind (the Amelia Earhart case) Was the weakest so far. Majic Man is a much better story. It isn't altogether very interesting. It is entertaining though. I certainly enjoy Heller's "discovery" of the truth. It lines up with what I've always believed about the flying saucer craze myself. While the topic never has interested me I do remember the stories that my grandfather, an Air Force officer, told. While it is not the best Heller novel it is entertaining.
February 16, 2014
I like the "Nathan Heller" series. I have enjoyed all of the books so far, and I enjoyed this one, just not as much as some of the others. It is the story of the Roswell Incident, where the Air Force supposedly found a crashed UFO with alien bodies (and maybe even one live alien). He mixes it with the story of James Forrestal, the first Secretary of Defense, and his untimely death. Liked the overall story and liked his conclusions, but there were just parts of it that were "too far out there" for me to totally accept and carry me through the plot. Good book. Recommend it to those who like the genre. Just not one of the ones I liked best. :)
July 14, 2013
A most unusual mystery -- Nathan Heller solves a murder that doesn't even happen until 80% through the book. It's what happens before the murder that really matters -- but then, that probably almost always the case, isn't it? Of course, most murders don't involve government conspiracies, little gray men, Nazis, ghosts, vindictive journalists and multiple levels of disinformation.
My final take: Come for the Roswell hook, but stay for the illumination of the early days of the CIA and the dark years after WWII.
My final take: Come for the Roswell hook, but stay for the illumination of the early days of the CIA and the dark years after WWII.
March 21, 2009
The 4-star rating is a bit high, except that I really enjoyed the book. Professional critics no doubt will say that the book isn't that terrific, but I don't care.
The book deals with an investigator in the late 1940s investigating the crash of an airborn vehicle in the desert near Roswell, New Mexico. It's a fun book.
The book deals with an investigator in the late 1940s investigating the crash of an airborn vehicle in the desert near Roswell, New Mexico. It's a fun book.
August 23, 2012
I just grabbed this audio book off the library shelves when I needed something for a long weekend of driving. It's a detective story set in 1949....two years after the UFO sighting at Roswell NM. The author weaves in real people including Drew Pearson, the radio commentator. It's pretty well written. I learned a lot about the UFO sightings and did some research on Wikipedia as a result.
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