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Matt Helm #14
Matt Helm - The Intriguers
"That cold-blooded human spider spinning his lousy webs of intrigue...”
Matt Helm is on vacation in Mexico with nothing on his mind except fishing, when some joker tries to shoot him in the back. Naturally it was no accident. When secret agents get shot at, it never is. So Helm has to go back to work. At least there’s a bonus in the form of his boss’s beautiful daughter, a playmate in peril.
Matt Helm is on vacation in Mexico with nothing on his mind except fishing, when some joker tries to shoot him in the back. Naturally it was no accident. When secret agents get shot at, it never is. So Helm has to go back to work. At least there’s a bonus in the form of his boss’s beautiful daughter, a playmate in peril.
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1972
29 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Donald Hamilton
101 books107 followersDonald Hamilton was a U.S. writer of novels, short stories, and non-fiction about the outdoors. His novels consist mostly of paperback originals, principally spy fiction but also crime fiction and Westerns such as The Big Country. He is best known for his long-running Matt Helm series (1960-1993), which chronicles the adventures of an undercover counter-agent/assassin working for a secret American government agency.
Hamilton began his writing career in 1946, fiction magazines like Collier's Weekly and The Saturday Evening Post. His first novel Date With Darkness was published in 1947; over the next forty-six years he published a total of thirty-eight novels. Most of his early novels whether suspense, spy, and western published between 1954 and 1960, were typical paperback originals of the era: fast-moving tales in paperbacks with lurid covers. Several classic western movies, The Big Country and The Violent Men, were adapted from two of his western novels.
The Matt Helm series, published by Gold Medal Books, which began with Death of a Citizen in 1960 and ran for 27 books, ending in 1993 with The Damagers, was more substantial.
Helm, a wartime agent in a secret agency that specialized in the assassination of Nazis, is drawn back into a post-war world of espionage and assassination after fifteen years as a civilian. He narrates his adventures in a brisk, matter-of-fact tone with an occasional undertone of deadpan humor. He describes gunfights, knife fights, torture, and (off-stage) sexual conquests with a carefully maintained professional detachment, like a pathologist dictating an autopsy report or a police officer describing an investigation. Over the course of the series, this detachment comes to define Helm's character. He is a professional doing a job; the job is killing people.
Hamilton was a skilled outdoorsman and hunter who wrote non-fiction articles for outdoor magazines and published a book-length collection of them. For several years he lived on his own yacht, then relocated to Sweden where he resided until his death in 2006.
Hamilton began his writing career in 1946, fiction magazines like Collier's Weekly and The Saturday Evening Post. His first novel Date With Darkness was published in 1947; over the next forty-six years he published a total of thirty-eight novels. Most of his early novels whether suspense, spy, and western published between 1954 and 1960, were typical paperback originals of the era: fast-moving tales in paperbacks with lurid covers. Several classic western movies, The Big Country and The Violent Men, were adapted from two of his western novels.
The Matt Helm series, published by Gold Medal Books, which began with Death of a Citizen in 1960 and ran for 27 books, ending in 1993 with The Damagers, was more substantial.
Helm, a wartime agent in a secret agency that specialized in the assassination of Nazis, is drawn back into a post-war world of espionage and assassination after fifteen years as a civilian. He narrates his adventures in a brisk, matter-of-fact tone with an occasional undertone of deadpan humor. He describes gunfights, knife fights, torture, and (off-stage) sexual conquests with a carefully maintained professional detachment, like a pathologist dictating an autopsy report or a police officer describing an investigation. Over the course of the series, this detachment comes to define Helm's character. He is a professional doing a job; the job is killing people.
Hamilton was a skilled outdoorsman and hunter who wrote non-fiction articles for outdoor magazines and published a book-length collection of them. For several years he lived on his own yacht, then relocated to Sweden where he resided until his death in 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 2, 2019
This was a great listen as narrated by Stefan Rudnicki. I've enjoyed it several times as a paperback, too. Hamilton's theme in this book is our current feelings about death & he points it out through the interplay of Mac's daughter, Martha, & her dealings with the nasty Matt Helm & his associates.
There's a truly great speech by Lorna, another assassin, who gets tired of Martha's attitude.
“We are going to have to take a long hard look at the so-called sacredness of human life in the very near future, if the race is to survive. We are going to have to apply a little logic to the problem,
instead of continuing to wallow in the sentimental humanitarianism currently fashionable. ....”
...Lorna shrugged. “I’m not crazy, just realistic. The basic trouble with your generation, Miss Borden, is that you will not face the facts. Subconsciously you realize that you’re mostly superfluous-that the world would be much better off if only a fraction of you had been born-but you can’t bring yourself to admit it and face the logical consequences: that your lousy little lives are not particularly valuable, let alone sacred. There are too many of you. Anything that plentiful can’t be worth much, can it?”
There's more to it, but it always makes me think. Martha's role seems a little overdone at times until I talk to someone her age & realize that it isn't really.
Anyway, it was a great way to end the year. I have one more to go & I think that will be a great way to ring in the new year.
There's a truly great speech by Lorna, another assassin, who gets tired of Martha's attitude.
“We are going to have to take a long hard look at the so-called sacredness of human life in the very near future, if the race is to survive. We are going to have to apply a little logic to the problem,
instead of continuing to wallow in the sentimental humanitarianism currently fashionable. ....”
...Lorna shrugged. “I’m not crazy, just realistic. The basic trouble with your generation, Miss Borden, is that you will not face the facts. Subconsciously you realize that you’re mostly superfluous-that the world would be much better off if only a fraction of you had been born-but you can’t bring yourself to admit it and face the logical consequences: that your lousy little lives are not particularly valuable, let alone sacred. There are too many of you. Anything that plentiful can’t be worth much, can it?”
There's more to it, but it always makes me think. Martha's role seems a little overdone at times until I talk to someone her age & realize that it isn't really.
Anyway, it was a great way to end the year. I have one more to go & I think that will be a great way to ring in the new year.
December 21, 2021
All of the Matt Helm books I have read are great but this is the best yet. In an earlier review of this series I explained that I first read the Matt Helm books back when I was in the US Army 1966 to 1967. Paperbacks mostly, handed down from some other Brother and Sister soldiers. I was hooked on them. Didn’t get to read them all but I hope to finish them all before I go to see Saint Peter (Praying He let’s me in). That goes for Mickey Spillane’s, Robert B. Parker’s and John D. MacDonald’s too. Books that entertained us when there no TV or anything else to keep our mind off what was going on at that time and the things you were doing. Nostalgia for sure!
However, this one will make you wonder or guess that things haven’t changed much with what going on today(2021 and continuing now) with our Nation politically and really how something bad is happening. There’s some bad politicians and others out there wanting to make some big bucks at the expense of the people. We aren’t the same USA I grew up in. I just hope for a brighter future for the ones that follow. Not a socialist country or worse. No defunding the Police, CRT, WOKE (whatever that is). Especially the Federal government telling me what is good for you and me and how to think and do what we do. Mandatory vaccinations and so on. Sorry, if you don’t agree. Up to the People, especially Parents and how they raise their children. Nuff Said. You don’t like it, I don’t give a you know what.
However, this one will make you wonder or guess that things haven’t changed much with what going on today(2021 and continuing now) with our Nation politically and really how something bad is happening. There’s some bad politicians and others out there wanting to make some big bucks at the expense of the people. We aren’t the same USA I grew up in. I just hope for a brighter future for the ones that follow. Not a socialist country or worse. No defunding the Police, CRT, WOKE (whatever that is). Especially the Federal government telling me what is good for you and me and how to think and do what we do. Mandatory vaccinations and so on. Sorry, if you don’t agree. Up to the People, especially Parents and how they raise their children. Nuff Said. You don’t like it, I don’t give a you know what.
March 3, 2016
Another wonderful installment... weaves a compelling multi-layered story of deception and intrigue and the ending is superb..
May 14, 2018
Secret agent assassin Matt Helm has to aid his super secret boss 'Mac' who is in hiding due to not Russians or other international nasties plotting to take over or meddle in America's doings. This time the evil and plotting is coming from inside the federal government. Another spy organization in the deep bowels of Washington DC, led by Herbert Leonard, is trying to eradicate Helm's secret unit by murder and treachery. The plan is to assist in the taking over of all secret agencies to aid in the election of a crafty flag waving subtly fascistic politician called Senator Love. She wants to make America great again. Oh, boy. This was written in 1972.
Not most exciting of the series. A lot of technical jargon and technique on operating fast motor boats while being pursued by men with guns.
Not most exciting of the series. A lot of technical jargon and technique on operating fast motor boats while being pursued by men with guns.
October 26, 2021
Helm finds himself in the middle of an interdepartmental civil war as a corrupt politician tries to bring various American undercover agencies under his absolute control. It's an unusual plot that allows for some great twists and turns.
It's not the perfect Matt Helm novel. The justification for saddling Helm with his boss's daughter as a partner was a little weak and parts of the middle section of the book feels padded. But both the opening scene (in which someone tries to assassinate Helm) and the extended climatic battle (in which Helm actually makes an important decision based on emotion rather than practicality) are excellent.
It's not the perfect Matt Helm novel. The justification for saddling Helm with his boss's daughter as a partner was a little weak and parts of the middle section of the book feels padded. But both the opening scene (in which someone tries to assassinate Helm) and the extended climatic battle (in which Helm actually makes an important decision based on emotion rather than practicality) are excellent.
February 14, 2021
Matt Helm Mission 14 in my opinion, the best one yet! Even if the boss's daughter really got on my nerves!
Synopsis - Matt was on vacation in Mexico with nothing on his mind bigger than a fish, when some joker tried to shoot him in the back. Naturally it was no accident. When secret agents get shot at, it's never an accident. So Matt had to go back to work immediately. And for a bonus--he was given his boss's beautiful daughter as a playmate in peril.
Synopsis - Matt was on vacation in Mexico with nothing on his mind bigger than a fish, when some joker tried to shoot him in the back. Naturally it was no accident. When secret agents get shot at, it's never an accident. So Matt had to go back to work immediately. And for a bonus--he was given his boss's beautiful daughter as a playmate in peril.
September 23, 2023
Always enjoyed these, Helm is a bastard but good at his job. He even shows feelings every once in a while. This time his whole outfit is getting hunted down, but they are all pros and Helm is put in charge of putting together the response to attack back. Though he gets stuck with an unwanted helper.
Highly recommended, all of these are well written and Helm is a great character.
Highly recommended, all of these are well written and Helm is a great character.
May 15, 2021
Ah, Matt Helm again... Always fast-paced, sheer enjoyment. This time around somebody is gunning for Matt, who's on vacation in Mexico. Then he finds himself on the run, sent to find one of his fellow agents who is killing cops, and the target of a fanatic who is determined to take over his secret department. And - if that's not bad enough - his assistant is his boss's naive daughter.
As always, Donald Hamilton tells a compelling tale of espionage. Enjoy!
As always, Donald Hamilton tells a compelling tale of espionage. Enjoy!
February 17, 2016
In this, the fourteenth Matt Helm book, his boss, up to this point only known as Mac (and, like Matt__s Eric codename, presumed to be just that__a code name) finally gets a real name: Arthur McGillivray Borden . . . not that the author is doing the character much of a favor saddling him with that moniker. (And incidentally, a bit of a cheat; if this were a mystery novel and not a thriller, the author could be accused of not playing fair by providing the characters with information the reader is not privy to.) One understands why he goes by Mac.
The government organization that Helm works for, however, remains nameless. Helm even goes so far as saying it doesn__t have a name. The organization seemingly out to kill Helm and destroy the organization Mac helms, however, does: The Federal Information Center. (At first glance, FINC seemed too cute__a very unlikely government acronym, even in jest . . . until I recalled Nixon__s Committee to RE-Elect the President.)
There is a lot to recommend this book. The first two of Helm__s kills employ methods you don__t see every day__all I will say is that the first has to do with a boat and the second with a car; anything more would spoil the fun. (And no, he doesn__t run anybody over. That would be way too prosaic.)
Then there is the use of language__no, not in how the novel was written, but rather a character__s identity is called into question because of strict grammarian rules. (__Presently__, for example, is synonymous with __shortly,__ not to be confused with __at present__, which means right now. Hamilton would have a field day with today__s bloggers, who don__t know the difference between your/you__re, cause/because, to/too/two, and even, god help us, have/of sometimes. But maybe I shouldn__t of pointed that out.)
Finally, there is a lengthy rant by one of the characters challenging the notion that human life is sacred. Having recently read Kingsman __ The Secret Service, I found it ironic that she should be espousing much of the same philosophy that fuels a villain of a graphic novel and then movie that came out some 43 years later. The world__s ills can be boiled down to one cause: Too many people! (Or, as I like to think of it, the Earth has exceeded its Maximum Occupancy.)
Hamilton goes overtime in this novel about the perception that somehow killing is wrong. Sure, if you__re, say, a meter reader, than society might look down on you for killing people, however much sense it might make to you. But Helm is a government assassin, going up against other government assassins; the body count is to be expected. For someone to hang out with Matt Helm and not get that that is what he does for a living is like giving a soldier in the middle of combat a companion who constantly harps on his returning fire. In fact, that__s an analogy that I__m surprised Helm never uses.
The government organization that Helm works for, however, remains nameless. Helm even goes so far as saying it doesn__t have a name. The organization seemingly out to kill Helm and destroy the organization Mac helms, however, does: The Federal Information Center. (At first glance, FINC seemed too cute__a very unlikely government acronym, even in jest . . . until I recalled Nixon__s Committee to RE-Elect the President.)
There is a lot to recommend this book. The first two of Helm__s kills employ methods you don__t see every day__all I will say is that the first has to do with a boat and the second with a car; anything more would spoil the fun. (And no, he doesn__t run anybody over. That would be way too prosaic.)
Then there is the use of language__no, not in how the novel was written, but rather a character__s identity is called into question because of strict grammarian rules. (__Presently__, for example, is synonymous with __shortly,__ not to be confused with __at present__, which means right now. Hamilton would have a field day with today__s bloggers, who don__t know the difference between your/you__re, cause/because, to/too/two, and even, god help us, have/of sometimes. But maybe I shouldn__t of pointed that out.)
Finally, there is a lengthy rant by one of the characters challenging the notion that human life is sacred. Having recently read Kingsman __ The Secret Service, I found it ironic that she should be espousing much of the same philosophy that fuels a villain of a graphic novel and then movie that came out some 43 years later. The world__s ills can be boiled down to one cause: Too many people! (Or, as I like to think of it, the Earth has exceeded its Maximum Occupancy.)
Hamilton goes overtime in this novel about the perception that somehow killing is wrong. Sure, if you__re, say, a meter reader, than society might look down on you for killing people, however much sense it might make to you. But Helm is a government assassin, going up against other government assassins; the body count is to be expected. For someone to hang out with Matt Helm and not get that that is what he does for a living is like giving a soldier in the middle of combat a companion who constantly harps on his returning fire. In fact, that__s an analogy that I__m surprised Helm never uses.
October 23, 2014
An assassination attempt on Matt Helm, a government assassin, starts off this wonderful thriller while he's vacationing down in Mexico. After that, the plot twists & turns. We learn more about Mac, the man that runs the unnamed government agency that Helm works for. A character introduced in an earlier book makes an appearance & a couple of new characters are introduced that figure prominently in a couple of the later ones. Definitely Hamilton at his best.
On to the next book, The Intimidators
On to the next book, The Intimidators
June 15, 2023
"Οι συνωμότες", εκδόσεις ΒΙΠΕΡ.
Τον Ιούνιο του 2020 διάβασα τελευταία φορά περιπέτεια του Ντόναλντ Χάμιλτον με πρωταγωνιστή τον φοβερό και τρομερό Ματ Χελμ, σίγουρα μου έλειψε πολύ (τόσο η γραφή και το στιλ του Χάμιλτον όσο και ο ίδιος ο Ματ Χελμ), αλλά επειδή δεν έχουν μείνει και πολλά βιβλία της σειράς στη συλλογή μου για διάβασμα, θα πρέπει να είμαι κάπως εγκρατής και να διαβάζω μια στο τόσο, για να μην ξεμείνω γρήγορα. Αυτό είναι το δέκατο τέταρτο βιβλίο της σειράς και το βρήκα πάρα πολύ καλό, πάνω κάτω στο ίδιο επίπεδο με τα προηγούμενα, αν και ίσως από τα πέντε-έξι πιο δυνατά. Ο Χελμ κάνει ήσυχα και ωραία τις διακοπές του στο Μεξικό, ψαρεύοντας και χαλαρώνοντας, μέχρι που μια μέρα κάποιος τον έβαλε στο σημάδι για να τον εκτελέσει! Τη γλιτώνει φυσικά (και καθαρίζει τον υποψήφιο εκτελεστή του), όμως πρέπει να καταλάβει τι γίνεται, ποιος τον έβαλε στο στόχαστρό του και γιατί. Και καταλαβαίνει ότι κάτι άσχημο συμβαίνει με την υπηρεσία του, κάποιες μεγάλες αλλαγές γίνονται, ένας τύπος και μια πολιτικός θέλουν να τα αλλάξουν όλα για το συμφέρον τους, οπότε ο Χελμ πρέπει να καθαρίσει για λογαριασμό του αφεντικού του και της υπηρεσίας του, αλλά και για το δικό του το καλό... Ωραία ιστορία, με λίγο μ��στήριο και ρεαλιστική δράση, με τη γραφή να παραμένει πολύ καλή και οξυδερκής, με ωραίο χιούμορ και κάμποσο κυνισμό. Είναι μια κατασκοπευτική περιπέτεια που απέχει πολύ από την πολιτική ορθότητα της εποχής μας, μυρίζει έντονα δεκαετία του '70 και σίγουρα θα αφήσει ικανοποιημένους τους λάτρεις του είδους.
Τον Ιούνιο του 2020 διάβασα τελευταία φορά περιπέτεια του Ντόναλντ Χάμιλτον με πρωταγωνιστή τον φοβερό και τρομερό Ματ Χελμ, σίγουρα μου έλειψε πολύ (τόσο η γραφή και το στιλ του Χάμιλτον όσο και ο ίδιος ο Ματ Χελμ), αλλά επειδή δεν έχουν μείνει και πολλά βιβλία της σειράς στη συλλογή μου για διάβασμα, θα πρέπει να είμαι κάπως εγκρατής και να διαβάζω μια στο τόσο, για να μην ξεμείνω γρήγορα. Αυτό είναι το δέκατο τέταρτο βιβλίο της σειράς και το βρήκα πάρα πολύ καλό, πάνω κάτω στο ίδιο επίπεδο με τα προηγούμενα, αν και ίσως από τα πέντε-έξι πιο δυνατά. Ο Χελμ κάνει ήσυχα και ωραία τις διακοπές του στο Μεξικό, ψαρεύοντας και χαλαρώνοντας, μέχρι που μια μέρα κάποιος τον έβαλε στο σημάδι για να τον εκτελέσει! Τη γλιτώνει φυσικά (και καθαρίζει τον υποψήφιο εκτελεστή του), όμως πρέπει να καταλάβει τι γίνεται, ποιος τον έβαλε στο στόχαστρό του και γιατί. Και καταλαβαίνει ότι κάτι άσχημο συμβαίνει με την υπηρεσία του, κάποιες μεγάλες αλλαγές γίνονται, ένας τύπος και μια πολιτικός θέλουν να τα αλλάξουν όλα για το συμφέρον τους, οπότε ο Χελμ πρέπει να καθαρίσει για λογαριασμό του αφεντικού του και της υπηρεσίας του, αλλά και για το δικό του το καλό... Ωραία ιστορία, με λίγο μ��στήριο και ρεαλιστική δράση, με τη γραφή να παραμένει πολύ καλή και οξυδερκής, με ωραίο χιούμορ και κάμποσο κυνισμό. Είναι μια κατασκοπευτική περιπέτεια που απέχει πολύ από την πολιτική ορθότητα της εποχής μας, μυρίζει έντονα δεκαετία του '70 και σίγουρα θα αφήσει ικανοποιημένους τους λάτρεις του είδους.
August 29, 2021
We find Matt Helm fishing while vacationing in ol’ Mexico; staying at the resort village of Bahia, San Carlos. Matt was having little luck with the lady accompanying him; a reformer type, wanting to be Matt’s conscience. After putting her on a plane, Helm returned to his fishing vacation alone. With an empty hook and no fish, Helm headed back to the resort. Motoring in, he was shot at from the shore. Someone knew he was here. Suffice to say, Helm eliminated the sharpshooter toot sweet. Back in Washington, a politician named Herbert Leonard is creating chaos within the intelligence community. He is combining all the agencies under one banner, under his control; The Federal Information Center (FIC). In addition, creating a private police force; The Bureau of Internal Security. Leonard has a vendetta against Mac’s organization and agents are failing to report in. So much for the setup of the story. Helm is dispatched to stop Leonard, by any means necessary. Those dirty politicians, always trying to grab more power than they can handle. You know what they say, "In a hierarchy, every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence. In time, every post tends to be occupied by an employee who is incompetent to carry out its duties."
January 31, 2022
I miss my youth...sigh. I've been working on putting a new desk chair together for 2 days now. I had to lay down yesterday and fell asleep.
Anyway, when I was young and "Bond, James Bond", Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin were saving the world along side Kelly Robinson and Alexander Scott while Steed and Mrs. Peel handled the more esoteric challenges Matt Helm got short shrift.
Largely because of the atrocious Dean Martian movies and the short lived (deservedly so) Anthony Franciosa TV series.
As I've pointed out in other reviews of this series Helm is an Assassin...period. He does his job without fuss and a minimum of concern (it's there of course we all know it he just never tells us. He's too professional for that.) AND sometimes a thorn the comes back to prick you more than once needs to be removed.
Good addition to the series, nice plot line and intrigue while not losing action. We see our characters a bit more here...but still, it's Matt.
Recommended.
Anyway, when I was young and "Bond, James Bond", Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin were saving the world along side Kelly Robinson and Alexander Scott while Steed and Mrs. Peel handled the more esoteric challenges Matt Helm got short shrift.
Largely because of the atrocious Dean Martian movies and the short lived (deservedly so) Anthony Franciosa TV series.
As I've pointed out in other reviews of this series Helm is an Assassin...period. He does his job without fuss and a minimum of concern (it's there of course we all know it he just never tells us. He's too professional for that.) AND sometimes a thorn the comes back to prick you more than once needs to be removed.
Good addition to the series, nice plot line and intrigue while not losing action. We see our characters a bit more here...but still, it's Matt.
Recommended.
July 19, 2024
Helm has been on leave, spending it in Mexico on a boat. Then an attempt is made on his life. He is approached by Martha Borden, a junior agent, he believes. The two of them head across the country for an assignment. They stop at the ranch and learn that Herbert Leonard is back with the same goal he had years ago: take over the agency run by Mac. And Mac has disappeared. And another attempt is made on Helm’s life.
Borden is a hippie. She is sentimental. She is horrified by Helm’s methods. She betrays him several times, but he is reluctant to get rid of her. She is Mac’s daughter.
Helm has to stop Leonard and save Mac.
This was the best Helm story so far.
Borden is a hippie. She is sentimental. She is horrified by Helm’s methods. She betrays him several times, but he is reluctant to get rid of her. She is Mac’s daughter.
Helm has to stop Leonard and save Mac.
This was the best Helm story so far.
April 1, 2022
#14 in the Matt Helm series. This 1972 series entry by author Donald Hamilton has Matt's nameless secret agency taken over by a corrupt politician and boss 'Mac' go into hiding. Matt meets a young lady with a message for him. She says she is Mac's daughter and provides instructions for Matt to make contact with Mac. Encoded in the message are the facts that the messenger is not trained and she is not to be trusted. A trip to Florida and double-dealing ensue.
November 4, 2020
One of the better ones
Reading the Matt Helm series in chronological order allows one to judge each book individually as well as how if fits as a member of the group. I enjoyed this book more than most of the others because there were a lot of unexpected twists and turns. It was worth the time spent.
Reading the Matt Helm series in chronological order allows one to judge each book individually as well as how if fits as a member of the group. I enjoyed this book more than most of the others because there were a lot of unexpected twists and turns. It was worth the time spent.
February 3, 2019
An inside job
A real fun one. No commie plots, no Russians, no Chinese. Just a good ol' stupid politician, who once again thought he could run agents of Helm's ilk, not to mention take out Helm's boss, without repercussions.
A real fun one. No commie plots, no Russians, no Chinese. Just a good ol' stupid politician, who once again thought he could run agents of Helm's ilk, not to mention take out Helm's boss, without repercussions.
April 14, 2023
Matt Helm is sent after Carl, an agent who has gone rogue after cops killed his daugher during a protest, but there's something bigger going on too. This time he's teamed with his boss's daughter, who's uncomfortable with all his killing. Best one yet, I think.
May 13, 2020
Another excellent Matt Helm adventure!
May 29, 2023
Exquisitely plotted Helm with the sexism that troubles contemporary readers less in evidence. This episode is, if not perhaps one of the top 5 Helms, still Hamilton on top form.
July 12, 2014
THE INTRIGUERS, ©1972, officially marks the beginning of the bloated period of Matt Helm novels. THE POISONERS suffers also from bloat, but now it's definite and noticeable. Donald Hamilton's best novels are short; the short novel form is his strong point. My theory is that as publishers started demanding longer novels the quality of his work suffered. I blame Hamilton's editor & publisher as much as I blame Hamilton for the bloat. (In my own personal experience, if I have to lose 20,000 words from one of my novels, it doesn't get weaker, it gets stronger.)
Analogy: Bradbury had a special genius for the short story form; that was where he shined; but it took Ray three tries to lengthen what started as a tiny story into what became a short novel that made his reputation: 451.
My guess is that the bloated Matt Helm novels still sold, and compared to a lot of what was out there in the way of competition at the time, still held up as entertainment.
Even with the bloat, this novel is one of my favorite Matt Helms. I think it introduces the most irritating character in any of the Matt Helm novels: Martha, the boss's daughter, who bitches and moans every time Matt kills another of the men who are out to kill him. Martha's idealism raises obnoxiousness to a new level, almost a literary loathsomeness.
#14--THE INTRIGUERS is also one of the Helm Threefers: three times in this novel Matt offers himself up on a silver platter for his adversaries to do whatever they please with him.
Number of times Matt Helm uses himself as bait in the Matt Helm series, and allows himself to be captured by the opposition (or presents himself directly to the opposition allowing the opposition to do whatever they please with him):
0 = DEATH OF A CITIZEN
1 = THE WRECKING CREW
2 = THE REMOVERS
1 = THE SILENCERS
1 = MURDERERS' ROW
3 = THE AMBUSHERS
2 = THE SHADOWERS
2 = THE RAVAGERS
1 = THE DEVASTATORS
1 = THE BETRAYERS
1 = THE MENACERS
3 = THE INTERLOPERS
1 = THE POISONERS
3 = THE INTRIGUERS
14 novels in the Matt Helm series so far; 22 instances thus far of the Matt Helm Smooth Move! How does the man survive?
@hg47
July 21, 2017
If you like your spy fiction tough, cynical, and realistic rather than filled with all kinds of fancy gadgetry, the Matt Helm series is your ticket. This is one of the best of the bunch, taking Helm from the Gulf of California to the hills of Oklahoma and to the swamplands of Florida. This is a story filled with right crosses and double crosses and who to trust and who to be suspicious of. High speed boat chases, interagency politics, social upheaval in sixties college campuses, and more.
Throughout it all, Hamilton never fails to impress on the reader how professional his agents are and how rarely emotional complications play into it. It's a dirty profession -protecting the free world -- but if someone is about to gun you down, aren't you justified in doing whatever is necessary, particularly to those on the other side.
In some ways, this may be the toughest mission of Helm's career, but he's got a job to do and he is going to complete his mission.
Throughout it all, Hamilton never fails to impress on the reader how professional his agents are and how rarely emotional complications play into it. It's a dirty profession -protecting the free world -- but if someone is about to gun you down, aren't you justified in doing whatever is necessary, particularly to those on the other side.
In some ways, this may be the toughest mission of Helm's career, but he's got a job to do and he is going to complete his mission.
May 22, 2014
The early Matt Helm novels were so good, I always try a later one whenever I come across a cheap paperback. Guess I'm hoping to find a repeat of the quality of the first few books. Unfortunately, they always come across as idealized, dangerous daydreams of Donald Hamilton's fishing vacations. Some interesting passages, but it doesn't hit me the same way as Death of A Citizen or The Wrecking Crew.
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April 27, 2016kept duplicate
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