The Priceless Particle

Mission: Impossible #5

by Talmage Powell

No book summary available

212 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Pen Names: Robert Hart Davis, Robert Henry, Milton T. Lamb, Milton T. Land, Jack McCready, Anne Talmage, and Dave Sands.

U.S. Author (1920 - 2000) Talmage Powell began his writing career in 1942. Mr. Powell created over 200 stories for the pulp fiction magazines writing in almost every genre and for all of the top magazines. After the demise of the pulps, Mr. Powell continued to write another 300 plus short stories for fiction magazines such as Ellery Queen, Alfred Hitchcock, Mike Shayne, Manhunt and Suspense.

Powell also had a number of successful novels published during the 1950s and 1960s. His Ed Rivers series is recognized as some of the best Private Investigator stories from that era. Mr. Powell also had written a number of novels under the Ellery Queen by line as well. He also contributed his creative talents to screenwriting and television work.

Talmage Powell has had a long and successful career by delivering suspensful, intelligent, action based stories that any reader would enjoy.

Pulp Magazines (Partial): Dime Detective, Dime Mystery, Detective Tales, Ten Detecive Aces, Doc Savage, The Shadow, G-Men Detective, Ranch Romances, Fifteen Western Tales, Hollywood Detective, Crack Detective, Black Mask, and many more.

Reviews

[Tim Deforest · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Whitman books were written for kids, but they rarely wrote down for the audience. This one is an intelligent and well-plotted story taking the IMF team into a Middle Eastern dictatorship to rescue a scientist and his valuable formula.

The plan involves--amoung other things--convincing the bad guys that the captive scientist isn't actually who they think he is, while simultaneously convincing them that IMF agent Cinammon Carter is the scientist's real daughter.

Unlike the best TV episodes, this one might be a little overcomplicated in places--some of the parts of the IMF plan don't completely make sense. But the book still captures the fun of watching good guys pull off a massive con on bad guys.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit juvenile and naive, even for a young adult type book. The hip, unprofessional lingo the IMF members used here is very dated and silly. It reminds me of how comic book characters always seem to have loads of spare time to throw out witty quips in the heat of battle. But, it mostly held my attention, plus it’s fun to read a book written in a time when anyone could say “negro” in everyday conversation.

[Brad Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty decent book with some of the flavor of the classic TV series. My only problem was with the characterization of Willy Armitage in the book. Also, the idea of taking Miriam along on the mission was pretty stupid. Otherwise, it was a nice smooth read.