Death of a Citizen, Donald Hamilton, Titan Books, 1960, 227 pp
Some months ago I wondered out loud on this blog if there were any novels about the early days of the CIA during the Cold War. Lisa at Captivated Reader went to work for me and found the Matt Helm series. Death of a Citizen is the first in that series.
Matt Helm had worked for the CIA (or its preceding organization) during WWII. He left the service after the war, married a lovely woman and had two kids. He became a writer of popular Westerns and thought he had made a pretty good life for himself.
However, his old boss, now a CIA guy, came looking for him in the guise of Helm's former partner during the war. His assassin nature reared up, as well as his lust for Tina, that former partner. He was back at it. This time he was supposed to save the life of an American nuclear physicist.
Death of a Citizen is a fast-paced thriller with plenty of sex, blood, double-crosses and mysterious persons. Matt has a style all his own preferring knives and pistols. His attitude toward women is definitely mid-20th century and his mental state is naturally conflicted.
I liked the book well enough to try a couple more in the series. I hadn't thought the CIA carried out missions inside the United States. I thought that was the FBI's territory. Clearly I have more to learn.
A U.S. james bond type? I've not heard of the Matt Helm series but 1960 goes back a ways. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteYes, but grittier than James Bond.
DeleteWasn't there a long ago movie with this character? I don't think I ever saw it and I'm sure I've never read any of these books, but I seem to remember such a movie. Doesn't really sound like my cup of tea but props to you for reading it!
ReplyDeleteYes! I learned from some of the reviews on Goodreads that there were a few movies made from these books.
DeleteThanks for the shout out to my blog!! I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the Matt Helm series has worked out pretty well. Yippe! Fast paced thrillers are usually ones I enjoy reading the most. It sounds like I need to explore the Matt Helm for myself at some point.
Thanks for your help in finding these for me!
DeleteSounds fast paced and intriguing.
ReplyDeleteThe CIA is meant to act abroad, never at home. FBI is domestic, or acts in cases where US citizens find themselves in international waters--or something like that.
That is what I thought. Maybe because of the nuclear issue? Anyway, it looks like the next in the series takes place outside the US.
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