The author, Max Allan Collins, sets the stories for this series alongside real historical events. In this book, some of the real characters are obvious... Eliot Ness and George Raft for example. There are a lot of other real people involved, but I did not know enough history to recognize many of them, so it did not spoil my enjoyment at all. The story begins in 1932, at the end of Prohibition, and includes the election of Franklin Roosevelt, and the World's Fair of 1933.
I loved how this was written and I found Nate Heller to be a fantastic character. The story is told from his point of view in first person, which I always enjoy. It is on the hard-boiled side, with no coziness at all, and a good bit of sex and violence.
Several sections of the book begin with period photos from the time: Maxwell Street in Chicago, Hooverville, the Chicago Water Tower, the Chicago World's Fair.
Max Allan Collins is a very prolific and versatile author. He has written several other popular series: the Frank Nolan series, the Quarry series, the Mallory series, and a Disaster series. Between 1977 and 1993, he scripted Chester Gould's Dick Tracy comic strip. And much more.
-----------------------------
Publisher: Tor Books, 1986 (orig. publ. 1983)
Length: 370 pages
Format: Paperback
Series: Nathan Heller, #1
Setting: Chicago, 1932-33
Genre: Historical Mystery
Source: I purchased this book... a long time ago.
20 comments:
I'm really glad that you reviewed this one, Tracy. I've been wanting to read this series and just haven't yet. It sounds really enjoyable, and it's good to hear you like it so well.
I've read all of Max Allan Collins' Nate Heller novels, with delight. I look forward to the next one, which I understand will be titled DO NO HARM, and will place Heller in the midst of the confusing Sam Sheppard murder case.
Cheers,
Jeff
Nice review, Tracy. I really like the Heller books, my favorites of Collins' fiction. I have a few left to read, including this one, but the are all sitting on the shelf.
Sounds interesting Tracy. I like the historical aspect of it too!
I was very pleased with this book, Margot, and I plan to read more of the series.
I am glad to hear that, Jeff. I did not know that a new book in the series is coming out. I plan to read the books in order, but not sure if that is necessary.
I do want to try other series by Collins, Rick, but will probably focus on this one.
I don't know why it took me so long to get to reading this, Peggy, but very glad I did. I was not bothered by real characters included in the story at all.
There's a lot of research behind this series, which gets Heller involved in some of the Twentieth Century's most notable mysteries, including the Lindberg kidnapping,the Amelia Earhart disappearance, the Roswell sightings, and the JFK assassination. I'm a big Collins fan and have found nearly everything he writes to be well-plotted and highly enjoyable.
I've enjoyed several of the Nate Keller mysteries. Nate meets a lot of pretty girls, all with "heart-shaped" faces. I've a feeling I know what type of face turns Maxie on!
Thanks for that information, Jerry. I definitely plan to read all of this series. I will also try some other series. Right now I have some of the Disaster series and the comic book series (Jack and Maggie Starr).
Glad to hear that, Mathew. I had a feeling that Nate wasn't going to settle down anytime soon.
Oh this sounds interesting. I am sure I have read something by this author, but not sure what it was!
I read it quite a while ago but it still stands out in my memory. A really good and original work.
It was very good, Moira. I would like to try other series he has written, but I am even more interested in continuing this one.
Yes, this is a very unique book, Graham. The Toby Peters series by Stuart Kaminsky is has similar elements, but more humorous, if I remember correctly.
Tracy, I definitely intend to read (for the first time) Max Allan Collins' work this year. I have read that he is a terrific writer.
I know you will like whatever you choose by this author, Prashant. And he has written various types of mysteries, so there is lots to choose from.
Glad you enjoyed this one Tracy. I hope you read more from him.
Post a Comment