Columbo: The Hoover Files (Mass Market Paperback)

by William Harrington (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Betsy Clendenin, a Kitty Kelley^-like master of the unauthorized biography, is to show-biz public relations what Saddam Hussein is to Middle East peace. Her new project concerns J. Edgar Hoover; Betsy has unearthed new dirt regarding information passed between J. Edgar Hoover, the Mafia, and Roy Cohn. Unfortunately, whatever Betsy learned goes up in flames--along with Betsy herself--when her house explodes. Enter everyone's favorite rumpled detective, Lieutenant Columbo of the LAPD. Just like on TV, we know who the killer is almost from the start; the fun is watching Columbo tighten the noose through his special mix of oblique questioning, self-deprecating asides, and shrewd insight into the criminal mind. Harrington continues to do a great job with this series, mixing in historical figures and some very amusing banter between Columbo and everyone else. An additional plus is an attention to forensic detail that matches any of the more serious procedurals. Entertaining reading. Wes Lukowsky --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
"Mr. Harrington seems to know everything....He knows how to write too...cleanly and unobtrusively, letting his material have its way."--The New York Times Book Review

"That rumpled raincoat is as convincing in the mind's eye as it is on the small screen."--New York Daily News

"In Columbo: The Hoover Files, everyone has a good time, especially the reader."--The Buffalo news
-- Review

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Forge Books (May 15, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0812562747
• ISBN-13: 978-0812562743
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #924,300 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Harrington slaughters our favorite tv detective!, February 10, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Columbo: The Hoover Files (Hardcover)

I have read several of Harrington's Columbo books and tried to keep an open mind about them. However, this book in particular lacks the qualities that made Columbo such an entertaining character. We know who committed the crime, we know Columbo knows; the mystery is "how is Columbo going to catch them?" Columbo needs to constantly be around the villain, asking questions. It is the interaction between him and the murderer that makes him so entertaining. Harrington misses the boat on this one. Columbo only talks to the murdrer a few times in this book. Harrington also relies too heavily on Columbo's "signature" items: the cigar, the raincoat, Dog, the car. Other than the fact that these items are around, this character is nothing like the Columbo that we know. Harrington has added an investigative reporter into the mix which just doesn't fit. He has Columbo relying too heavily on other people. Perhaps Mr. Harrington would be served well to watch some of the Columbo reruns on A&E to discover who his main character is supposed to be.

1.0 out of 5 stars Trash talk, January 28, 2009

By	PJ (Virginia, USA) - See all my reviews

This is the first Columbo/Harrington novel I have read - and the last. The writing reads like a script with little characterization (the reader needs to rely on previous knowledge of the television Columbo) or development. The sparse plot is a vicious rehash of nasty rumors about J. Edgar Hoover and Michael Jackson. All in all, I felt as if I needed to wash my hands after reading this book.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Columbo, but research was poor., June 9, 1999

By	Bob Moore (Grand Canyon Country) - See all my reviews

Have enjoyed all of the Harrington Columbo's. Great for plane trips or even motel nights while on a Road Trip. This one pleased as always, but I found the shoddy research bothersome. No one in Southern California heats their home with oil and to find a block of up-scale private homes on West Santa Monica Boulevard (let alone be able to close the street because of a bomb) is really a stretch. Outside of that enjoyed the book and the references to previous Columbo books. Hope the series continues (with tighter research).