Customer Reviews

Columbo: The Hoover Files

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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).

This was a pretty good Columbo story. The characters were interesting and the story was well told. The only problems i had with the book was 1) it was too short 2) the killer was way too obvious (even Columbo should have figured it out by page 50!). Still, this book is a great way to spend an afternoon

This was a good, but predictable, Columbo story. I just wish they wouldn't tell who did it and why right up front. Would be more fun to try to figure it out right along with Columbo.