4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Saintly Accomplishment, July 12, 2001
As a mystery writer with my debut novel in current release, I am greatly impressed by Max Allan Collins and his HINDENBURG MURDERS. His choice of Leslie Charteris, once an actual passenger on the Hindenburg, as a sleuth was a masterstroke of brilliance. The novel's use of a historical situation and actual people's names was deftly handled. Collins has built a crisp mystery in a realistic-feeling setting. THE HINDENBURG MURDERS is most deserving of its recent Shamus Award nomination.
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5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fascinating fictional look at a dramatic historical incident, September 25, 2000
Usually I am leery of writers who use real life historical characters as sleuths, they tend to just rely on the gimmick with the mystery angle being rather blah, however that's not the case with this book.
Collins choice of Leslie Charteris as his protagonist is ideal. Charteris was a colorful character in his own right and he *was* a passenger on the Hindenburgh (on it's maiden voyage though not on the final trip). Collin's also uses the real names of the passengers and crew for his fictitious characters, creates a credible mystery around the events in pre-war Nazi Germany and builds to a spectacular climax. All makes for very satisfying reading.
Not only will I be looking for more Max Allan Collins this book has made me want to find out more about the Hinderburgh and to re-read the Saint stories.
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exhilarhating but scary take on history, June 14, 2000
He is the famous author of the Saint mysteries, novels read by millions of loyal fans throughout the world. He was also on the maiden voyage of the Hindenburg dirigible and the finally voyage as well. On May 3, 1937, after the passengers boarded under the uncomfortable scrutiny of the Nazis, the ship leaves for the one-week trip from Frankfurt to America. On the trek over the ocean, Charteris notices that the officials have confiscated all lighters and matches, leaving the author to wonder if someone reported a bomb threat.
An SS informer mysterious vanishes, and the writer thinks an unknown assailant(s) tossed the missing person off the ship during the night. The officers fear bad publicity and the reaction of their own government. They ask Charteris to discretely investigate what happened to the SS informer. During his inquiries, he learns more than he wants to know about the passengers, the reaction to world events, and the military gamesmanship going on board the ship. Charteris is the only person left living who knows what really happened over the ocean and over New Jersey.
Using an actual catastrophe within the framework of a mystery entertains readers while educating the audience as to a world's reaction to Hitler just before the war. The protagonist, the renowned author of the Saint novels, symbolizes the upcoming battle with the Nazis even as he appears too self-indulgent, making for an interesting dichotomy. Max Allan Collins has become one of the masters of the twentieth century historical mystery and THE HINDENBURG MURDERS will only augment his growing reputation.
Harriet Klausner
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