The Mammoth Book of Short Spy Novels

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By Bill Pronzini & Martin H. Greenberg

Publisher Description

Spanning more than 75 years of espionage writing in USA and the UK, here are gripping tales by classic writers in the field including W. Somerset Maugham, Ian Fleming, Leslie Charteris, and Erle Stanley Gardner. They are presented complete and unabridged. Among the now legendary fictional secret agents, counterspies and double agents featured are Somerset Maugham's enigmatic operative Ashenden; Ian Fleming's legendary 007; and Peter O'Donnell's Modesty Blaise, 'the female James Bond'.

The stories include: The formula for a deadly warfare chemical propels secret agent Peter Baron on a mission through Italy - in Deep Sleep by Bruce Cassiday Agent 007 James Bond confronts military intrigue in the Caribbean - in Octopussy, by Ian Fleming International conspiracy, assassination, bombs, plot and counter-plot in Washington D.C. - in Dealers in Doom by William E. Barrett Someone is out to destroy the British Government, from the inside - in The Spoilers, by Michael Gilbert The CIA enlists a small-town policeman to track down a spy who will stop at nothing to preserve his identity - in The People of the Peacock, by Edward D. Hoch

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1 Review

5.0

Mac

Created almost 2 years ago

“Espionage, Murder, Romance, Bombings, Honeytraps and what not!! The Mammoth Book of Short Spy Novels is an exceptional book which has complete potential to satiate the heart of a Spy story lover! Big thanks to Bill Pronzini for picking the best Spy stories and compiling into a book! Every single story is unique with a plot equally intriguing. My favourites were: The Sizzling Saboteur, Deep-Sleep, Betrayed and The Giggle-Wrecker The book contains 12 stories all by different authors. Checkout spoiler-free description of each story below. 1. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s - “The Adventure of the Bruce-Partington Plans” Rating 3.5/5 The book starts with the story of the world-famous fictional detective - Sherlock Holmes. Without much meandering, the reader is introduced to the mystery in a short while and thus begins a wild goose chase to find the missing papers of the Bruce-Partington plans which supposedly is an important defence document. This is a typical SH story with Watson as his partner-in-(solving)-crime narrating the story in first person. The plot is unique and difficult to detect but not too complex to follow. However, since this was meant to be a short story, it ends fairly quickly. 2. W. SOMERSET MAUGHAM’s - “The Traitor” Rating 4/5 The Traitor comprises two spy stories, both traitors. The first story was quite short, and I am still curious about what made the author squeeze that in. In the second story, Ashenden - An English spy conceals his identity and meets another Englishman who is also a Spy however he’s been providing information to the Germans. The plot is all about a spy’s state of mind and why they do whatever they do. Is it the passion for the country, is it money or something else? There isn’t much about the plot but the way Ashenden manipulates the Englishman is difficult to forget. 3. CORNELL WOOLRICH’s - “Tokyo, 1941” Rating 3/5 Tokyo, 1941 is a story about an American spy (Lyons) working for Russia within Japan. When the Jap’s start suspecting Lyons, they deploy Tomato - a young girl who aims to take Lyons down. In this story is also an angle of a Diamond that Lyons procures within Japan. Although not clearly mentioned, the Diamond seems to be cursed and only brings despair, anguish, poverty, or worse to the owner. The climax of the story is quite a unique one however the story in general is more or less an average but decent read. 4. LESLIE CHARTERIS’s- “The Sizzling Saboteur” Rating 5/5 This was the perfect Spy story so far in the book. Leslie Chateris’s writing style and character formation are quite praiseworthy! Imbibing humour in serious and tense situations correctly is an art and through Simon “Saint” Templar’s character, Leslie has proved his mastery. Excellent plot, beautiful characterisations and a good end! Loved this one. Simon Templar finds a log of wood on the road to Galveston which turns out to be a man burnt by a mob and thereupon begins the search for the mobsters who were responsible for it. Characters like Yard, Kingslake, Olga were excellently written. 5. ERLE GARDENER’S - “The Danger Zone” Rating 5/5 The Danger Zone was an action-packed, interesting and a perfect Spy novel! Major Brane is tasked at finding a Chinese girl who has been abducted for possessing secrets about a local influencer. I loved reading Major Brane and his thought process which was always double-backed! Excellent setup! 6. JOHN D. MACDONALD’s - “Betrayed” Rating 5/5 Extremely engaging and brings one on the edge of their seat. Left me waiting for more and ended too quickly! Francie is assigned a new job at a Weather department office which is a cover for creating an equipment that would save the nation from being nuked. However, she’s not the only one who knows about it. Great spy work and excellent characters again! This was a typical plot from a movie however it was much better experience to read it. 7. BRUCE CASSIDAY’S “Deep-Sleep” Rating 5/5 Nothing short of a great action-packed movie. Romance, Espionage, Hypnotism, Abduction, Guns and glory! Peter Baron and his friend Duke Farinese attempt to protect the formula of “Deep-Sleep: which is of strategic importance as anyone with their hands on it could put any man in Deep sleep within seconds. Paula Rimmini is its guardian who is blackmailed to handover Deep Sleep in the exchange for her brother Mario Rimmini Another gem filled with lots of twists and turns! 8. EDWARD D. HOCH’s “The People of the Peacock” Rating 2/5 Venice is a retired spy who wishes intends to live a normal life under disguise. Moon, a CIA investigator dies amidst investigating Venice who is supposedly in the city. Leopold is a town police who has a good reputation and is assigned the case to find out what happened. Didn’t interest me as much as the stories above. This one is said to bear a couple of red herrings (as per reviews) which I missed clearly. Not much fascinated by the plot 9. JOHN JAKES’s - “Dr. Sweetkill” Rating: 4/5 Unpredictable and action-packed with a hint of romance and lots of drama! Nick Lamont is quite desperate for a new “job”, especially after the last one bombs with him killing an agent “Tenderly” during a mission. He is tasked with getting a job in a German private organisation and destroys one of its Research wings which is being controlled by Dr.Sweetkill who is responsible for shipping a nerve gas to the east! 10. PETER O’DONNELL’s - The Giggle-Wrecker Rating: 5/5 This one is easily one of the top 2 stories from the book! Quite a twisted plot and unbelievable execution! Professor Okubo, a bacteriologist is holed out in East Berlin barely yards away from the Wall to West Berlin. Modesty and Willie Garvin are not new to passing between East and West Berlin however Okubo is not an everyday cargo. This one’s a funny tale of abduction and transfer using non-conventional means! 11. MICHAEL GILBERT’s - The Spoilers Rating: 2/5 I couldn’t connect with this story much. Maybe due to its meandering plot which lost my interest. The current government is in turmoil since a lot of government ministers and officials have started resigning stating stupid reasons or getting killed. Mr Behrens and Mr Calder are brought to the party to investigate and soon begins an episode of questioning, trap laying and treachery. 12. IAN FLEMING’s - Octopussy Rating 4.5/5 This is a James Bond story however James Bond barely makes a small appearance in this one and No, this is not at all related to the movie Octopussy. Major Dexter Smythe is approached by James Bond in connection with an act performed by Smythe in the past. Out of greed, Smythe commits a crime for which Bond questions and sends him for Court Marshall. This isn’t really an espionage story however the narration is quite immersive and thereby interesting. ---- I just didn't wish this book ended! Highly recommended and a full 5 starred rock-n-roll ride!!”

About Bill Pronzini

Bill Pronzini, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye

Writers of America, is author of over 50 novels, including the Nameless Detective

series. Martin H. Greenberg, dubbed the king of anthologists, has more than 1000

anthologies to his credit, including the Murder Most . . . series.

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Martin H. Greenberg

Martin H. Greenberg, dubbed the king of anthologists, has more than 1000 anthologies to his credit, including the Murder Most . . . series.

Bill Pronzini, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Private Eye Writers of America, is author of over 50 novels, including the Nameless Detective series.