tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984067990467963645.post7593256571545320682..comments2024-03-21T22:22:59.425-07:00Comments on Vintage Pop Fictions: Matt Helm: Death of a Citizen, Donald Hamiltondfordoomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02306293859869179118noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984067990467963645.post-85024511410247358112015-06-24T11:41:56.144-07:002015-06-24T11:41:56.144-07:00Certainly the first three novels should be read in...Certainly the first three novels should be read in sequence -- No. 3 plays off of events in Helm's personal life that are central to "Death of a Citizen." Later other characters introduced in earlier books pop up in later ones.<br /><br />And yes, Matt Helm is cold-blooded, at least when it comes to his work. None of this nonsense of tying up dangerous enemy spies, so they can conveniently get loose later to cause trouble for him. Nope; either they get killed by their own side, or Helm dispatches them, exactly as they would dispatch him if the situation were reversed. The funniest black comedy bits come when less experienced intelligence operatives, or on occasion civilian characters, are shocked and horrified that he kills a dangerous spy. His view is that you wouldn't leave a rattlesnake loose in your house, would you?Benzadmiralhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16762681617545684805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6984067990467963645.post-13192011465563828442012-04-08T18:28:16.172-07:002012-04-08T18:28:16.172-07:00I definitely do recommend reading these in sequenc...I definitely do recommend reading these in sequence. Some are much better than others, but there is a continuity between them that adds to the enjoyment. Helm is a fascinating character--and completely cold blooded. His frequent observations about things he doesn't like, such as women in pants, also make these books slightly reminiscent, but much lower key, than the works of John D. MacDonald. It's a shame that the Helm movies created the impression that the books must be lightweight entertainment. They are anything but.D.A. Trapperthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15676053557915790757noreply@blogger.com