Rating: 
Summary: A Saintly Accomplishment
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: A Saintly Accomplishment
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Exhilarhating but scary take on history
Review: 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
Rating: 
Summary: 3 Stars - Middle of the road book
Review: I debated whether or not to give this book an extra half star for the research that went it to it, but decided not to. Sure it's impressive to know that the characters in the story are based on the name of passengers in real life and that some of the tale is based on facts, however I couldn't come away with a ringing endorsement of this book but can say that it is an average book. I didn't find the story that riveting overall and I thought the depictions of the characters themselves were fairly simplistic. Now this may due to either the author's style or constraints that Collins placed on himself not to get too involved with creating insight into real life individuals. What does this mean? This book is not grueling or horrible by any means, it can be read without agony, but if you are looking for a great book you should take a pass on it unless the Hindenburg itself is what draws you to the book. Otherwise, I think there are better books that center around some historical basis or what if scenarios. (i.e. Follett's "Eye of the Needle" or Higgins "The Eagle has Landed".)
Rating:
Summary: 3 Stars - Middle of the road book
Review: I debated whether or not to give this book an extra half star for the research that went it to it, but decided not to. Sure it's impressive to know that the characters in the story are based on the name of passengers in real life and that some of the tale is based on facts, however I couldn't come away with a ringing endorsement of this book but can say that it is an average book. I didn't find the story that riveting overall and I thought the depictions of the characters themselves were fairly simplistic. Now this may due to either the author's style or constraints that Collins placed on himself not to get too involved with creating insight into real life individuals. What does this mean? This book is not grueling or horrible by any means, it can be read without agony, but if you are looking for a great book you should take a pass on it unless the Hindenburg itself is what draws you to the book. Otherwise, I think there are better books that center around some historical basis or what if scenarios. (i.e. Follett's "Eye of the Needle" or Higgins "The Eagle has Landed".)
Rating:
Summary: Gas Bag
Review: Max Allan Collins turns in a fast, fun adventure based on a historical catastrophe (his forte, it seems). Fans of The Saint will love what he's done here; others needn't worry about being left out, as Collins keeps the mystery crackling and the in-jokes to a minimum. An afterword by the author puts the fictionalized elements of the tale in proper historical context. Collins pulls a few neat tricks out of his mystery-writer's hat to keep you guessing until the final pages. Any chance of seeing Leslie Charteris in another adventure?
Rating:
Summary: Gas Bag
Review: Max Allan Collins turns in a fast, fun adventure based on a historical catastrophe (his forte, it seems). Fans of The Saint will love what he's done here; others needn't worry about being left out, as Collins keeps the mystery crackling and the in-jokes to a minimum. An afterword by the author puts the fictionalized elements of the tale in proper historical context. Collins pulls a few neat tricks out of his mystery-writer's hat to keep you guessing until the final pages. Any chance of seeing Leslie Charteris in another adventure?
Rating: 
Summary: Mixed Bag
Review: The style and plot were a tad simplistic. The historical accuracy was actually quite good. My biggest issue was with how "perfect" our protagonist is. He always knows everything, and gets away with completely unbelieveable dialog that makes the book a bit of a dog. If you are a fan of history and airships, this isn't a bad read. The author did their homework. Unfortunately, that is the apparent gimmick. Historical disaster, 2-D hero, and a cheesy plot seem to be all there is. It is amazing that an author can develop such a following with such a pat formula.
Rating:
Summary: Mixed Bag
Review: The style and plot were a tad simplistic. The historical accuracy was actually quite good. My biggest issue was with how "perfect" our protagonist is. He always knows everything, and gets away with completely unbelieveable dialog that makes the book a bit of a dog. If you are a fan of history and airships, this isn't a bad read. The author did their homework. Unfortunately, that is the apparent gimmick. Historical disaster, 2-D hero, and a cheesy plot seem to be all there is. It is amazing that an author can develop such a following with such a pat formula.
Rating:
Summary: EXCELLENT!
Review: This book was excellent in the way that it was historical yet, it was interesting (not that history isn't interesting!) It was great because it was easy to relate information that you already know to information that you didn't know. It had an excellent story line and you can't put it down! It is so intriging you just keep reading! Buy it today and, I guarantee you'll love it!
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