Flying Blind: A Novel of Amelia Earhart

PLOT: Nate Heller, Chicago detective, finds himself recounting the memories of his own experience with the life of Amelia Earhart. Enrolled by Amelia's husband, G.P. Putnam, as an undercover detective, Heller becomes emotionally tied to Earharts' life, career and the risky business that comes with it. Later, when Earhart becomes lost during her around-the-world flight, he takes on a mission of his own; to find out the truth behind it all. Type of Fiction: Mystery/Action/Adventure. Positives: Collins has a remarkable ability to write a fast-paced, twisting, and eventful novel filled with lively characters, descriptions and memorable imaging. This book is an incredible portrayal of an Amelia Earhart theory, definitely showing that the author has done research. Negatives: The author put to use the characteristics of a stereotypical detective when constructing Nate Heller, the main character. I also found it full of crude humour and subject - which is mostly a fault that my own opinions fail to dismiss. However, I don't find that it diminishes the plot - only subtracts slightly from my own enjoyment while reading. Recommend? Definitely! This book, despite its negatives, is an incredibly written and thoroughly researched gem for those who are interested in mystery, Amelia Earhart, or aviation history. Having done research on Earhart, I would recommend this highly if you're looking for a basic introduction, or imagery for remembrance. Age Range: 14+ - Sexual scenes, discussion and crude humor. Where/When to Read: Well, I suggest waiting til after your air flight. Other than that, rain or shine, inside or out, I think you'll enjoy this novel. Happy Reading!

Having read all of Collins' Nate Heller casebooks, I would rank this one as fitting into the top 5 or so. Not as snappy as the early Chicago-based ones and certainly nowhere close to the pinacle of the series Stolen Away (about the Lindbergh kidnapping), this book still has all of the best features of these books: Great background, terrific characters, funny dialogue, ample sex (using charmingly veiled language without lapsing into cute-ness), and a plausible plot that finds our man in the midst of one of the 20th Centuries best mysteries. If you haven't read a Heller book, seek out True Crime and True Detective, then jump to Stolen Away and then come here. You'll be glad you did.

The title could be 'Swept Away' as the writer sweeps you into a another place and time. His use of real people in history is fasinating, and by inserting his fictional 'hero' Nathan Heller, a cynical former Chicago cop, into these people's live's a sign of real writing ability. Nathan gets involved ( in more ways then one) with Amelia Earhart. He's hired by Amelia's husband to watch over her and to try to figure out who is sending her threatening notes. Sounds simple enough, but as the tale unfolds, and things begin to unravel for Nate, nothing is as simple as it first appears. The writing is crisp and biting, the historical character's alive and human. Highly recomended...

Max Allan Collins has written a delicious take on one of the 20th century's greatest mysteries, the disappearance of Amelia Earhart. Collins has probed deeply for the facts and theories behind this still-fascinating event, and has constructed a meticulous piece of prose that manages to encompass ALL known theories in some fashion, even fashioning attributing real heroism to the little-known Fred Noonan, Amelia's navigator and companion on that last flight. The characters themselves behave just as we imagine they should, given what we know of their actual personalities. Not only is this a page-turner, it's hard to find a moment that does not ring true historically. As an author of an Earhart biography myself, I am astonished and delighted with Collins' entry into the field. If you're not an Earhart buff before reading this book, you sure will be when you're done!

By 1970, the former head of the Chicago based A-1 Detective Agency, Nathan Heller, enjoys retirement in Florida. However, his idyll relaxation ends when he meets the Texan, J.T. "Buddy" Busch. The Texan offers an opportunity for the sixty-four year old Nathan to finally learn what truly happened to his old friend, Amelia Earhart, who disappeared over the horizon over three decades ago. Nathan cannot resist looking for the aviator, who he provided security for back in 1935. Thus, Nathan steps out of retirement and begins his greatest quest of all: to learn what happened to Ms. Earhart. The ninth novel in the Heller historical mystery series is a great tale that brilliantly blends fact and reasonable speculation into a wonderful fiction novel. The research is obviously meticulous and adds authenticity to the novel, proving that Max Allan Collins is not FLYING BLIND with this tale, which ought to be required reading for history students. Nathan remains refreshing and charming, and the support cast, especially Amelia, is a welcome addition to the book. Mr. Collins is clearly one of the top writers of historical mysteries and fans of the sub-genre should read all nine Heller books for some of the best mysteries on the market today.Harriet Klausner