The Hindenburg Murders

Another historical mystery, where Collins crafts a story of a bomb planted by the German anti-Nazi resistance movement. But that wasn't what caused the fire, however, in Collins' draft of history, but the discovery of the plot by real-life mystery writer Leslie Charteris, who flew on the maiden voyage of the Hindenburg, if not its final one. Collins does a good job of weaving fact and fiction to make plausible history and readable mystery.

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.

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.

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!

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