This is a top-notch, excellent novel with rich, deeply- drawn characters, a fascinating plot, and lots of action. The storyline takes the reader from the high mountains of New Mexico to the Florida marinas to the sun-drenched Bahamas and even to the dreaded Bermuda Triangle.

If you haven't read a Helm novel before, be prepared for the most realistic, hardboiled secret agent you've ever encountered. Helm knows what it takes to get the job done and even notes that there have to be brave men and women willing to execute their missions for our society to survive. In his world, there are no hostages to save and he is expected to take whatever actions are necessary.

There was a five-year gap between the publication of the previous Helm novel and this one. You don't need to read any previous Helm books (18 of them) to either understand or enjoy this story. Nevertheless, this story, more so than other Helm novels, harkens back to include a number of characters from his past. Perhaps Hamilton was starting to draw the series to a close -- although he went on to write seven more in the series.

This novel in some ways reminded me of John MacDonald's McGee series both in the in -depth analysis of some of the characters and how here Helm does indeed tend to some wounded sparrows. The novel also includes a houseboat in a Florida Marina and various nautical adventures. None of this detracts from the story. It simply at times has a different pace from the usual Helm novel.
Hamilton throws a lot in this novel including pirates at sea, journalists and what they'll stoop to, gangsters, politicians, environmentalists, fueling agencies .....

All in all, simply a terrific novel, perhaps even a standout among the Helm novels. ( )

In "The Terrorizers" (1983), Matt Helm suffers an injury that left him with amnesia. Although he regained his memory before the end of the novel, there was no new Matt Helm adventure until this 1986 entry in the series. "The Revengers" is bigger than any previous Helm adventure. It has more than twice the page count of the early 6-s Helms and the extra pages are filled with plot--enough plot for 4 other books. In the course of the new adventure, Helm must first discover who killed a former agent. The search for the truth leads him to a reporter who is threatening to expose Mac's organization. Rather than order a hit on the reporter, Mac tells Helm to protect the lady in question. While protecting her, Helm is also trying to discover who is responsible for the deaths of some of his former lovers. Add to this, the reporter is also investigating the latest ship disappearances, drawing Helm into that adventure. Throw in some of the interagency rivalries I enjoy so much and you've got a top-notch adventure. This book is jam-packed and rewards Matt Helm's faithful fans. ( )

Old home week, indeed. Quite a few characters from past books come together in a flurry of non-stop action as Helm plays bodyguard to a nosy reporter who is writing an exposé on him & his organization. Helm as a bodyguard is a complete reversal from his usual role, but he handles it well, even as he bucks interference from another government agency.

Hamilton's boating experience shines through in this book. While Helm doesn't know much about boats of any kind, Hamilton was an expert & the plot of this book is near & dear to many a sailor's heart. "The big bastards think they own the ocean." Enough said...

On to the next book, [b:The Annihilators|2001129|The Annihilators (Matt Helm, #20)|Donald Hamilton|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51G46g5bvyL._SL75_.jpg|2004981]! ( )