Hamilton's Matt Helm series is written the way espionage novels should all be written. No fancy gadgets, flying cars, or exploding umbrellas. But what you get is tough, hard nosed, no nonsense tactics about a guy who knows he has to do the dirty work if he's going to keep this country safe. That means don't fall for any hostage taking, understanding that you may be sacrificed, and that everywhere you look could be a trap.

The Frighteners is one of the best of a top-notch series. It b gins with Helm taking a bridegroom's place as the happy couple drive off to their honeymoon in Mexico and leads Helm to armed revolutionaries, deadly assassins, hikes through forbidding territory, gets him shot, captured, and seduced by morevthan one heartbreaker. There's no book on who to trust, whose going to pull a double cross, and wha his ultimate goal in this is.

This story is chock full of action, thrills, gunfire, and is absolutely unquestionably worth your time to read. ( )

Good basic story, but the narrative kept eroding my ability to care about the characters. The writing is mediocre ( )

Most of the Matt Helm books have a fairly twisted plot, but this one has a bit more than usual. It's a great action read with some excellent characters & wonderful scenery as only Hamilton can describe it.

On the other hand, there are some elements that are being ridden a bit too hard. It's a good thing Helm has a hard head. He gets whacked or takes glancing shots to it almost every book.

Possibly over used, although I still like it, is Helm's constant struggles with idealists, many who work for the same government he does. Hamilton seems to have a thing about idealists who lose sight of the big picture. I agree completely, so enjoy his slaps at them.

On to the next book (next to the last!) [b:The Threateners|1085488|The Threateners (Matt Helm, #26)|Donald Hamilton|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1248436363s/1085488.jpg|1072259] ( )