Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
![[4 stars]](../images/spots/1_splat_40.gif)
The Hindenburg Murders
Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Max Allan Collins
Class/Genre: Mystery Historical
Series: Historicals # 2
Berkley, Jun 2000, $6.50, 272 pp.
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
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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