Robert Colby (–2006)

I was fascinated to see that this book was in Ernest Hemingway's library--but of course, that doesn't mean he had read it. Who wants a library with nothing but books you've already read?

I remember Colby mainly from his stories in the various Alfred Hitchcock anthologies, and years ago, I read his book "Murder Times Five", which I don't recall being as good as this one. This is a truly nasty tale of three ex-Servicemen who plan to rob and kill their Captain after 12 years. Why they have to show more wait 12 years, you'll have to read the book to find out, as I don't want to provide any spoilers. Colby effectively delivers the back story in segments as his focus shifts between the ex-Captain, now a wealthy businessman, his wife, and the three men who are out to get him. The focus of the story isn't on the plotting of the crimes, though these are detailed well enough, but on the thought processes of all the main characters. Colby delivers a lot of psychological explanations here - and many of them ring true, at least to someone of my stunted emotional development! This rather short book holds your attention throughout and delivers a hell of an ending. Recommended. show less

A terrific pulpish detective novel. Rod Striker and Myra Bailey are private investigators in Miami. A rich older lady who happens to be a multimillionaire hires Striker. Seems her niece, the irresistible Kim, met a shark who runs strip joints and gambling boats. Now she can't get rid of Tarino whose threatening her fiancé and her aunt. The aunt wants Striker to take the mobster In a back alley and teach him a lesson. Kim is in an electric field all her own. Even her touch was electric. She show more admitted she was a bit nympho and proved it. This is a well- written and well crafted story that reads very quickly. Private
investigators, mobsters, heiresses, gunfights, and other intrigue are all
here. One of the interesting storytelling devices that Colby uses is that
about midway through the book he switches viewpoints and tells the
tale from Myra's point of view. All in all, one great read. show less

This book starts in the middle of the action and then gives you the background. However, once you get past the confusing beginning, there's quite a story here. Two guys in the navy ( Gordy Steadman and
Todd Corwin) meet a girl ( Julie) at a dance. She alternately dates both and they both fall for her. After a whirlwind romance, Gordy marries her. While he's away on assignment, Julie is killed in what's said to be a hit and run, but the circumstances are strange and the eyewitnesses (the show more Lanskys) are forced to leave town. Seems the car involved
belonged to a family ( the Vollmers) that owns the town and everyone in it.

Gordy returns from active duty overseas to find out Julie's dead and, when he investigates, his shooting is declared a suicide. Todd now investigates, but no one has the balls to tell him what went on except for a former cop who got forced into retirement for asking too many questions.

Todd manages to meet the Vollmers and stay at their cottage, but he can never be sure if they know who he is or his
connection to the people who were killed.
Gail Vollmer is the voluptuous daughter. Her stepmother Joy is just two years older than her, likes the same men, and often sunbathes without a stitch on. She
is an animal just waiting to be uncaged. Matt Vollmer, the brother, jokes around with loaded guns. Yet, Todd knew that, if they meant to kill you, they would and nothing could stop them.

Recommended show less

Brutal story of a man trying to help his ex-fiancee recover $200, 000 missing after her husband's death. Competently written by old pro Colby, but too many loose ends - such as why the husband died - and not much mystery, since halfway through he backtracks and tells you the story of how the husband came to have the money to begin with, turning the mystery into a suspense novel. Took me a while to figure out the meaning of the title after I finished this one, then realized it had to do with show more connecting hotel rooms. show less