The Damagers is an absolute masterpiece of an espionage thriller. Published thirty-three years after the first book in the series, this 1992 book continues the excellence of the Matt Helm series, without a doubt the best, most realistic, most hardboiled spy series ever. This is the last of the series published in Hamilton's lifetime, although there is apparently one more that he came close to finishing which may eventually be published - the Dominators.

Unlike other spy series, Hamilton never made the fate of all mankind at stake in his novels. Rather, each book portrays the grim, nasty work that must be done by those men and women out there on the edge. It's grim work and there's no room for softness or sentimentality. And there are many without the stomach for what has to be done.

In this seafaring adventure, Helm doesn't quite know what his real mission is. He just knows that he has orders and there are bad guys out there and eventually he'll find out what they are up to even if he has to be the bait. Almost everything in this novel (except for a few scenes outside a Restaurant) takes place on the water and involves navigating a small craft through the Long Island Sound and eventually through the Intercoastal Waterway. Not a word or a paragraph is out of place. It's that well written.

It involves a mysterious boat, one that is perhaps jinxed, secret bands of assassins and Middle Eastern terrorists, an enchanting femme Fatale who is like a black widow spider, and much much more. It all begins with: "My crew reported for duty early in October, a strapping Viking of a girl with long blond hair. Well, I’d figured they’d send me a girl when the time came, if it came. I was supposed to be doing my best to look harmless—a tempting target for sabotage and assassination—and a man and a girl cruising together on a boat look much more vulnerable than two men, even if the girl is a tanned Brunhilde almost six feet tall." What a great opening.

All in all, a fantastic novel that I literally couldn't put down. Wish there were a dozen more Matt Helm books. ( )

The Damagers is an absolute masterpiece of an espionage thriller. Published thirty-three years after the first book in the series, this 1992 book continues the excellence of the Matt Helm series, without a doubt the best, most realistic, most hardboiled spy series ever. This is the last of the series published in Hamilton's lifetime, although there is apparently one more that he came close to finishing which may eventually be published - the Dominators.

Unlike other spy series, Hamilton never made the fate of all mankind at stake in his novels. Rather, each book portrays the grim, nasty work that must be done by those men and women out there on the edge. It's grim work and there's no room for softness or sentimentality. And there are many without the stomach for what has to be done.

In this seafaring adventure, Helm doesn't quite know what his real mission is. He just knows that he has orders and there are bad guys out there and eventually he'll find out what they are up to even if he has to be the bait. Almost everything in this novel (except for a few scenes outside a Restaurant) takes place on the water and involves navigating a small craft through the Long Island Sound and eventually through the Intercoastal Waterway. Not a word or a paragraph is out of place. It's that well written.

It involves a mysterious boat, one that is perhaps jinxed, secret bands of assassins and Middle Eastern terrorists, an enchanting femme Fatale who is like a black widow spider, and much much more. It all begins with: "My crew reported for duty early in October, a strapping Viking of a girl with long blond hair. Well, I’d figured they’d send me a girl when the time came, if it came. I was supposed to be doing my best to look harmless—a tempting target for sabotage and assassination—and a man and a girl cruising together on a boat look much more vulnerable than two men, even if the girl is a tanned Brunhilde almost six feet tall." What a great opening. ( )

Another good story by Hamilton. He has Helm doing what he does best, acting as a human lightening rod & Helm attracts plenty. Again Hamilton shows off his knowledge of boats & Helm does better with them, a very logical progression of skills.

This is the last published Matt Helm novel. Supposedly, Hamilton finished one more before he died, but it hasn't been published yet - if ever. There is some hope that a new Matt Helm movie will be made. If that happens, possibly the entire series will be republished along with the last one. It can't happen soon enough for me.

My latest read of the series found several books in bad shape. I believe the earlier paperbacks are originals from the 1960's, so they're almost 50 years old. Why the pages are still together is a mystery to me, but all have at least another read in them & I probably will... ( )