Matt Helm - Death of a Citizen

Obviously this was written in the late 60s and the sensibilities are a little dated. However, it was thoroughly enjoyable and suspenseful. I am definitely going to read the next in the series.

I've read two other Matt Helm books and found one exceptional and one marginal. This book is okay, but I found the plot totally unbelievable (and we know how print can make the improbable look possible), and early on I almost cut my losses and did not read it. But I stuck with it and it got better. Still I wouldn't advise anyone to pay full price for this as it is only worth the money if you get to read it for free.

I have been deep into the James Bond series. I only have one left to read and it's been terrific. However this Matt Helm guy is an awesome character and this book felt grittier than a Bond novel. It felt a lot more like Dashiell Hamett's The Maltese Falcon with the language that was used. The book really flowed well and I would definitely recommend it to any fan of a spy novel or crime thriller. I plan on reading more Matt Helm!!

I think it was 1987. I was traveling in the panhandle of Florida and I had stumbled across a used book store. The owner and I talked about my favorite authors and he mentioned Donald Hamilton was writing again. I had discovered the Matt Helm series 25 years earlier; and was excited to discover there were now new ones. I remember how excited I was to walk out with several new Donald Hamilton books in my hands. Through the years, there have been several authors whose new books I bought automatically, without thought. Only two, Donald Hamilton and John D. McDonald, never disappointed.

I remember reading a couple Matt Helm books as a kid. This one is the first of how he becomes Matt Helm or Eric. Or at least brought back into the fold. Good, quick paced story. I need to read some more

First real Matt Helm book I've ever read ... I did see the movies Dean Martin made as the character ... Must say in this book Matt Helm is all business and any light hearted hijinks are not to be found ... excellent adventure and I'm ready for the next one ...

I first read it in the late sixties and went on to read the whole series. The first one was always a favorite though and I have reread it a couple of times since. The story is pretty compelling and has been the basis for dozens of movies before and since. A man with a violent past living a peaceful life and minding his own business gets abruptly yanked back into his former world when trouble seeks him out. He proves to be the most ruthless and capable of them all. Hence, "Death of a Citizen"

I will probably buy a few more of the series on Kindle even though I actually still have the paperbacks I bought as a teenager. These are the only ones I have not thrown out in almost 50 years.

This is my first time visiting the world of Matt Helm, and I'm intrigued. The writing is crisp and to the point, the story moves along constantly, and the characters seem real. I haven't decided if I like Helm as a person, which is probably the idea! I'm eager to get the next book to learn more about this special agent and his world.

Pretty good action, but VERY dated, not surprising for the year published

The intro to Matt Helm explains how he was introduced to the special secret service not known to other departments of the government. The actions he takes is explained by him as to why he went about the way he does. Great writing.