Thomas F. (hardtack) -
An outstanding historical mystery with private detective Nate Heller joining the Marines to fight in World War II. After being seriously wounded, he returns to Chicago attempting to stay alive in another 'jungle,' where death is as much present as it was on Guadalcanal.
Author Max Collins does an excellent job writing in numerous historical figures who figure in Heller's life.
Author Max Collins does an excellent job writing in numerous historical figures who figure in Heller's life.
Frank H. (perryfran) reviewed The Million-Dollar Wound (Nathan Heller, Bk 3) on + 1194 more book reviews
This is the third novel in Collins' Nate Heller series and the third of the Frank Nitti trilogy. In this one, Nate starts out in a hospital with amnesia, not knowing who he is or why he is in the hospital. Then with the help of hypnotism, he remembers his experiences on Guadalcanal with his friend, boxer Barney Ross during WWII and that he is a detective from Chicago. The book goes on to describe the horrors of Guadalcanal and then flashes back to before the war and Nate's being paid to get involved in the rackets of the unions in Hollywood where the mob is using the unions to extort money. This operation is supposedly being run by Frank Nitti, the mobster who took over the Chicago gangs from Al Capone. Robert Montgomery, the actor wants Nate to infiltrate the mob so they eventually can let go of the unions in Hollywood. Along the way, Nate also is reunited with Sally Rand, the burlesque dancer and others from the previous excellent novels, True Dectective and True Crime.
When he returns from the war, he is called to testify against the mob in Chicago although he is very reluctant to do so. Although Nitti is the mob boss, Nate has always respected him. This was a very good novel combining historical fact and fiction. Most of the characters in the book were actual people and Collins weaves a very real-life story that I would highly recommend. I'll be reading more in the Nate Heller series!
When he returns from the war, he is called to testify against the mob in Chicago although he is very reluctant to do so. Although Nitti is the mob boss, Nate has always respected him. This was a very good novel combining historical fact and fiction. Most of the characters in the book were actual people and Collins weaves a very real-life story that I would highly recommend. I'll be reading more in the Nate Heller series!
