Bloody Sunrise

Spillanes “Tiger Mann” Book 2.
This differs from his Mike Hammer books in that it isn't gumshoe detective based fiction, but a cold-war spy vs spy, where America must overcome the commies at all costs. Tiger Mann works for a private agency which, essentially, is prepared to do what the government agencies can't do. This involves wanton destruction and murder, torture, making deals and giving bribes.
Tiger Mann himself? 1960's testosterone overload, the man men want to be and women want to have - albeit probably for a short time, due to his unbearable ego!

For me, this was a step up from book one of the series. That one had a really obvious storyline, and some real obvious blind-spots in Tiger's thinking - too annoying. At least in this one he came across as slightly cleverer, although still flawed as some of his mistakes are explained in the closing pages. The ultimate conclusion was fairly obvious - but I will refrain from discussing, except to say the reveal had already taken place before the obvious bit, so it read much better than #1.

The story starts on Tiger's wedding day, and just as he was about to hand in his resignation, the agency needs him - its big, and (of course) nobody else can handle it. Tiger has to put off his big day, tell his fiancée, and run about saving the day. Russian assassins / spies, political fallout, Geiger counters, a guy he once saved from something or other gets in touch to discuss something fishy on the boat he works on (?? not the strongest storyline, right); sexy Russian defector, unsexy but knowledgeable Russian scientist defector, the unhappy FBI, the angry police, almost all of whom are out to get Tiger (in one way or another).

So, yes very sexist, very misogynistic, very 1960s. Certainly don't engage any belief sensors before reading, but a fun enough light read.

3 stars