Columbo The Helter Skelter Murders
TOR Columbo Series Book 2
Forge
ISBN 9780812530261
ISBN 9780312855376
Over many months, nearly a year to be more accurate, Last year I watched the complete run of Columbo, while researching an article I wrote as an overview on the series I discovered this novel and the other 6 in the series. I also found about casebooks, and even a cookbook. I thought I would try tracking down these books and give them a try. They do not disappoint. It was almost like watching an episode, his mannerisms, his process, and even his favourite foods. This was the second of 6 I have read in the series. I cannot see any fan of the series not enjoying this book, and if the other 5 in the series are a good I am in for some great reads!
The description of this book states:
“The wife of a wealthy Los Angeles businessman is found murdered in her bed with her lover, with the words Helter Skelter painted in blood on the walls. Columbo, America's favorite TV detective, must ask himself whether the horror of the Manson himself is ordering a fresh new round of atrocities from his San Quentin prison cell?
To solve this case Columbo will have to face evil incarnate: the madman known simply as "Charlie."”
Another description is:
“When the wife of a wealthy Los Angeles department store owner and her lover are found murdered in bed, with the words Helter Skelter painted in blood on the walls, Columbo wonders if one of history's most infamous killers--Charles Manson--is ordering a new round of atrocities from his San Quentin prison cell.”
This story starts in an interesting way. In the typical Columbo manner we soon witness the murder and know who the perpetrators are and how they did it. From the beginning there is some obvious suspects, but Columbo knows that the easiest answer is not always the right answer. For example:
““In other words, it’s not as simple as it seems?”
“In my line of work,” said Columbo, “you’ve got to be careful about the easy and simple answers. Not many things are easy and simple. On the other hand, it’s foolish to overcomplicate. Y’ know? Sometimes the simple and obvious is the answer.”
Benjamin Willsberger smiled, whether knowingly or condescendingly, or both, would have been difficult to tell. “I said I wanted to talk to you. You said you wanted to talk to me. Suppose you tell me first what you wanted to ask me,” he said.”
Columbo also later states:
““I just wanted to show you what I mean when I say the case is not as simple as it looks,” said Columbo. “Believe me, sir, I lay awake nights, running the facts around in my head, trying to make sense of them.””
Watching Columbo pull all the threads and eliminate some suspects, raise more and more concerns about others, and finding other connections was just as fascinating as watching the show. The tie in to Charles Manson and Charles Girls was an intriguing use in the story. Also the look into those who knew Manson but were not part of the crew that night, mention of those who have drifted away, hangers on, late comers, and the die hards still devoted to Manson was fascinating.
While researching for the review of the first volume in this series I discovered that there were also 6 Columbo novels in the 1970; 2 new stores and 4 novelizations of episodes and also a collection called The Columbo Collection of 12 stories by William Link. These 6 novels came out overlapping with the 6 of the last 8 episodes of the TV Movie Special Era. And if this one had been filmed I believe it would have been a very popular episode.
A great read for fans of the series or Charles Manson buff’s and for those who just like a good mystery. I can easily recommend this book and series.
Books about Peter Falk or Columbo:
Columbo Phile - A Casebook - Mark Dawidziak
Cooking With Columbo Suppers With The Shambling Sleuth - Jenny Hammerton
Shooting Columbo - David Koenig
The Columbo Companion, 1968-78: Investigating Every Detail of All 45 'Classic Era' Columbo Adventures - The Columbophile
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Columbo Books:
A Christmas Killing - Alfred Lawrence
The Dean's Death - Alfred Lawrence
Any Old Port in a Storm - Henry Clements
By Dawn's Early Light - Henry Clements
Murder by the Book - Lee Hays
A Deadly State of Mind Book - Lee Hays
The Columbo Collection – William Link
…
Columbo Novels by William Harrington:
Grassy Knoll (1993)
The Helter Skelter Murders (1994)
The Hoffa Connection (1995)
The Game Show Killer (1996)
The Glitter Murders (1997)
The Hover Files (1998)
…
Other Books by William Harrington:
Which the Justice, Which the Thief (1963)
The Power (1964)
aka The Gospel of Death
Yoshar the Soldier (1966)
aka One Over One
The Search for Elisabeth Brandt (1968)
Trial (1970)
The Jupiter Crisis (1971)
Mister Target (1974)
Scorpio 5 (1975)
Partners (1980)
The English Lady (1982)
Skin Deep (1983)
The Cromwell File (1986)
Oberst (1987)
For the Defense (1988)
Virus (1990)
Endgame in Berlin (1991)
Town on Trial (1994)
Murder at the President's Door (2001)
with Elliott Roosevelt published posthumously.
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