The Chinese Paymaster

Killmaster #24

by Nick Carter

The cold war blazes hot as Killmaster hunts a diabolically clever double agent whose betrayal has set America up for a takeover.

The US government is concerned that several of its covert military operations and diplomatic initiatives are being exposed resulting in the deaths of military personnel and allies and compromising foreign policy.

AXE has traced the source of the leaks to a communist Chinese plot to bribe senior government officials. The paymaster’s identity is unknown but AXE has discovered that the information and foreign currency required to support his activities are being moved around the world via charter flights operated by a specialist tour company. Carter is ordered to join the next international tour and identify the paymaster.

Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Nick Carter is a house pseudonym used by Award, Ace, and later Jove, publishing for the series Nick Carter who later graduated to a special agent for the Killmaster novels, a series of 261+ spy adventures published from 1964 until late 1990s.

A great number of writers have written under the pen-name over the years, beginning in September 1886 when Nick Carter first appeared in the 'New York Weekly' in a 13-week serial, entitled 'The Old Detective's Pupil; or, The Mysterious Crime of Madison Square'.

The Nick Carter character was originally conceived by Ormond G. Smith, the son of one of the founders of Street & Smith, and realized by John R. Coryell.

Reviews

[Jeff Tankersley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is 1967 and a Chinese spy operation has landed a triple-attack on US interests that puts super agent Nick Carter on a mission to assassinate one of the network architects, code-named "the Chinese Paymaster" (1967). As Nick skips across Europe and Asia hunting this double-agent, his cover is blown and the Chinese in turn designate him a Festered Lilly, which means a target for death.

This is the 24th installment of the Nick Carter Killmaster series and it was ghost-written by Nicholas Browne. Nick Carter the author is a pseudonym used by several authors writing for the series, with Nick Carter also being the name of the protagonist character, a superhero American James Bond-style agent.

Verdict: "The Chinese Paymaster" is actually kind of good; a fun take on a James Bond meets Pan Am Airlines-style world-crossing adventure during the Cold War.

Jeff's Rating: 3 / 5 (Good)
movie rating if made into a movie: R

[Josh Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly above the normal Carter book, interesting sub characters and a nice little mystery with a ton of red herrings in a globe trotting tale. Of course it's typical in Nick getting all the girls and a lot of intrigue and bad spots for Carter that he barely gets out of. Though in this long running series you expect that and look forward too it.

Recommended for fans of the series, again an above average example but not the best. Though typical enough where it would not be a bad one to start with either.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good spy thriller, and an entertaining read. Airport security was a lot different in the 60s, lets just leave it at that.

Hilariously, the page headings in the first printing say it's "The Red Chinese Paymaster" while the title page and cover list the regular title.

[Bob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical pulp thriller although this one is a bit more updated than some of the other ones have read. Useful for fillers when between books. Nick is off trying to track down the master paymaster who is moving money and buying up intelligence smuggled out of the US and upsetting diplomatic strategies.
ISBN - 9780426015482, Suspense, Pages - 157, Print Size - R, Rating - 3
All books reviewed are from the library or purchased by the reviewer.

[Little Timmy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice rewrite of an old Pulp character. Recast more in the James Bond spy mode. Good quick men's adventure read. If you are looking for some fast paced action and adventure then this is a recommended read.

[Jeff Hurst · Rating 3 out of 5]

An American James Bond