THE PEARL HARBOR MURDERS
By Max Allan Collins
Thomas & Mercer
213 pgs
Collins’ story begins on the 5th of December, 1941 in Honolulu, Hawaii, where famed writer Edgar Rice Burroughs resides with one of his sons, Hulbert “Hully.” Tensions on the island are high, as recent political events indicate the high probability of a war with Japan. Still, most of the Army and Navy’s commanding brass were unwilling to believe that the fleet anchored at Pearl Harbor could be the target of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Burroughs, and a few of his friends, believe otherwise, seeing the obvious vulnerability of all those fighting ships crammed together in one harbor. Never mind the various army airbases across the island having their aircraft lined up side by side like ducks in a shooting gallery at the circus.
The one distraction in this charged atmosphere is the plight of two young lovers. Bill Fielder, a sailor aboard the U.S.S. Arizona, is in love with a band singer of Japanese descent named Pearl Harada and wants to marry her. Being one of Hully’s friends, he confesses his father, an Army General, is racist and will most likely object to him marrying the girl. Meanwhile, Pearl approaches Burroughs senior, requesting he help her get an audience with Bill’s father. Burroughs agrees, feeling genuine sympathy for the couple. But before this can happen, Pearl is murdered on the beach outside his bungalow.
At first Burroughs and their son believe her death was the result of the romance. Still, as they begin to investigate, they come to suspect Pearl may have been aware of certain espionage activities by other Japanese residents—enough to get her killed.
Once again, Collins spins a gripping mystery set against one of history’s most infamous moments, the attack on Pearl Harbor. Beginning his tale two days earlier, Collins can build the suspense by moving forward through time until the dawn of the 7th, the “Day of Infamy” and then he powerfully depicts the actual attack and its devastating destruction of the U.S. fleet and death of thousands of Americans, but military and civilian. Amidst this chaos, the creator of Tarzan closes in on a brutal killer. An ironic counterpoint to the destruction unfolding all around him.
“The Pearl Harbor Murders” is brilliant. Not only for its historical setting, but Collins deft portrayal of one of the most beloved and cherished American writers of all time. The book is a treat we recommend it soundly.
