Buy used:
$19.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime
FREE delivery Monday, May 20 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35
Used: Acceptable | Details
Sold by -OnTimeBooks-
Fulfilled by Amazon
Condition: Used: Acceptable
Comment: Shipped fast and reliably through the Amazon Prime program! Book may contain some writing, highlighting, and or cover damage.

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) is a service we offer sellers that lets them store their products in Amazon's fulfillment centers, and we directly pack, ship, and provide customer service for these products. Something we hope you'll especially enjoy: FBA items qualify for FREE Shipping and Amazon Prime.

If you're a seller, Fulfillment by Amazon can help you grow your business. Learn more about the program.

Access codes and supplements are not guaranteed with used items.
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Max Allan Collins
+ Follow
More books from this author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Neon Mirage Hardcover – January 1, 1988

by Max Allan Collins (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 453 ratings
See all formats and editions
When the man he had been hired to protect, gambling chief James Ragen, is murdered, Nate Heller, a detective in 1946 Chicago, finds other lives in danger, including that of the woman he loves
Read more Read less
Previous page
  1. Book 4 of 19
    A Nathan Heller Novel
  2. Print length
    275 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    St Martins Pr
  5. Publication date
    January 1, 1988
  6. ISBN-10
    9780312014841
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0312014841
  8. See all details
Next page
The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The fourth chronicle of Collins's Nate Heller (True Detective et seq.) is set in Chicago and Las Vegas in 1946. When a gangster shoots the private detective's client, gambler James Ragen, Heller assigns himself to investigate the case. During his sleuthing, Heller meets and falls in love with Ragen's niece, Peggy Hogan. She's one of the few fictional characters in the nostalgic story that features real people and parallels actual incidents of the times. The assault on Ragen is a minor part of the events when Heller and Peggy become involved with Ben ("Bugsy") Siegel, Virginia Hill and other notorious mob figures in Las Vegas. Generating suspense, the author describes Siegel's murder with the detective at the scene and details the shaky beginnings of the Flamingo Hotel, Siegel's unrealized dream of a luxury mecca for gamblers. There is such immediacy in narrator Heller's voice that the reader doesn't need the afterword about the novel's historic base.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ 0312014848
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ St Martins Pr; 1st edition (January 1, 1988)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 275 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 9780312014841
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0312014841
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1 pounds
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 453 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Max Allan Collins

Max Allan Collins

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Max Allan Collins is a New York Times bestselling author of original mysteries, a Shamus award winner and an experienced author of movie adaptions and tie-in novels. His graphic novel ROAD TO PERDITION was made into a major motion picture by Tom Hanks's production company, Playtone.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
453 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

John S
5.0 out of 5 stars Great noir detective story and historical fiction blended together
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2023
Verified Purchase
If you like old fashioned detective stories and historical fiction you'll love this book and series.

The story begins in Chicago where against his better judgment Heller hires on to body guard a friend that is afraid the Chicago Mob is out to kill him. Even with Heller guarding him he is shot in his car while driving home. Heller following behind exchanges fire with the shooters and drives his friend to the hospital who despite receiving several blasts from a shotgun survives the shooting. Other things happen while Heller guards him in the hospital but I will leave it to you to find out about that when you read the book.

Heller then ends up in Las Vegas where he works for a brief time for Bugsy Siegel helping to train his security force before the grand opening of the Flamingo.

Another great book in this series.
Helpful
 Report
RSRS
4.0 out of 5 stars Not the Bellagio, but you have to start somewhere.
Reviewed in the United States on September 15, 2012
Verified Purchase
I wasn't sure I'd enjoy reading about Mob politics, graft, and murder. But I tried Max Allan Collins' "True Detective," since it was about Chicago in the Capone and post-Capone era. It rated 4 stars, so I was ready to tackle another Collins book. This one didn't disapppoint, and I may become a true Mob junky, particularly since the two books I've tackled so far have involved historical as well as fictional characters. But perhaps the main reason I chose this book is that it's about the birth of Las Vegas. Well, the book takes place both in Chicago and Las Vegas, but it's interesting to see how Mob tentacles reach (or sometimes don't reach) across the U.S., from New York to LA.

I knew that Bugsy Siegel was gunned down in LA, shortly after he established Las Vegas' first mega-resort, the Flamingo. But I didn't really know much about the story behind the killing, and that part of the book was very interesting, as well as the way Bugsy took charge of every detail in the casino's development. Also, just the way the Mob operates, and how it has its own rules of conduct that are generally (although not always) observed, is fascinating.

I like the inevitable private dectective, Nathan Heller, also, and look forward to his continuing adventures. Needless to say, he is flawed, but generally comes out on the right side of the law and of the good guys. Two women spice up the action, one being Bugsy's girl, who is a true Mobster herself.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
D. Hurd
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but I'm disappointed...
Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2012
Verified Purchase
I liked the story, just like I liked all the other Nate Heller novels. What's disappointing to me is the physical book itself. I first got introduced to Nate Heller when I wandered into a bookstore where Max Collins happened to be signing. Since he's from a town about 10 miles from my hometown and my mom knew his dad, I thought what the heck. The book was Carnal Hours, and I loved it. I've bought every Nate Heller book since. Unfortunately, the first four books were out of print when I realized I wanted them. I managed to get ahold of all but this one until now. Boy was I happy when I ordered it. And then the big disappointment - it's a weird size and doesn't fit in with the rest of my set. I had no way of knowing that when I ordered. So get the book if you want a good read, but be aware that it's not going to fit on your shelf with your other Heller books.
2 people found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
BlueRose
3.0 out of 5 stars As Expected- Nothing More
Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2012
Verified Purchase
If you enjoy this genre, you will probably like this book. All the expected character names are there such as "Bugsy" and "Two Gun Pete". The storyline was like any other dimestore detective novel; gangsters, girls, patsys, etc. Some research errors jumped out at me: Like the hero flying from Chicago's Midway airport in 1946 when it wasn't called Midway until 1949 and having the hero's girlfriend wearing an Eishenhower jacket when those didn't become fashionable until 1950 or so. The opposite of a page-turner for me, it took me weeks to finish it because I'd read 10-15 minutes then put it down for days. Ok. I might even read another in the series. But definitely nothing new or exciting here.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
David I. Williams
4.0 out of 5 stars Heller meets Siegel
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2013
Verified Purchase
Nathan Heller is hired to guard racketeer James Ragen. Ragen has been threatened by mobsters who want to take over his gambling wires. Something goes wrong and Ragen is shot in an ambush. Complicating the matters is Ragen's niece Peggy Hogan. Peggy and Nate have a past that is unknown to her family. Peggy wants Nate to find her uncle's attackers. Heller investigates trying to locate who hired the killers. The investigation eventually leads him out west where he meets up with Virginia Hill and finally with Benjamin Siegel. Siegel has gone west with the vision of turning the sleepy town of Las Vegas into a gambling paradise. Before he knows it Heller is involved with Siegal and helping him to train his security staff to spot pickpockets and to find out why so much material is disappearing from the casino sight. Of course all of this is complicated by the lovely Peggy who Nate is completely in love with. The only trouble, she has the hots for Siegal.

The story takes place in Chicago and Las Vegas in 1946. This is great modern noir at its best. Nathan Heller does not disappoint. Pick up this volume and enjoy the gangsters, cops, private eyes, and lovely ladies from the end of the gangster era.
Helpful
 Report
Uncle Davy
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great Heller novel by Max Allan Collins
Reviewed in the United States on January 17, 2014
Verified Purchase
While I don't like this one as much as True Detective or True Crime, I still feel this is a great mystery. In fact, I kind of felt it was a crime story and not a mystery until the surprise at the end. Because of this I wasn't able to guess the ending and it took me completely by surprise. Others may be able to guess it but I wasn't able to.

The only problem I had with this was that it kind of dragged in the middle a bit. However, it really picked up after Bugsy Siegel was introduced. In fact, I couldn't put it down for the last third of the book. Finally, as I said before, I found the wrap up exciting and logical.

If you like the Nate Heller novels or hardboiled detective fiction you probably will like this one.
One person found this helpful
Helpful
 Report
N. Peters
5.0 out of 5 stars Can't praise enough.
Reviewed in the United States on September 13, 2013
Verified Purchase
This is a great read. I found it hard to put down. Great character development. Mr. Collins had great material to work with and he made the story completely alive! I was right there with Ben Seigel, George Raft,and all the rest. Can,t wait to read al of Mr. Collins' books.

100 per cent winner.

Thank you. Mr. Collins for a few. Lovely afternoons living this summer, cavorting with gangster and movie stars.
Helpful
 Report

Top reviews from other countries

Mr. Stephen F. Male
5.0 out of 5 stars Very Good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 27, 2012
Verified Purchase
I'm working my way through all the Nate Heller novels and so far not one dud. I do like the way Max Allan Colins interweaves a fictional account in a factual backdrop, no one does it better. If you like Dashiel Hammett or Raymond Chandler these are the books or you.
11 people found this helpful
 Report
GKC
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 6, 2016
Verified Purchase
First time reader. Will try another
Report
Aidan Walker
5.0 out of 5 stars MAC's usual standard
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 23, 2014
Verified Purchase
You got to read all the Nathan Heller novels, you really do. This is where Bugsy Siegel comes alive and Las Vegas grows out of the desert. MAC's usual ear for dialogue, eye for detail, nose for historical verisimilitude, mind for accurate research... top stuff. Just top.
6 people found this helpful
 Report
Redbonedog
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 10, 2015
Verified Purchase
A good read
Report
Taffy
5.0 out of 5 stars I like this man's work, very much, and will search out more by him.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 13, 2015
Verified Purchase
Yes, he has a great writing style, it kept me wanting to read more. Really enjoyed it.
One person found this helpful
 Report