A Taste for Death

A Taste for Death is the fourth novel in Peter O'Donnell's Modesty Blaise series, published in 1969. The story begins when blind vacationer Dinah Pilgrim is kidnapped in Panama after witnessing her sister's murder, drawing former criminals-turned-agents Modesty Blaise and Willie Garvin into a dangerous pursuit. The action moves from Panama to England and ultimately to the Sahara Desert as Modesty and Willie face off against two formidable adversaries - the ruthless criminal Gabriel and the frighteningly strong Simon Delicata. The plot centers on rescuing Dinah while navigating deadly traps, sword fights, and brutal hand-to-hand combat. The novel combines elements of espionage, action-adventure, and psychological thriller, exploring themes of loyalty, revenge, and the complex morality of those who operate in the shadows of society.

Readers consistently call this one of the best books in the Modesty Blaise series, with praise for its intense action sequences and emotional depth. Reviews note it maintains high suspense while expanding character development. What readers liked: - Complex, layered villain - Tighter pacing than previous books - Development of Willie Garvin's character - Scenes in the Chilean desert - Balance of action and character moments What readers disliked: - Some found the opening chapters slow - Violence level too high for some readers - Plot relies on coincidences - Less humor than other books in series Ratings: Goodreads: 4.19/5 (246 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (31 ratings) "The character exploration goes deeper than in any previous book" - Goodreads reviewer "Perfect blend of action and psychological elements" - Amazon review "Can be read as a standalone but rewards series fans" - LibraryThing reviewer

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🔹 Peter O'Donnell created Modesty Blaise first as a comic strip character in 1963 for the London Evening Standard before expanding her story into novels 🔹 The character of Modesty Blaise was partially inspired by encounters O'Donnell had with a young refugee girl while serving in Persia during World War II 🔹 "A Taste for Death" (1969) was adapted into a graphic novel and has influenced several modern female action hero narratives 🔹 The series pioneered strong female action protagonists in spy fiction during an era when most thriller heroes were male, predating characters like La Femme Nikita 🔹 The Modesty Blaise novels were so popular that they inspired a 1966 film starring Monica Vitti, though O'Donnell was famously dissatisfied with the adaptation