Tawny Simone

First things first: This book is not 'canon' -- meaning that it was released in 1995, after Robbins had tragically suffered a stroke that left him slightly aphasic, unable to use or understand words. Moreover, if you loved The Carpetbaggers, then please please please do not read this one. The Raiders completely destroys all the characters from The Carpetbaggers. No spoilers, but let's just say the lovable Monica and Joann are utterly savaged and ravaged in this one, in a manner that was completely unworthy and, for that matter, illogical considering what we already know about them. If you sympathized with Monica or Joann in the first book, then please don't read this! Ditto with the profound Nevada Smith or the classy Robair. Jonas Cord does not act like the Jonas Cord we know and love; on the contrary, he is some diluted chemical solution of his former, better self. Gone, for instance, are his endearing eccentricities, such as calling a men's room "my office" or walking around barefoot. A host of new characters are introduced -- all of them devoid of, well, character. The newfound illegitimate son Bat (related to the Cuban Batista, for some unknown reason) is just tossed into this novel's verbal salad with no purposeful or effective build-up. On the whole, this book feels as though some sneaky third party authored a transparent imitation of Harold Robbins' style -- and released the book under Harold Robbins' name to take advantage of an established author's reputation and glean some sweet royalties. Hope this helps!