Jay J. Armes, Investigator: The World's Most Successful Private Eye

Recently I rediscoverd Jay J. Armes. I remember him from the 1970's when his toy action figure and mobile investigation unit were released by the Ideal Company. I purchased his book "Jay J. Armes Investigator (by Jay J. Armes as told to Frederick Nolan)" from a used vendor and read it in one sitting. It was great. The stories are related to the reader in a very comfortable manner and flow from one to the other as if from the lips of a master storyteller. I was hooked and loved it! I must admit that I was disappointed the book ended after only 234 pages. I wanted more. Being a natural skeptic I had to do some research on Mr. Armes and came across an article published in January 1976 by Texas Monthly Magazine entitled "Is Jay J. Armes For Real?" by reporter Gary Cartwright. Cartwright solidly debunked Jay Armes's claim as "the world's most successful private eye," but in terms of self-promotion and aggrandizement I give Mr. Armes credit where credit is due. Well done. I rate this book at five stars as a very good read and recommend it for anyone interested in the field of private investigation.