The Spy Who Hated Licorice    by Richard L. Hershatter Order:  USA  Can Mystery Writers of America, 2001 (1966) Paperback      Reviewed by Hilary Williamson Though Richard L. Hershatter wrote his witty Spy Who Hated ... series in the 60s, they're still entertaining today. The Spy Who Hated Licorice opens: 'Three weeks before graduation from law school, Rand Stannard "volunteered" to become an intelligence agent.' Rand is unusual for a law student - he did a stint in Military Intelligence, has a private pilot's license, is proficient in martial arts and small arms firing. He's also a bit of a Don Juan - all the right credentials for a spy, in fact. Needing the cash and concerned for an old friend, Rand enlists in the Defense Intelligence Agency. His assignment? To take down midget arch-villain Vladimir Riktor, who runs the mercenary Licensed Organization for International Crime and Espionage (aka Licorice) and is about to unleash a nuclear holocaust on the United States. Rand, now Secret Agent Six-X heads to Denver to gather information for DIA; 'no action and no fireworks' are expected. But the action heats up immediately. On what he believes is a wild goose chase, Rand heads straight into the clutches of the bad guys. He survives situations that would have challenged Bond, including a seven foot six inches tall ex-Nazi, and a nude Great Escape with lovely Taiwanian agent Lin, who's also a talented belly dancer. This fast-paced romp of a spy story introduced an unlikely (but surprisingly competent) student hero. If you missed the hilarious Spy Who Hated Licorice in the 60s, you really should read it now. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews