THE MAN FROM C.A.M.P.

       Jackie Holmes is an agent for C.A.M.P.
       That organization, the meaning for the acronym never being revealed, is a private group working world-wide in conjunction with official government agencies to root out those groups who most pose a threat to homosexuals. The leadership of this fairly secret bureau is known as the High Camp (without the periods) but whether that is just one person or, more likely, a committee, is uncertain. What is known is that the offices for C.A.M.P. are all over the globe, hidden from view so as to be able to do the job without publicity. One of its main headquarters is beneath Lafayette Park in D.C., across the street from the White House and, in the 60s, a known hangout for homosexuals.
       Holmes is one of C.A.M.P.'s best agents and one willing to head anywhere the need arises. He is traditionally stationed in Los Angeles but it is very common for him to jump on a private jet and head to who-knows-where to fight the enemies of C.A.M.P. and homosexuals everywhere.
       Holmes is a millionaire, inheriting lots when his parents died when he was a teenager, who, when he is not going up against homophobic enemies, enjoys vintage cars. He is of slightly less than average height (5'6"), slender, blond, rakishly handsome, and has exceptional strength and dexterity that he calls upon quite a lot to get out of scrapes and into the beds of fellow agents, many of whom are not gay before they meet him. He is described as very intelligent and possessing a keen sense of humor. He has a fair number of relatives (aunts) who help him out from time to time and who each enjoys his or her own forms of eccentricities.
       The groups that Holmes and C.A.M.P. go up against are varied but chief among them is B.U.T.C.H., or Brothers United To Crush Homosexuality. That group causes trouble for Holmes on several occasions but it not the only one.
       Holmes is serious about his work and dedicated to the task at hand but is playful enough to take time to tease, cajole, charm, and ultimately seduce the different government agents he works with in each book, all of whom are initially phobic about his life style but come around eventually.

       The tongue of the author was firmly in cheek when he penned these many tales of adventure and thrills about Jackie Holmes and the enemies of homosexuality that he must combat. The books were written to amuse and titillate the reader as the character will quite often stray from his task to have sex with whomever might be willing. In the 60s the sex would have been outrageous but reads now as tame.
       Wikipedia has a terrific article about this series and points out that the author admitted that each book took just a few days to write and never enjoyed anything like editting or even reviewing. Still, the author was pretty good at his job and though the books' main purpose was to promote pruriance, he does come up with entertaining plots and fun characters to get to know.
       It is interesting that the publisher took the opportunity to create related items such as a cookbook and a self-help book, purportedly written by one of Holmes' aunts. It is even more fascinating that forty years after the books were published, they enjoyed renewed interest, enough to warrant two omnibus editions and several re-releases.

My Grade: C

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