JONAS WILDE

       Jonas Wilde is an assassin for the British Elimination Squad.
       Born in Santiago, Chile, Wilde was the son of a father who worked for a British bank and of a mother from Manchester, New Hampshire. Little of his childhood is known until he is called up to serve in National Service. His duty in Korea saw him working as a Commando. In this field of duty, he rose three times to the rank of Sergeant but each time lost that NCO position, wine and women being the principle downfalls.
       One particular action during the war brought him to the attention of the clandestine agencies. One night with a jammed rifle, he found himself sharing a foxhole with three enemy soldiers bent on his death. Unarmed, he was the only one to leave alive.
       Soon, he was approached and with no fanfare, he was gone from Korea and gone from a 'normal' life.
       Based on the time table mentioned in the first book, Wilde would have been around 27 when he was recruited and 37 when the first story starts.
       Jonas Wilde does not like guns. He is not particularly fond of knives. His hands are his primary weapons and with them he has eliminated over 25 enemies of the British government before the first book.
       Wilde's hobbies are women, drink, sailing, and chess, usually although not always in that order. He will not turn down a cigarette but would choose a cigar if given the opportunity. He prefers mixed drinks, and some quite unusual ones, to straight drinks or beer.
       Wilde is described as a big man, long-legged and broad shoulders. He has a gaunt face, a chin that juts out, and cheekbones that rise 'like granite outcroppings from a brown sand beach'. His hair is dark brown and receding. His eyes are light blue and considered 'thoughtful and deceptively mild'. His mouth is wide and when he smiled, he would be thought handsome.

       Jonas Wilde did not ever receive the attention that he was due. Able to prove repeatedly the designation as 'most dangerous man in the world', Wilde faced serious challenges and always managed to get the job done. Still, he never made it to the upper echelon of spies as far as the reading public is concerned and that is a shame.
       I read most of the series in the early to mid 70s, although the last few books were very hard to find. I reread them in the early 2000s. I will reread them again soon. They are just very, very good reads and should be on the list of every fan of spy fiction.
       I mean it! Read 'em or I will tell Jonas.