I came across and read a Columbo novel (didn't know these existed): Columbo: The game show killer. I had low expectations but was pleasantly surprised. It was a fun read. The treatment was true to the Columbo character in the TV movies in most respects. Perhaps the only characteristic that seemed out of place was that in the novel, Columbo seems to accept drinks whenever he is interviewing someone, whereas in the movies he seems to me to decline -not all, but most of the time (of the episodes I have seen, the closest movie in which Columbo's attitude toward drinking on the job is closest to the novel is the episode about the Irish author/terrorist). Has anybody else tried the novels? If yes, what are opinions? BTW, whoever is responsible for this site, kudos and thanks!
I agree that they are a fun read and capture the Columbo essence. If you read them in order, there are references to previous books.
For fans that might not know them, they were written by William Harrington, published by Tom Doherty Associates in NY - the one book I own was published in 1997 - Columbo: the glitter murder.
While I enjoyed Harrington's novels, aside from the sex and language, I think the 70's "Columbo" novels are better. The first two books are original stories, and the other four are novelizations of episodes. Also recommended is "Columbo and the Samurai (sp)Sword."