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All-New Wild Adventures of Doc Savage #10
Doc Savage: White Eyes
All over New York City, citizens are dropping dead, their eyes turning as white as marble, victims of the Blind Death! Drawn into the mystery, criminologist-adventurer Doc Savage discovers that a new crime lord has arisen from the Underworld--White Eyes! Dressed all in white, he inflicts the Blind Death on anyone who stands in his way. His objective--to raise the greatest criminal army in history to loot the nation!
335 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1992
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93 people want to read
About the author
Will Murray
696 books76 followersWill Murray is an American novelist, journalist, and short-story and comic-book writer. Much of his fiction has been published under pseudonyms. Will is the author of over 50 novels in popular series ranging from “The Destroyer” to “Mars Attacks”. Collaborating posthumously with the legendary Lester Dent, he has written to date nine Doc Savage novels, with “Desert Demons” and “Horror in Gold” now available. For National Public Radio, Murray adapted “The Thousand-Headed Man” for “The Adventures of Doc Savage” in 1985, and recently edited “Doc Savage: The Lost Radio Scripts of Lester Dent” for Moonstone Books. He is versed in all things pulp.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 16, 2022
The Wild Adventures of Doc Savage novel, White Eyes, is one of that continuations of the great adventurer's exploits by Will Murray. This pulp revival series, in my experience, is full of action and thrills, though subject to the same highs and lows as the original magazine tales.
This particular offering provides some of both. The first half is a fairly tense thriller with an interesting and rather macabre threat in the White Death, a mysterious ailment that seems to strike its victims down without explanation, leaving their eyes a ghostly white. The mystery, with its attendant sense of creeping dread as more and more victims are claimed, has some entertaining twists and turns, making this section of the novel quite successful.
However, in its second half, the book descends to the stock secret mastermind plot, which is one of my least favorite tropes. Nor is this tale particularly replete with possibilities for the secret identity of its chief villain. Thus, this secondary mystery is not so deep or engaging as the earlier enigma of the White Death. To be fair, the secret mastermind trope is a classic feature of the pulp genre, and especially of Doc Savage plots, though it is probably my least favorite, personally, so your mileage may vary.
This section also features Do and his crew reacting rather than acting, and the Man of Bronze's portrayal lacks some of his customary flair and competence. The great adventurer is unusually discomfited and outmaneuvered by his foe several times. While that can make for an interesting and exciting change of pace for such a yarn, especially when Doc so rarely meets his match, Murray doesn't properly capitalize on these moments, and the result feels more like Doc's failure than the villain's particular triumph. Though Doc discerns the mysteries of the piece, the final act finds him unusually passive, and this felt a little unsatisfying to me, not least because of another unusual quality of this novel.
It is a surprisingly bloodthirsty and gory offering, one of which Monk Mayfair himself might approve. Now, violence is no stranger to a Doc Savage story, though it is often of a milder and less deadly form than other examples of the genre. Despite that, this book is notable for its excesses on this score. Characters are tortured, with surprising, though not greatly disturbing, detail, and others, on both sides of the law, drop like flies in the face of the White Death or the general viciousness of the antagonists. This is one of the things that made the ending a little unsatisfying to me, as the deaths of a large number of innocents don't seem to receive the development or recompense they merit.
On the other hand, as something of a strange consolation, the uncharacteristic violence of the tale is matched with a pleasantly surprising amount of humor. Murray does have a good sense of understated humor and comedic timing, and there are several genuinely funny moments in the novel, like the way Doc and company treat the tight-lipped lady private detective, Dana O'Fall, whose constant demands for information, even as she refuses to supply any, are met with entertaining contempt and mockery.
Like the hard-nosed Miss O'Fall, there is an appropriately unique, bizarre, and memorable cast of supporting characters on display, as befits a Doc adventure. All of those figures involved with the central mystery are quirky and interesting, and even characters who appear in only one scene make quite a splash. Not all of these figures receive the development that they really need, however, and some of the curious group are introduced rather late into the adventure or explored unevenly for their significance in the plot. Most unusual of this strange band at a wall-eyed criminal with an aversion to violence and a tongue-twisted inventor with one of the more unusual patois to grace the pages of a Doc novel. In the brief and hurried time spent with the latter, Maximus Lavender, Murray provides some fair humor, and even a touch of pathos. The scant space allowed for these interesting events are indicative of the rather uneven structure of and polish of the story.
Though started promisingly and ended a bit disappointingly, White Eyes is still a fairly fun and entertaining read. And, if it offers few surprises in the villain's identity, it offers enough of unusual quality and character to be of interest to fans of the character. Murray plays with the standard formula just enough to bring longtime fans something new, in addition to the old, familiar friends.
This particular offering provides some of both. The first half is a fairly tense thriller with an interesting and rather macabre threat in the White Death, a mysterious ailment that seems to strike its victims down without explanation, leaving their eyes a ghostly white. The mystery, with its attendant sense of creeping dread as more and more victims are claimed, has some entertaining twists and turns, making this section of the novel quite successful.
However, in its second half, the book descends to the stock secret mastermind plot, which is one of my least favorite tropes. Nor is this tale particularly replete with possibilities for the secret identity of its chief villain. Thus, this secondary mystery is not so deep or engaging as the earlier enigma of the White Death. To be fair, the secret mastermind trope is a classic feature of the pulp genre, and especially of Doc Savage plots, though it is probably my least favorite, personally, so your mileage may vary.
This section also features Do and his crew reacting rather than acting, and the Man of Bronze's portrayal lacks some of his customary flair and competence. The great adventurer is unusually discomfited and outmaneuvered by his foe several times. While that can make for an interesting and exciting change of pace for such a yarn, especially when Doc so rarely meets his match, Murray doesn't properly capitalize on these moments, and the result feels more like Doc's failure than the villain's particular triumph. Though Doc discerns the mysteries of the piece, the final act finds him unusually passive, and this felt a little unsatisfying to me, not least because of another unusual quality of this novel.
It is a surprisingly bloodthirsty and gory offering, one of which Monk Mayfair himself might approve. Now, violence is no stranger to a Doc Savage story, though it is often of a milder and less deadly form than other examples of the genre. Despite that, this book is notable for its excesses on this score. Characters are tortured, with surprising, though not greatly disturbing, detail, and others, on both sides of the law, drop like flies in the face of the White Death or the general viciousness of the antagonists. This is one of the things that made the ending a little unsatisfying to me, as the deaths of a large number of innocents don't seem to receive the development or recompense they merit.
On the other hand, as something of a strange consolation, the uncharacteristic violence of the tale is matched with a pleasantly surprising amount of humor. Murray does have a good sense of understated humor and comedic timing, and there are several genuinely funny moments in the novel, like the way Doc and company treat the tight-lipped lady private detective, Dana O'Fall, whose constant demands for information, even as she refuses to supply any, are met with entertaining contempt and mockery.
Like the hard-nosed Miss O'Fall, there is an appropriately unique, bizarre, and memorable cast of supporting characters on display, as befits a Doc adventure. All of those figures involved with the central mystery are quirky and interesting, and even characters who appear in only one scene make quite a splash. Not all of these figures receive the development that they really need, however, and some of the curious group are introduced rather late into the adventure or explored unevenly for their significance in the plot. Most unusual of this strange band at a wall-eyed criminal with an aversion to violence and a tongue-twisted inventor with one of the more unusual patois to grace the pages of a Doc novel. In the brief and hurried time spent with the latter, Maximus Lavender, Murray provides some fair humor, and even a touch of pathos. The scant space allowed for these interesting events are indicative of the rather uneven structure of and polish of the story.
Though started promisingly and ended a bit disappointingly, White Eyes is still a fairly fun and entertaining read. And, if it offers few surprises in the villain's identity, it offers enough of unusual quality and character to be of interest to fans of the character. Murray plays with the standard formula just enough to bring longtime fans something new, in addition to the old, familiar friends.
January 15, 2022
When White Eyes first came out in the 1990s, I read it and enjoyed it. So this review is about my recent listen to the Radio Archives audiobook version...
and I *still* love it.
It's an engrossing tale that feels like it was written today (and technically, it was written thirty years ago) and feels completely contemporary. Unlike recent attempts to revive classic pulp characters *cough*The Shadow*cough*, this (and Will Murray's other Doc novels) could serve as a template for modern takes on pulp characters - keep the spirit, but integrate more modern thinking about the character.
Easily enjoyable in prose or audio.
and I *still* love it.
It's an engrossing tale that feels like it was written today (and technically, it was written thirty years ago) and feels completely contemporary. Unlike recent attempts to revive classic pulp characters *cough*The Shadow*cough*, this (and Will Murray's other Doc novels) could serve as a template for modern takes on pulp characters - keep the spirit, but integrate more modern thinking about the character.
Easily enjoyable in prose or audio.
September 11, 2021
This novel reads like a classic Doc story. New gadgets and intrigue with the villain uniting the New York underworld and attacking Doc and his aids in their headquarters. Some exciting stuff, and it's rare for the stories to take on such a personal note for our heroes.
My only real disappointment with the plot is a couple characters don't cooperate with Doc et al and there's no good explanation for it other than to try and create tension in the story.
Overall, if your a Doc Savage fan, this is worth your time.
My only real disappointment with the plot is a couple characters don't cooperate with Doc et al and there's no good explanation for it other than to try and create tension in the story.
Overall, if your a Doc Savage fan, this is worth your time.
April 12, 2023
Not bad. Even though the new authors try very hard to keep Robeson's writing and plotting styles going, it's not K. Robeson writing these newer series of books. I'll probably just go back to the old ones. They are crisper and more efficiently plotted, in my opinion.
September 14, 2013
A small time crook gets nabbed during a bank heist. Unfortunately for the crook, a man was killed during the robbery and a death sentence could be handed down. To save his own life, the thug cuts a deal and agrees to name the mastermind behind the bank job, but as the police are escorting him to the DA’s office he suddenly falls to the ground in convulsions and within minutes is dead. A quick examination shows that the crook’s eyes have turned a perfect and unblemished white, like cue-balls. He has just become the sixth man to die this way. The police know that a bizarre string of deaths like this warrants the aid of -- Doc Savage!
It doesn’t take Doc’s unparalleled investigative skills long to determine that there is a new criminal mastermind in town. No one really knows who he is, only that he goes by the name of White Eyes, wears only white clothing, has skin the color of porcelain, and can apparently kill with one look from his dead, white eyes. The police are baffled, the criminal element is terrified, and even Doc seems to be puzzled by the strange power of this man.
After establishing himself and his power, White Eyes finally reveals his plan. Calling together all of the top criminal minds in New York City, White Eyes offers them each a cut in what could prove to be the biggest robbery ever. It has long been rumored that Doc Savage’s vast fortune comes from a secret gold mine that he owns the rights to. The secret is out however, and with the help of his new army White Eyes aims to get his cold, white hands on it. Can even Doc Savage resist the terrible, unearthly power of White Eyes?
In his second thrilling audiobook adventure, Doc Savage gets shot, bombed, gassed, gets his car stolen, uses a mind-reading device, performs an autopsy, defends his skyscraper from a gang of murderous thugs, and hops a plane to Cuba! Will Murray has taken Lester Dent’s original outline and created an action-packed thrill-ride that is worthy of the man of bronze. Long time fans of Doc Savage will appreciate the way Will Murray remains true to Lester Dent’s original character. New fans will also enjoy White Eyes as Murray explains the origins of the Hidalgo Trading Company, Doc’s vast fortune of Aztec gold, his fortress of solitude at the north pole, and his 86th floor headquarters in New York City.
Also included in this audio production are two brief interviews with author Will Murray. In the first, Murray delves into the illustrious history of Doc Savage and gives examples of how Lester Dent shaped the character, which was actually created and owned by Street and Smith Publishers. In the second interview, Murray talks specifically about White Eyes , and how he turned Lester Dent’s original treatment into a published work. Interesting background material for new and old fans alike.
Narrator Richard Epcar was a good pick for White Eyes . The whole idea behind these Doc Savage productions is to give them the feel of an old-time radio program. Epcar achieved this with his radio-announcer voice and his melodramatic characterizations. White Eyes is narrated in 3D stereo, with Epcar’s narration coming through the center channel and his character voices coming from the right or left, putting the listener right in the middle. Add to this Radio Archive’s crystal clear reproduction technology, and you have a cinema quality extravaganza.
White Eyes is the second audio adventure in a new series from Radio Archives. I for one am looking forward to many more like it.
Steven Brandt @ Audiobook-Heaven
It doesn’t take Doc’s unparalleled investigative skills long to determine that there is a new criminal mastermind in town. No one really knows who he is, only that he goes by the name of White Eyes, wears only white clothing, has skin the color of porcelain, and can apparently kill with one look from his dead, white eyes. The police are baffled, the criminal element is terrified, and even Doc seems to be puzzled by the strange power of this man.
After establishing himself and his power, White Eyes finally reveals his plan. Calling together all of the top criminal minds in New York City, White Eyes offers them each a cut in what could prove to be the biggest robbery ever. It has long been rumored that Doc Savage’s vast fortune comes from a secret gold mine that he owns the rights to. The secret is out however, and with the help of his new army White Eyes aims to get his cold, white hands on it. Can even Doc Savage resist the terrible, unearthly power of White Eyes?
In his second thrilling audiobook adventure, Doc Savage gets shot, bombed, gassed, gets his car stolen, uses a mind-reading device, performs an autopsy, defends his skyscraper from a gang of murderous thugs, and hops a plane to Cuba! Will Murray has taken Lester Dent’s original outline and created an action-packed thrill-ride that is worthy of the man of bronze. Long time fans of Doc Savage will appreciate the way Will Murray remains true to Lester Dent’s original character. New fans will also enjoy White Eyes as Murray explains the origins of the Hidalgo Trading Company, Doc’s vast fortune of Aztec gold, his fortress of solitude at the north pole, and his 86th floor headquarters in New York City.
Also included in this audio production are two brief interviews with author Will Murray. In the first, Murray delves into the illustrious history of Doc Savage and gives examples of how Lester Dent shaped the character, which was actually created and owned by Street and Smith Publishers. In the second interview, Murray talks specifically about White Eyes , and how he turned Lester Dent’s original treatment into a published work. Interesting background material for new and old fans alike.
Narrator Richard Epcar was a good pick for White Eyes . The whole idea behind these Doc Savage productions is to give them the feel of an old-time radio program. Epcar achieved this with his radio-announcer voice and his melodramatic characterizations. White Eyes is narrated in 3D stereo, with Epcar’s narration coming through the center channel and his character voices coming from the right or left, putting the listener right in the middle. Add to this Radio Archive’s crystal clear reproduction technology, and you have a cinema quality extravaganza.
White Eyes is the second audio adventure in a new series from Radio Archives. I for one am looking forward to many more like it.
Steven Brandt @ Audiobook-Heaven
March 4, 2017
A "new" adventure of pulp hero Doc Savage. Will Murray is clearly a fan of the character and is intimately familiar with the genre, but this novel still felt flat to me.
November 23, 2016
This Doc Savage adventure produced by Will Murray didn't strike me as being as well-written as most of his other entries in the series. It celebrates and pays homage to many of the iconic bits of infrastructure from the original pulp stories of Lester Dent, but there was a tendency to wander away from the subject and the dialog was not as crisp as usual. Still, revisiting the old Savage stomping grounds was a fun treat, and the scientific gadgetry is always entertaining.
September 15, 2013
The modern-day Doc Savage pastiches from longtime Doc historian Will Murray don't do much for me, I'm afraid. This is better than the dire "Python Isle," but not by much. Murray pointlessly tries to imitate the old-school pulp style, but does it in a way that makes it seem like someone deliberately trying to write a bad story. Stick with the real stuff.
May 20, 2015
Love Doc!
May 7, 2016
read some time in 1992
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews