The Road of Crime

The Shadow Pulp #39

by Maxwell Grant, Walter B. Gibson

Genres: Pulp

Paperback

Published October 1, 1933

About the author

Maxwell Grant was a pseudonym often used by Walter B. Gibson to write stories of "The Shadow".

Reviews

[Tim Deforest · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unusual Shadow novel as it tells the story almost entirely from the point-of-view of a criminal.

Graham Wellerton, though, is a criminal because of a blackmailing woman who married him while he was drunk. Though now bitter towards life in general, circumstances give him a chance to go straight. But his mobster confederates might not want to leave him alone.

The Shadow jumps in several times to save the life of Graham and arrange evidence that gets Graham out of his unwanted marriage, but mostly this is a redemption story. Graham's gradual character growth and his desire to pay back money he's stolen in the past is at the center of the tale. There's still plenty of action mixed in with all this, of course. Foiled bank robberies, confrontations with armed mobsters and a twist at the end revealing someone unexpected as a villain all keep the pacing fast.

The Shadow universe is one in which bad guys most often end up on a slab in the morgue. It's a nice change-of-pace to give us a bad guy who sincerely wants to turn back to the Light Side.

[Jeff J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An early adventure of the Shadow, from when he was more of a background observer rather than a direct participant. I think I prefer this approach.

[Mark Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps a bit too reliant on Plotto but still a fun read.

[Little Timmy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it comes to pulp heroes there are 2 or 3 great standouts and the Shadow is one of those. The stories are fast paced and action filled. The mystery just adds to the excitement. With his army of agents to help the Shadow never lets you down for a great read. Highly Recommended

[Ronald]

read some time in 2008