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WHO KNOWS WHAT EVIL LURKS IN THE HEARTS OF MEN?
The Shadow knows. The phantom of darkness stalks the New York streets with a mocking laugh that chills the hearts of criminals everywhere. But in life, as in fiction, there are those who reach above the law to make their own justice at any cost. Such a man is Mox, a killer who strikes at midnight, unseen, unfelt, unheard; a man who has invented his own diabolical system of death by remote control! Here indeed is a case for The Shadow: a devastating enemy determined to erase the last living obstacle in his headlong plunge toward total power!
Originally published in SHADOW Magazine, volume VII, number 6, November 1933.
The Shadow knows. The phantom of darkness stalks the New York streets with a mocking laugh that chills the hearts of criminals everywhere. But in life, as in fiction, there are those who reach above the law to make their own justice at any cost. Such a man is Mox, a killer who strikes at midnight, unseen, unfelt, unheard; a man who has invented his own diabolical system of death by remote control! Here indeed is a case for The Shadow: a devastating enemy determined to erase the last living obstacle in his headlong plunge toward total power!
Originally published in SHADOW Magazine, volume VII, number 6, November 1933.
126 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1933
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About the author
Maxwell Grant
651 books32 followersMaxwell Grant was a pseudonym often used by Walter B. Gibson to write stories of "The Shadow".
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
October 22, 2018
A mysterious person known only as Mox is murdering inventors. Who is Mox, and what is behind the killings? This is a quick read with some genuinely creepy moments and a neat twist ending.
February 3, 2019
One of the best Shadow stories with a sequel that pretty much has no story relation to this one. Inventors are persuaded to come to a mansion with their plans for money to complete them. It's pretty hard to figure out who the bad guy is in this one. A nice anagram of The Shadow is revealed at the end.
April 22, 2024
Mox breaks the more typical Shadow story where most of it is not set in New York City. There is also few deaths and the stakes are lower than the typical story. I enjoyed being fooled as to who the villain and who the Shadow was! I found the battle of egos (not wits) between the NY detective and the county sheriff irritating and also mildly funny. They were more concerned with up-upping the other man more than actually solving the case.
March 1, 2025
A fun pulp crime classic, with a memorable extended action scene in the middle, capped by a very clever final reveal of the identity of the titular big bad.
June 5, 2022
First half: four stars. Second half: two stars. Average: three stars.
October 7, 2011
While thankfully not one of the "criminal mastermind with a mad plan to take control of the New York underworld" plots that seems to plague this series, it is a "criminal mastermind with a mad plan" plot where the mad plan seems rather weak on the details.
It starts out promisingly, with the notion of the mastermind Mox and killing inventors and taking their undescribed inventions. For components of some superweapon, perhaps? Some pulp mad science? To enrich the war effort of a foreign power? To prevent world-changing inventions from undermining the established industrial/commercial complex? To decorate his living room?
It's never said. The inventors are lured in with the promise that Mox would purchase the plans for some paltry sum, which as business transactions go would be cost effective and very effective. But, unfortunately for the apparently insane Mox, it has the down side of being both simple and legal, which apparently he wants nothing to do with.
So he kills the inventors in one of two over-the-top methods, thus attracting the attention of both the authorities and The Shadow. It's as though he thought to himself, "well, I suppose I could just buy the plans and make a huge profit on the deal, but since I've already hired a goon squad, a house full of deathtraps, and an assassin with a knife-launching airgun..."
I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop regarding Mox and the inventions that would explain this behavior, but this never came. The book zeroes in on The Case of the Dueling Detectives, as Joe Cardona grapples with a rural detective with regards to execution of the case. The author got completely distracted or infatuated by this aspect of the story and forgot that there's a supposed supervillain. In a perfect universe, he would have realized the problem and split this into two stories.
It starts out promisingly, with the notion of the mastermind Mox and killing inventors and taking their undescribed inventions. For components of some superweapon, perhaps? Some pulp mad science? To enrich the war effort of a foreign power? To prevent world-changing inventions from undermining the established industrial/commercial complex? To decorate his living room?
It's never said. The inventors are lured in with the promise that Mox would purchase the plans for some paltry sum, which as business transactions go would be cost effective and very effective. But, unfortunately for the apparently insane Mox, it has the down side of being both simple and legal, which apparently he wants nothing to do with.
So he kills the inventors in one of two over-the-top methods, thus attracting the attention of both the authorities and The Shadow. It's as though he thought to himself, "well, I suppose I could just buy the plans and make a huge profit on the deal, but since I've already hired a goon squad, a house full of deathtraps, and an assassin with a knife-launching airgun..."
I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop regarding Mox and the inventions that would explain this behavior, but this never came. The book zeroes in on The Case of the Dueling Detectives, as Joe Cardona grapples with a rural detective with regards to execution of the case. The author got completely distracted or infatuated by this aspect of the story and forgot that there's a supposed supervillain. In a perfect universe, he would have realized the problem and split this into two stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2017
I loved this book! The writing is so well composed that The Shadow seems to shift in and out and around you and the book. The mystery is pure comic book with monster plot holes. Despite the troubles, this book is so great to read, that I have to recommend it.
The biggest problem with the entire book is that it seems the writer was more interested in writing about The Shadow than anything else. Certainly the best writing involves the hero. Otherwise there's a "evil fiend", victims and others trying to save the day. That lot, except the bad guy are written lightly.
The setting is critical to the entire book. That and other settings are simply stated. Sometimes a bit tough to understand some structural areas.
There are also huge investigative problems. Law enforcement is written as if significantly restrained in it's abilities. All a plot device to get the story to it's ending, unfortunately.
Despite all of those drawbacks, this is just a terrific presentation of The Shadow. Is he real? Is he a ghost? I love these questions are not only not answered but keeps the reader wondering. Literature of the mind.
A final main highlight of the book not really involving The Shadow: There is a great ending!
Bottom line: i recommend this book. 10 out of ten points.
The biggest problem with the entire book is that it seems the writer was more interested in writing about The Shadow than anything else. Certainly the best writing involves the hero. Otherwise there's a "evil fiend", victims and others trying to save the day. That lot, except the bad guy are written lightly.
The setting is critical to the entire book. That and other settings are simply stated. Sometimes a bit tough to understand some structural areas.
There are also huge investigative problems. Law enforcement is written as if significantly restrained in it's abilities. All a plot device to get the story to it's ending, unfortunately.
Despite all of those drawbacks, this is just a terrific presentation of The Shadow. Is he real? Is he a ghost? I love these questions are not only not answered but keeps the reader wondering. Literature of the mind.
A final main highlight of the book not really involving The Shadow: There is a great ending!
Bottom line: i recommend this book. 10 out of ten points.
February 2, 2016
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
December 15, 2013
I had a lot of fun reading this book... simple but enjoyable...
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews