Book Review: THE SHADOW: CRIME, INSURED. By Walter B. Gibson *** out of *****

One of the more famous The Shadow tales, Crime, Insured, has a wild premise: crooks in New York are getting bolder, more reckless, so The Shadow investigates, ultimately discovering that there's a master criminal actually selling crime insurance, protecting crooks if their plans fail. It's a far-fetched premise, bordering on silliness, and the lack of any memorable villains make this a somewhat slow-going story. It does, however, feature a great twist, and it is one of the few tales where The Shadow seems to be in real danger. A diverting read for fans, no more, no less.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2021.

Ahmed Khalifa is a filmmaker and novelist. He is the writer/director of several short films and a feature, which was released on Netflix, and the author of a number of novels and short stories, including the YA horror novel, Beware The Stranger, available on Amazon. Find him on Twitter @AFKhalifa and on Facebook @Dark.Fantastic.AK·Writer

Book Review: THE SHADOW: THE STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF JOE CARDONA. By Walter B. Gibson ** out of *****

Dull The Shadow tale about an evil scientist who kills his victims with a poison that clots the blood and turns the victims' corpses purple. The Shadow doesn't have much to do, the villain's identity is obvious, and the ending is lame. Avoid.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2021.

Ahmed Khalifa is a filmmaker and novelist. He is the writer/director of the feature film Wingrave, released on Netflix, and the author of a number of novels and short stories, including the YA horror novel, Beware The Stranger, available on Amazon. Find him on Twitter @AFKhalifa and on Facebook @Dark.Fantastic.AK·Writer

Book Review: THE SHADOW : CITY OF CRIME By Walter B. Gibson ** out of *****

Underwhelming and incoherent The Shadow tale, with repetitive action sequences and a weak plot revolving around corruption and political intrigue in a small city. One of the dullest The Shadow stories. Avoid.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2021.

Ahmed Khalifa is a filmmaker and novelist. He is the writer/director of the feature film Wingrave, released on Netflix, and the author of a number of novels and short stories, including the YA horror novel, Beware The Stranger, available on Amazon. Find him on Twitter @AFKhalifa and on Facebook @Dark.Fantastic.AK·Writer

Book Review: THE SHADOW: THE GOLDEN MASKS by Walter B. Gibson *** OUT OF *****

The Shadow battles a secret society with roots in Africa, in this exciting, fast-paced, if forgettable adventure. It has a couple of clever twists, and Gibson's attention to detail in the escape sequences is always fascinating. But the plot is thin, and the finale unmemorable. Recommended for fans, though.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2021.

Ahmed Khalifa is a filmmaker and novelist. He is the writer/director of the feature film Wingrave, released on Netflix, and the author of a number of novels and short stories, including the YA horror novel, Beware The Stranger, available on Amazon. Find him on Twitter @AFKhalifa and on Facebook @Dark.Fantastic.AK·Writer

Book Review: THE SHADOW: THE THIRD SHADOW. By Walter B. Gibson ** out of *****

Lackluster The Shadow adventure, with a ludicrous central premise (two crooks consecutively impersonate The Shadow to take out their competition), and a lame twist. Sure to disappoint even the most devoted fans.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2020.

Book Review: THE SHADOW: ZEMBA By Walter B. Gibson. *** out of *****

Reportedly, Zemba is one of Walter B. Gibson’s favorite Shadow stories, and it is easy to see why: It takes place in Paris, allowing Gibson an exotic locale in which to set his adventure; it features a slew of red herrings and double identities; there is plenty of intense gunfights; and the ending, in which all is revealed, is a master stroke of deception worthy of Gibson, a veteran illusionist himself.

It is an entertaining and ultimately very clever mystery, but it is also slightly marred by numerous slow patches, a central villain that is not very interesting, and a plot that is almost dizzyingly complex.

All in all, an entertaining if flawed Shadow story, worth reading for the ending alone.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2020.

Review: The Shadow: Bells of Doom. By Walter B. Gibson ** out of ****

Serviceable The Shadow mystery, with intriguing Gothic overtones. But the convoluted plot and lack of a villain worthy of The Shadow's abilities, make it a forgettable entry.

© Ahmed Khalifa. 2019.

Review: The Shadow: Lingo. By Walter B. Gibson *** out ****

Layered, dazzlingly complex The Shadow mystery, which features some of Walter B. Gibson's best writing, and a plot so clever, it's almost a magic act. Typically, The Shadow stories fall into one of three categories: stories about small town crime syndicates, stories about a devious, almost omnipotent villain, and stories about organized crime. Lingo is arguably Gibson's ultimate tale about organized crime, with a large cast of characters, plenty of twists, and an ending that is sure to impress both die-hard fans and newcomers alike. Highly recommended.

© Ahmed Khalifa. 2019.

Book Review: THE SHADOW: MOBSMEN ON THE SPOT By Walter B. Gibson. ** and 1\2 out of ****

Fast-paced, action-packed adventure, with plenty of impressive action set-pieces and chase sequences. It also serves as a backstory for Cliff Marsland, one of the most prominent agents of The Shadow. Recommended.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2018.

Book Review: THE SHADOW: SHADOWED MILLIONS By Walter B. Gibson. **1\2 out of ****

Part mystery, part financial thriller, Shadowed Millions is an entertaining and complex entry in The Shadow cannon. It features double identities, murder, plenty of twists and turns, and loads of action. It might not be one of The Shadow's best, but it is an atmospheric page-turner.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2018.

Book Review: THE SHADOW: THE DEATH TOWER By Walter B. Gibson ** and 1/2 out of ****

Highly readable and atmospheric entry in the adventures of The Shadow, with a memorably devious villain and an exciting finale. Recommended.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2018.

Book Review: THE SHADOW'S SHADOW By Walter B. Gibson ** and 1/2 out of ****

Fast-paced, action packed adventure featuring The Shadow, with some riveting action sequences and fascinating glimpses into the The Shadow's past. Marred only by a lackluster finale.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2018.

Book Review: THE SHADOW: THE DEATH SLEEP By Walter B. Gibson ** and 1/2 out of ****

Average tale in The Shadow cannon, which benefits from some entertaining detective work, a few twists, and a satisfying climax. A diverting if forgettable read.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2018.

Book Review: THE SHADOW: THE GROVE OF DOOM By Walter B. Gibson *** out of ****

Offbeat, highly atmospheric adventure of The Shadow, with an engulfing sense of foreboding, and a strange, terrifying finale. Its confined setting makes proceedings a bit repetitive towards the end, but the reveal of the villain and the thrilling climax pick things up again.

A fan favorite, probably due to the unique nature of the villains and the marvelous escape sequence in the middle of the story. Highly recommended.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2018.

Book Review: THE SHADOW: THE CRIME ORACLE By Maxwell Grant ** out of ****

A lesser entry in The Shadow cannon, with a confined setting and a slow pace. But the menacing atmosphere, the glimpses into the world of fortune-tellers, and  the titular villain - a truly eerie creation - make this an entertaining, quick read. Non-essential for fans, though.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2018.

Book Review: THE SHADOW: THE BLACK MASTER By Maxwell Grant **&1/2 out of four

A unique entry in The Shadow series, with a surprisingly dark, downbeat tone. The titular villain is scary and formidable, providing an uncommon challenge to the usually invincible The Shadow. Here, though, The Shadow is shown at his most human and self-sacrificial.

Although the plot itself is messy and overly complex, and the aforementioned dark tone makes this a less fun entry, it is still a page-turning, intense read, and recommended for fans of the character and the genre.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2018.

Book Review: The Shadow: The Romanoff Jewels by Maxwell Grant - *** out of four

Considered by many to be one of the best Shadow novels, it's easy to see why. The writing is surprisingly energetic, the plot is complex and intriguing, and The Shadow is at his most human throughout. The story spans continents and never lags for a single chapter. Pulp fiction at its finest.

Text © Ahmed Khalifa. 2018.