Based on an unpublished outline by his creator, this incredible tale begins in the wild moors of Scotland and draws Doc Savage to the Forgotten Realm. No one know who -- or what -- the strange being who calls himself "X Man" truly is. He was found wandering the ruins of a crumbling Roman fort, dressed in a toga, speaking classical Latin -- and clutching a handful of unearthly black seeds. Declared insane, the X Man patiently tends his weird plants until the day, impelled by a nameless terror, he flees Wyndmoor Asylum to unleash a cyclone of violence that is destined to suck the mighty Man of Bronze into the blackest, most unbelievable mystery of his entire career. For far from Scotland lies a domain of death unknown to the world and called by the ancient Latin name of Novum Eboracum -- New York

Some good ideas, but this novel by Will Murray seems padded. Maybe I've read too many later Docs but 200+ pages makes the adventure drag.

It was nice to get more into the head of Johnny though.

First off, Will Murray should be commended for capturing the Dent voice. As for the story, it is full of great Doc concepts and action and reads like "classic" Doc yet it does seem to drag. Also, the characters are given more distinct personalities and there is a clear deliniation of authority. Doc is in charge here. When he says jump the fabulous five jump. And Murray seems to have it in for Ham, making him the butt of most of the jokes. So this is Doc in a lot of ways but the clear cut characterization and length (almost 300 pages)I guess are Murray's attempt to update the series but these changes give the book a different feel from the original stories. All in all, a fair Doc.

I feel that this is actually the weakest of the "Will Murrays", but after a couple of re-readings, I find myself liking it more than my first read impression. There are BETTER Doc stories but are there REALLY any BAD Doc stories? Kind of like sex, eh?

A Doc Savage book involving an X Man?!?!? Heehee.

While I always applaud Will Murray for picking up the Doc Savage ball and running with it, which he did with great integrity, I have to agree with the above assessments of this book. Though ancient Roman England is worth looking into and I always welcome some depth in the aids and other characters (in this case Johnny gets some play) this book suffers from its own size, that is "padding." It is almost 300 pages long. It is hard for anyone to sustain terrific action for 300 pages.

I found most of these later supersized Docs to be hindered by their own weight. They drag in spots and/or seem to have to gyrate pointlessly through a series of kidnappings and setbacks that can grow repetitive and boring. Part of the magic of the original Docs was the breathless speed of the books. They were whirlwinds of action that never allowed the reader to catch a breath or keep up with the pace of the adventures, hence be able to solve the mystery prior to Doc at the ending. These thicker tomes, while in some ways welcome (in their in-depth characterizations), simply prove too unwieldly in comparison to a normal Doc Savage tale.

That said, even this book is still a good, solid Doc. It doesn't mistreat the characters or the world of Doc. This is great testament to Murray. He way always faithful to the Doc Savage universe and the spirit of the series.

Thomas Fortenberry