A kidnapping, a killing, and a young woman on the run set Doc on an explosive trail of conspiracy and intrigue that leads straight to a group of mysterious, multicolored whales!
Founded the Hidalgo Trading Company (1997) and The Flearun Discussion Group (1999). Chuck currently serves as Editor for the Bronze Gazette.
(The Doc Savage novel synopsis are courtesy of Bantam Books or Altus Press.)
Colors for Money is about as interesting as its title. Let’s just call it “Pink Whales” and be done.
To be cold it is a weak, pointless, smalltime “adventure.” That said, we’ll just look at some highlights, because even the worst Docs are better than half the BS out there.
A favorite Monkism: Monk, ever the bad dude, states bluntly, “I never threaten anybody. I make statements of fact.” You can take that to the bank.
There are some interesting Doc psychological moments. In one place he looks over a lab because he needs to see if the guy is a crackpot or a serious threat. He can “read” labs and tell how advanced they and their projects are. Also Doc’s acumen is so great he can glance through a lab and unravel the entire mystery. Got to love that!
In another spot Doc makes a judgment call to trust a woman, though he doubts his own “read” of her, and puts faith in her character to save them all. Elsewhere, in a fight with a crook the guy pulls a pen knife and Doc is horrified at the potential damage it could do to his hands. Now you know he is a surgeon first and foremost. One final thing: there is a point where Doc is said to be addicted to gadgets. Ahh, pshaw.
Brian Lindsey
on October 19, 2006 at 11:53 am
As I’m yet to become enamored of the post-war “Noir/Detective” tales (despite the superior writing), I was expecting the worst with this one… But actually, it ain’t half bad. The story’s “McGuffin” is as oddball as they come but still plausible enough. I found the climax interesting, as Doc has to think in terms of tactical military strategy — how to defend the isolated experimental station from the gangsters with the very meager forces and weapons at hand. This is one of those Doc-Monk-Ham adventures in which they REALLY could’ve used their absent brothers’ assistance.
Brian Lindsey
on March 11, 2007 at 11:18 am
As I’m yet to become enamored of the post-war “Noir/Detective” tales (despite the superior writing), I was expecting the worst with this one… But actually, it ain’t half bad. The story’s “McGuffin” is as oddball as they come but still plausible enough. I found the climax interesting, as Doc has to think in terms of tactical military strategy — how to defend the isolated experimental station from the gangsters with the very meager forces and weapons at hand. This is one of those Doc-Monk-Ham adventures in which they REALLY could’ve used their absent brothers’ assistance.
Colors for Money is about as interesting as its title. Let’s just call it “Pink Whales” and be done.
To be cold it is a weak, pointless, smalltime “adventure.” That said, we’ll just look at some highlights, because even the worst Docs are better than half the BS out there.
A favorite Monkism: Monk, ever the bad dude, states bluntly, “I never threaten anybody. I make statements of fact.” You can take that to the bank.
There are some interesting Doc psychological moments. In one place he looks over a lab because he needs to see if the guy is a crackpot or a serious threat. He can “read” labs and tell how advanced they and their projects are. Also Doc’s acumen is so great he can glance through a lab and unravel the entire mystery. Got to love that!
In another spot Doc makes a judgment call to trust a woman, though he doubts his own “read” of her, and puts faith in her character to save them all. Elsewhere, in a fight with a crook the guy pulls a pen knife and Doc is horrified at the potential damage it could do to his hands. Now you know he is a surgeon first and foremost. One final thing: there is a point where Doc is said to be addicted to gadgets. Ahh, pshaw.
As I’m yet to become enamored of the post-war “Noir/Detective” tales (despite the superior writing), I was expecting the worst with this one… But actually, it ain’t half bad. The story’s “McGuffin” is as oddball as they come but still plausible enough. I found the climax interesting, as Doc has to think in terms of tactical military strategy — how to defend the isolated experimental station from the gangsters with the very meager forces and weapons at hand. This is one of those Doc-Monk-Ham adventures in which they REALLY could’ve used their absent brothers’ assistance.
As I’m yet to become enamored of the post-war “Noir/Detective” tales (despite the superior writing), I was expecting the worst with this one… But actually, it ain’t half bad. The story’s “McGuffin” is as oddball as they come but still plausible enough. I found the climax interesting, as Doc has to think in terms of tactical military strategy — how to defend the isolated experimental station from the gangsters with the very meager forces and weapons at hand. This is one of those Doc-Monk-Ham adventures in which they REALLY could’ve used their absent brothers’ assistance.