Where Doc Savage Just Called Them Monsters

The Monsters by Kenneth Robeson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This Doc Savage novel was, for me, somewhat more fun to read than many. I usually give a 3 for these books, but this had a more complete plot and somewhat better pacing.

Part of the charm of these novels, and one of the reasons I keep reading them, is that they're short--probably half the size of most novels--and so you get a complete story without a huge investment of time. I also like the settings, taking place all over the world in the 1930s, mixed in with some gee-whiz electronics-punk inventions. Another attraction in this one is that the danger is actually a monster, not just a Scooby-Doo fakeout. A number of monsters. That gives it more of a fantasy vibe, which I prefer.

You might wince a little, however. The whole series suffers at times--especially a few places in this title--from thoughtless racism. It's kinda shocking when you hit it, though it's mostly just a line or two, found in a few spots. You wanna ask if grandpa meant to be hurtful, because it doesn't seem like it. It seems more like his unenlightened mindset just leaks out. Intended or not, though, it definitely mars the book, making it hard to recommend to others.

Aside from such flaws, this offers lots of old-fashioned pulp entertainment. Pretty consistent action. And, as always, a cool cover.

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