Doc Savage: The Frightened Fish

THE FRIGHTENED FISH is probably the best of the seven new Doc Savage books which Will Murray wrote after the entire original series had been reprinted. It's brisk and coherent, without the overboard extra length of some books in this series. THE FRIGHTENED FISH is based on a plot which Lester Dent had been working on when the magazine was cancelled in 1949. Murray does a fine job in maintaining the style and feel of the era, as well as throwing a number of touches modern fans appreciate (such as bringing back the submarine Helldiver). It also brings back two characters from THE RED SPIDER. In addition to an enjoyable and fast-moving story, the book has a few valuable supplements. Will Murray adds a fascinating 18-page article detailing the various writers who worked under the 'Kenneth Robeson' name, and there are two listings of the complete Doc Savage series. One is a straight chronological index of the original Street & Smith publication, and the other sets out the order of the Bantam reprints, noting which authors did which books. (I referred back to these checklists many times when doing my reviews.) A fine story, a pair of useful indexes and a valuable article-- if a fan wanted to pick up just one of the new Doc novels, THE FRIGHTENED FISH would be the best choice. - FROM DR. HERMES' REVIEWS

This tale takes place near the end of Doc Savage's amazing career. The tone of the story and the characterization of the characters are consistent with the later work of Lester Dent. In some of the super-sagas of the late 1940s, Doc indeed was trying to control his trilling affectation. In the story, "The Red Spider", Doc becomes involved in cold war intrigue behind the iron curtain. Doc was introduced in 1933. By 1948, the World had been entirely transformed. In the 30s, Doc was protecting the World against madmen with weapons of mass destruction. In the post- war world, this was no longer a fanciful notion; it was a reality. Dent changed Doc to keep up with the times. In "The Frightened Fish", working from story notes by Lester Dent, Will Murray does a masterful job of keeping consistent with Mr. Dent's new direction for the series. Murray presents us with an older, more world-weary Doc. He is still a hero, but his inner life had been brought forth. In the fifteen year span of Doc's career, he grew as an individual. Everyone changes and grows over time and so did Doc Savage. A large portion of the plot takes place in occupied Japan. It is clear that Will Murray did a lot of research on what Japan was like during that period. I have never really come across much information on occupied Japan and it proved to be facinating reading. This book is a welcomed addition to the Doc Savage canon. The plot in "The Frightened Fish" deals with no less that the possible start of World War III! An amazing villain returns to again warp the course of history! Doc and his amazing crew meet up with old friends! Doc pulls the Helldiver out of mothballs for a trip across the Pacific to occupied Japan! What more could you ask for?