Black Towers to Danger

The fast-moving action that’s a trademark of Hubbard’s pulp fiction is present from the very first page of this exciting novella (set in South America), which is stronger on plot than on character. The pressure’s on Bill Murphy, a Texas oilman who owns wells in Venezuela, after a new government order about “concession improvement” gives him just 30 days to prove that one of his wells will produce oil. That’s not all. An American competitor named Stewart has just been murdered, and Stewart’s attractive daughter, Marcia, believes Murphy is responsible. Marcia tells the men under her command to shoot Murphy on sight, but he survives long enough to be taken into custody by the corrupt local police. Will he manage to escape long enough to clear his name and get his well to produce? There aren’t a lot of surprises, but readers looking for a quick dose of escapism will be pleased. (Oct.)