"Murder Genius"

"Perhaps you'll be more concerned when I tell you that only a complete confession of your real identity will save the life of Rutledge Mann. Keep silent - and you'll have the pleasure of seeing him roasted alive!" - Benedict Stark

 Although the title on the cover states "The MURDER GENIUS" the actual title is simply "MURDER GENIUS".  The upper and lower case apparently denote that it is not part of the title.  Even though the tale was submitted as "The Murder Genius"... enough of that.

This is the second of a four issue story arc that is considered on par with the four issue tales of Shiwan Khan.  At the end of the first novel, "The Prince of Evil" one of The Shadow's agents was kidnapped and the adventure ended on a cliff hanger.  The only time in the series pulps that a tale ended thus.

  The cover is passable although not a classic (in my opinion) and suffers from the damned suit and tie!  C'mon, even if it is there it needn't be shown as it really kills the mysterioso vibe that nearly a decade of pulps has built up.  Oh well, I wasn't the artist or AD, so it is what it is.