Wed 2 Apr 2025
FRANK GRUBER – Brothers of Silence. E.P.Dutton, hardcover, 1962. Detective Book Club, hardcover, 3-in-1 edition. Bantam F2903, paperback,1965. Belmont, paperback, 1973.
After a confusing opening, Gruber settles down with a tale about Attila’s hidden treasure, buried somewhere in eastern Europe. Author Charles Tancred, an expert on Caesar and the Roman Empire, knows the approximate location, but there are others who know he knows, and do it goes.
What makes the beginning confusing is a tendency to fill in background so very gradually, which is not only disconcerting to the reader, but makes the motives of the characters even more unclear. In spite of a strong suspicion that all this mysteriousness was needed only for any mystery at all, once the story finally gets going, it manages to keep a fairly even level.
The love interest comes on suddenly and strong, however, and it generally manages to foul up the story’s credibility. Every foreigner is quickly characterized with difficulty and English idioms. Carry-overs from Gruber’s pulp days?
Rating: ***
April 3rd, 2025 at 6:37 am
I have found Gruber to have been always readable and always entertaining, whether in the detective or western fields. Sadly, most of his work (such as the Johnny fletcher, Simon Lash, or Otis Beagle stories) would probably not be as well received as they should by today’s [audience]. Perhaps a specialty publisher…
April 3rd, 2025 at 6:39 am
Audience. “Today’s audience.” That last word is floating somewhere in the ether where Blogspot callously discards words.
April 3rd, 2025 at 12:56 pm
I’ve just added the missing word, Jerry. And I agree with you. Gruber’s work ought to be a lot more easy to be found today. He had a long and varied career, and I’m wondering why specialty publishers haven’t caught on to him. Problems with his estate, perhaps.
April 5th, 2025 at 12:36 am
I liked this somewhat more than the review, but it was a disappointment compared to BRIDGE OF SAND, which may be the best of his international intrigue adventure books.