JOHN BRUNNER – Double, Double. Ballantine, paperback original; 1st printing; January 1969.

   Although possibly based on a monster movie script that Brunner couldn’t peddle elsewhere (or hasn’t yet), this does have the benefit of that author’s deft characterization of stock situations and players.

   A rock group for the modern class spots the monster (see above) climbing from the sea. But of course their story is not believed. “High on LSD, no doubt!” Events soon prove them correct. Luckily there is also a marine research station in the immediate vicinity, and the nature of the beast is quickly discovered. Otherwise the monster(s) could have taken over the entire population, doubling as it goes.

   Brunner himself has to admit (page 203) that luck plays a large part in his plot, still enjoyable nonetheless. In a serious moment, consider: panic, or “the truth”?

Rating: ***½