March 12, 2012
Action junkies are most likely to embrace this latest reprint of one of Hubbard's numerous pulp novellas, but even they may find the simplicity of plot and language, and some improbabilities a negative. Johnny Brice, a daredevil photojournalist from World News, is enjoying a brief moment of downtime when his assistant alerts him to a sensational breaking story. The Kalolo, the "biggest round-the-world ship," has caught fire, claiming twenty lives. The survivors were picked up by another ship, and Brice's boss contacted them by radio to buy their footage of the disaster; but to recover the film in time for their deadline, Brice must parachute from a biplane to the rescue vessel. The assignment gets geometrically more complicated when an attractive woman hitches a ride back to land on his airplane, so that a mysterious "they" won't get her, starting a partnership that takes the pair around the world. There isn't any character depth to speak of, but those in search of a quick thrill-packed read that makes few demands will find it here.
Starred review from March 26, 2012
Hubbard’s pulp novel charts the adventures of hotheaded and heroic Johnny Brice; his dame, Jinx; and his buddy Irish. After Brice—on assignment covering a burning ship at sea for the newsreels—pulls Jinx out of the water, the trio begins gallivanting around the world (from Idaho to Asia) constantly getting in and out of trouble. Performed with great verve in the style of a classic radio play, this full cast recording incorporates realistic sound effects and mood music. While each cast member turns in a stellar performance—especially Jennifer Aspen as the troubled and spunky Jinx—the narration of R.F. Daley steals the show. He reads in a tone that is both excited and vaguely amused—a perfect combination given the pure pulpiness of Hubbard’s text. Listeners in search of an audiobook that’s both fun and fast-paced will be delighted. A Galaxy paperback.