Within the larger genre of pulp heroes, there are several sub-genres. One of them is the “magician-detective,” of which there are very few. In most of these you have a stage magician working as a detective (usually as an amateur), and who uses their skills/knowledge of stage magic in the story, which is often against opponents who are also using it.
Walter Gibson, himself a magician and who wrote for magicians, probably created the most well known pair of “magician-detectives”: The Shadow (yes, a big part of his “power” derived from stage magic tricks), and Norgil the Magician, who lasted for 20 some stories in Crime Busters magazine.
Lesser known are the two created by G.T. Fleming-Roberts: Diamondstone and the Ghost/Green Ghost. In this post we will look at Diamondstone.
Diamondstone lasted for six stories in the pages of Thrilling’s Popular Detective magazine from March 1937 to May 1939. The stories are: “The Crime Conductor,” “The Brothers of Doom,” “The Buddha Whispers,” “The Left-Handed Legacy,” “The Murder of The Marionette,” and “Three Wise Apes.”
Diamondstone is a former stage magician, now independently wealthy and retired. No first name is given, and we don’t know if this is his real name or stage name. To keep busy, he is an amateur detective, solving bizarre crimes that seem to involve magic. All the stories are interesting, and those who like this sub-genre of the pulp hero (or even just detective pulps) will enjoy it.
It seemed clear that more stories would come, but perhaps it was felt that this character should give way to Fleming-Roberts’ new The Ghost/Green Ghost character, who got his own pulp in January 1940.
The author of these stories is G.T. Fleming-Roberts, the pseudonym of George Thomas Roberts, who wrote other stories and characters such as the previously mentioned The Ghost/Green Ghost, as well as the Black Hood and Captain Zero.
Altus Press has published “Diamondstone: Magician-Sleuth,” a complete volume of the Diamondstone stories, with a great intro article by Will Murray. All the original artwork is included. So reading the original stories is easy.
And Pro Se Press has just put out a volume of new Diamondsone stories, under their “Pulp Obscura” line. I have yet to read this volume myself.
So check out this character, either new stories or old (or both), and enjoy.
