In fall 2025, we g0t the second novel in the Paradise Investigations series from Teel James Glenn. This series, set in 1939 New York City, stars Adam Paradise, a private investigator who is Frankenstein’s monster. A Walking Shadow is set three months after the first novel.
Glenn has had books and series with several New Pulp publishers, with Bold Venture Press, before going to Pro Se Press and recently Airship 27. This book is by Macabre Ink from Crossroad Press.
While we have yet to get the full story, it’s clear that after his creator abandoned him in the Arctic, he educated himself and has been wandering the world, most recently being in England. He is about 7 feet tall, with mismatched hands that he covers with gloves. He has a slight healing factor and is a little stronger than normal, but that’s it for differences. Mary Shelley’s story is noted as a fictionalized version of what really happened.
He has a small circle of friends and contacts, most of whom do not know who (or what) he really is. His Roma secretary, Vandoma Kalderash, whom he helped in the first novel, does know. There is also his police contact, Lt. Tommy Shane, who is surprisingly not that involved in this one, being injured early on and mainly being consulted by phone. And a new friend is introduced in this one, Lee Han Ku, better known as “Hank”, who is a longtime friend and associate of Dr. Shadows, another New Pulp hero from Glenn. Dr. Shadows doesn’t appear in this work.
While raising funds for China, as it’s being invaded by Japan, at a theater, Hank and her associates are attacked by tong members. That seems strange, as why would the Chinese not want to support their homeland? But as Adam stops them, it seems they might not be Chinese. After the attack, Adam must deal with a new police detective, Detective Pettruchi, who doesn’t take a liking to him.
The next day, Adam is visited by representatives of the gangster he helped in the prior novel. He wants Adam to look into an attack on some of his men. It seems there is an increase in inter-gang conflict. But as Adam looks more into things, it’s clear that those behind it are yakuza and ninjas. And they are all being controlled by a mastermind whom Adam soon meets. It seems this mastermind has a much bigger plan in mind—one that goes beyond just disrupting aid to China or stirring up a gang war, one that might have international repercussions.
While the end of the novel is a bit strange, we are told that another one is on its way. The Undiscovered Country will be the third novel. I have no idea when it will appear, but I look forward to it.
I am interested in seeing where this story is going. And will we see an appearance of Dr. Shadows in the future? I would certainly like to see more of this character, as it’s been a while.
