Audiobook Sample
Listen to the sample to experience the story.
Please wait while we verify your browser...
- Title: Black Star
- Author: Johnston McCulley
- Narrator: Roger Melin
- Length: 08:09:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 01/01/2011
- Publisher: LibriVox
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Suspense
- ISBN13: SABLIBX978563
There’s something magical about discovering a hidden gem from the golden age of pulp fiction while driving through an unfamiliar landscape. I remember listening to the opening chapters of “Black Star” during a rainstorm in rural Portugal, the rhythmic patter on my rental car’s roof perfectly syncing with Roger Melin’s measured narration. The experience transported me back to those childhood afternoons spent in my grandfather’s study, where dusty pulp magazines filled with masked vigilantes and criminal masterminds promised endless adventure.
Johnston McCulley’s “Black Star” is exactly the kind of story that would have thrilled my younger self – a delicious cat-and-mouse game between the titular master criminal and amateur detective Roger Verbeck. What makes this particular mystery so compelling is the Black Star’s complete anonymity – a faceless, voiceless specter who leaves only small black stars as calling cards. McCulley, best known for creating Zorro, demonstrates his mastery of suspense here, building tension through what we “don’t” know about the villain rather than what we do.
Roger Melin’s narration captures the spirit of classic radio dramas, his voice carrying that perfect blend of gravitas and playfulness needed for pulp fiction. There’s a particular scene where the Black Star leaves one of his sarcastic notes – Melin delivers it with such dry wit that I actually pulled over to replay it, chuckling at the criminal’s audacity. His performance reminds me of those evenings in Oaxaca listening to abuelita’s stories – the way a skilled narrator can make words leap from the speaker and dance before your eyes.
The audiobook’s strengths lie in its pacing and atmosphere. At just over four hours, it’s a compact listen that never overstays its welcome. McCulley’s prose, while not particularly literary, moves with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine – every sentence serves the dual purpose of advancing the plot and building tension. The scenes where Verbeck pieces together clues particularly shine in audio format, allowing listeners to play detective alongside the protagonist.
Some modern listeners might find the characterizations somewhat thin by contemporary standards – the women are particularly underwritten – but this reflects the era’s conventions rather than any failing on McCulley’s part. What the story lacks in depth it more than makes up for in sheer entertainment value and historical significance as an early example of the masked villain archetype that would dominate popular culture.
For those who enjoy classic mysteries or want to understand the roots of modern superhero/supervillain dynamics, “Black Star” offers fascinating insights. It pairs wonderfully with long drives or quiet evenings, its episodic structure making it easy to digest in chunks. While it may not have the psychological complexity of modern thrillers, there’s an undeniable charm to its straightforward approach to suspense – like sipping a well-made classic cocktail when you’re used to craft mixology.
The LibriVox production maintains good audio quality throughout, though listeners should expect the occasional imperfection common to volunteer-read public domain works. That said, Melin’s consistent performance more than compensates, and the price (free!) makes this an easy recommendation for mystery lovers and pulp fiction enthusiasts alike.
Happy listening and safe travels through the world of stories,
Marcus
Marcus Rivera
