Author: William Arden

Translator: Lasse Mattsson

Swedish cover: Ola Ericson

First Swedish edition: 1972 (1969 in the USA)

Editions: 8

Spine-number: 1631-32

Original title: The mystery of the Laughing Shadow

Review:

Peter and Bob happen to meet a laughing shadow in the night and find a small statue of gold. That is the beginning of this saturated story. The trace lead to a country manor outside Rocky Beach where Miss Sandow lives. Her relative Ted are visiting and she spends much time with Mr Harris who is the chairman of a vegetarian association. What about the rumour about an old treasure? Who are the headless men? And who are the threatening indians?

I would like to call this an "Atmosphere-Action-story". There are some very charged scenes in the mystical garden. It is dark and suddenly You hear the creepy screaming laughter. There are many more passages full of atmosphere and clever action. It is hard to stop reading. But it is too easy to know what the laughing shadow is.

The plot is not bad either. It is rather mainstream but ingenious. Especially I like the link between the story and the Californian history.

The Three Investigators are at their prime. Jupe display great power of deduction. Pete and Bob also get much space for their personalities.

The villain is unusually brutal and cunning. First he is very friendly, but once unmasked he is very rough.

Skinny Norris…well…he is very nasty. I like him, though he is an extreme stereotype.

This is also one of my childhood stories and I remember that I was very fascinated.

The Mystery of the Laughing Shadow is a classical story. It is not hard to guess what the laughing shadow is, but the story is nevertheless very good with a thrilling garden-atmosphere and clever action.

Summarize:

The Story: 8 (of 10)

Characterization 8 (10)

Atmosphere 9 (10)

Thrilling factor 8 (10)

Environment 9 (10)

Original cover 9 (10)

Swedish cover 8 (10)

Cult status 9 (10)

Nostalgia 9 (10)