Author: M. V. Carey

Translator: Inga Lill Högberg

Swedish cover: Robert Adragna.

First Swedish edition: 1982 (1981 in the USA)

Editions: 4

Spine-number: 2228-29

Original title: The Mystery of the scar-faced beggar

Review:

This book indicates a new era. Mr Alfred Hitchcock was replaced by Hector Sebastian. Exciting absurd themes were replaced by a heavy current theme (in a way it was introduced already in Shark Reef). And this was the first book in the series that I found boring when I read it for the first time 20 years ago - a change in the atmosphere, too much realistic politics and I never did like the mystical woman with the dreams. Of course, this is a simplification. I don´t love all the books before Scar-Faced Beggar, and I appreciate some titles after this one.

Bob meet a blind beggar in Santa Monica. The beggar runs away when Bob is going to hand over a dropped wallet. Shortly thereafter there is a bankrobbery in the neighbourhood. The Three Investigators supect the beggar of being a lookout. The Watchman of the Bank, Mr Walter Bonestell, thinks that he is the suspect, and he asks the Three Investigators for help.

The Wallet belongs to Mr Hector Sebastian, and in this book they meet him for the first time. In the beginning of the story he is one of the suspects.

The investigations lead to some people who are descendants of the former landowners in Mesa d'Oro - a small country in South America. Their ancestors lost the power in a revolution many years ago. Some members of this group do acts of terrorism. Later in the story we get the information that they intended to use the money from the robbery to buy weapons. (Mesa d´Oro is not the first non-existing country in the bookseries - remember Varania, Lapathia and Ruffino.)

I think that the theme of terrorism is too heavy. But You will get an interesting insight if You want to know something about the strange wicked logic of terrorists. (There are other books in the series with political intrigues, but they are not so realistic) Mr Shelby Alejandro Tuckerman is an interesting villain. But Mrs Denicola is very inappropriate. I have never liked her strange dreams and warnings.

Despite my objections, the story is ok, and I found it slightly better than 20 years ago. It is rather exciting but not a favourite.

Summarize:

The Story: 5 (of 10)

Characterization 6 (10)

Atmosphere 4 (10)

Thrilling factor 5 (10)

Environment 4 (10)

Original cover 4 (10)

Cult status 4 (10)

Nostalgia 3 (10)