The Lone Wolf Returns by Louis Joseph Vance

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love the Lone Wolf series of films and recently hoped to find a copy of one of the books the series is derived. I found a copy of Vance’s ‘The Lone Wolf Returns’ in an unexpected place- a home school convention. A first edition, no less, from 1923.

As can be the case, the book can be very different from film. In this case, ‘The Lone Wolf’ had to be played by someone like Warren William, as he did. Thus, the film interpretation is solid. The rest of the book is far less focused than a film has to be to fit an allotted slot. I have the feeling author Vance need those constraints.

The book begins with character interaction involving a love story that leads to a surprise meeting that leads to a party that leads to an angry meeting that leads to… Lots of leading, but, as a reader, not knowing to where. This book is more of a character study than the mystery genre the character is known for otherwise.

Apparently, author Vance decided to end the series with this book at one point and seems he also decided this to be more a reflection of the concerns of age and accomplishments. The main character does an enormous amount of looking back and considering his place in the world.

There is plenty of bad guys and thieving. The legend of ‘The Lone Wolf’ as gentleman thief is very well cemented into the book. But it is hard to call this a who-done-it. There is a bit of a surprise at the end involving a few of the characters, but that is for another reader to discover.

The problem of this book is the meandering of thought over written for page after page. If the story was to be of a tortured soul, that might be OK, but then there’s a criminal story that is entwined in it all. The rambling is a bit much when a book is having problems of focus.

Then there’s an issue involving a main character being out of commission for 7 months with an explanation that is more than poorly written and plotted. It’s pivotal in the book and huge stumble.

The thing is the writing is outstanding. The rambling is great to read just for the deftness of assembling the words. There are descriptions of setting, characters adn dialogue that are exemplary.

Unfortunately, it all come s together with an emptiness that might reflect the writers uncertainty of continuing the character.

Bottom line: I don’t recomend the book. 6 out of 10 points.

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