Subject
Drug traffic -- Fiction Books
Best books
Sax Rohmer
Dope
"Dope" by Sax Rohmer is a novel likely written in the early 20th century. The story introduces Monte Irvin, an alderman in London, whose life begins to spiral into chaos as he grapples with marital troubles and suspicions surrounding his wife, Rita. The plot thickens with the involvement of an enigmatic figure named Kazmah, a dream-reader, and the world of drugs and deceit that unfurls as Irvin seeks the truth. At the start of the book, the focus is on Monte Irvin's mounting anxiety as he waits for his wife, who is apparently entangled in a secretive affair. Irvin plants himself in his library, pacing anxiously and contemplating the disarray of his life. The narrative quickly introduces key characters, particularly the charming but troubled Margaret Halley and the aristocratic Sir Lucien Pyne, as well as the mysterious Kazmah. As Irvin fears the revelation of his worst suspicions regarding his wife’s loyalty, he receives troubling news that complicates the situation further, setting the stage for a tangled web of intrigue, betrayal, and potential danger that appears centered around the mystique of Kazmah and the illicit drug trade.
E. E. (Edward Elmer) Smith
Storm Cloud on Deka
"Storm Cloud on Deka" by E. E. Smith is a science fiction novel written during the early 1940s. The story is set in a futuristic universe where pharmaceuticals are explored in intricate and high-stakes contexts, particularly involving the world of Deka and its dark dealings with dangerous substances. The narrative revolves around corporate intrigue, the ethics of drug production, and the catastrophic consequences that can arise from the misuse of advanced scientific knowledge. The plot centers on the operations of Tellurian Pharmaceuticals and particularly follows a scientist, Dr. Fairchild, who is caught in a web of deceit and danger as he attempts to produce a new form of medicinal plant. When a tragic incident involving thionite—a powerful and addictive drug—occurs, two young employees, Robert Ryder and Jacqueline Comstock, become entangled in a lethal scheme orchestrated by corporate management to cover up its dealings. Meanwhile, the titular character, Storm Cloud, is a skilled "Vortex Blaster," an expert in dealing with unstable atomic vortices that pose a threat to life and stability. As the story unfolds, the characters confront moral dilemmas, corporate corruption, and their fight for survival against a backdrop of scientific advancement gone awry. Their intertwining fates culminate in a race against time to expose the truth and navigate the dangers surrounding them.
George O. (George Oliver) Smith
Hellflower
"Hellflower" by George O. Smith is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story revolves around Charles Farradyne, a disgraced space pilot who is entangled in a deadly game involving a powerful and intoxicating flower known as the Hellflower, which has the ability to manipulate human desires. As Farradyne grapples with his past and seeks redemption, he is drawn into a dangerous world where emotions can lead to destruction, making for a gripping narrative filled with intrigue and moral complexity. The opening of the novel introduces us to Charles Farradyne, a once-esteemed pilot who has fallen from grace after a tragic accident involving the spacecraft Semiramide, which resulted in the death of thirty-three people. Lost in the squalor of Venus, he meets Howard Clevis from the Solar Anti-Narcotics Department, who offers him a chance to regain his former life by infiltrating a criminal gang involved in trafficking the Hellflower. As Farradyne navigates his new reality, he encounters the complicated and emotionally charged presence of Norma Hannon, a woman whose life has been irrevocably altered by the substance he seeks to dismantle. Their tumultuous relationship sets the stage for a thrilling exploration of addiction, hatred, and the quest for redemption.
Joseph Farrell
Mind Stealers of Pluto
"Mind Stealers of Pluto" by Joseph Farrell is a science fiction novel written during the early to mid-20th century. The story is set in a futuristic universe that includes planets like Mars and Pluto, focusing on themes of addiction, power struggles, and extraterrestrial phenomena. The plot revolves around a reporter's dangerous investigation into a drug ring that employs advanced psychic abilities and unravels mysteries about the origins of the mind-altering substance "neoin". In the narrative, Ron Barnard, a journalist, finds himself embroiled in a perilous adventure as he investigates the mysterious drug "neoin", which devastates the population across various planets. Desperate to uncover the truth behind the drug's trafficking, Barnard crosses paths with Gail Melvin, whose brother has been rendered mentally incapacitated by the substance. As the story unfolds, they embark on a treacherous journey to Pluto, where they discover that "neoin" is derived from energy creatures with sinister motives. Amidst encounters with rogue police forces, psychic battles, and the constant threat of mental domination, Barnard must harness his wits and emerging abilities to thwart the drug ring's plans and reclaim his own mind. The tale climaxes with revelations about loyalty, sacrifice, and the fight against malevolent forces that threaten human autonomy.
George O. (George Oliver) Smith
The hellflower
"The Hellflower" by George O. Smith is a novel written in the early 1950s. This science fiction narrative revolves around a disgraced space pilot, Charles Farradyne, who is approached by Howard Clevis from the Solar Anti-Narcotic Department for a risky job. The story seems to explore themes of redemption, substance addiction, and the consequences of one’s past decisions in a futuristic setting where space travel is commonplace. At the start of the book, we find Charles Farradyne living in the desperate conditions of a fungus field on Venus, having lost his pilot's license after a tragic accident that caused numerous fatalities, including a significant loss related to narcotics operations. When Clevis arrives to offer him a new chance—alongside a forged pilot's license—Farradyne grapples with his bitter memories and the weight of his reputation. As he reluctantly accepts the job to infiltrate a drug operation tied to the dangerous love lotus, the narrative sets the stage for tension, personal conflict, and the exploration of Farradyne's character as he navigates through his past mistakes and the gritty underworld he’s being drawn back into. The opening hints at both exciting space adventures and deep emotional undertones as Farradyne embarks on what could be a path to redemption or further despair.
Wilbur S. Peacock
Prey of the Space Falcon
"Prey of the Space Falcon" by Wilbur S. Peacock is a science fiction novel likely written in the mid-20th century. The story unfolds in a futuristic universe where Curt Varga, known as the Falcon, rebels against a tyrannical regime known as the Food Administrators. As a cunning outlaw leading a group of rebels, he must navigate danger and deception while his brother fights bravely by his side, ultimately facing the challenges posed by the oppressive Interplanetary Patrol. The opening of the novel introduces us to Curt Varga, who is communicated with via a hidden device, as he lounges in a Martian nightclub. He's amid a tense situation, with Interplanetary Patrol agents converging on him while he plots to undermine the Food Administrators. The tension escalates when warning arrives that they suspect his identity. Flashbacks reveal the motivations behind his rebellious actions, including the tragic loss of his family to the very systems he fights against. As the narrative progresses, he finds himself in a conflict not only with the IP but also battling the resurgence of smuggling operations, particularly the dangerous drug smothalene, which is threatening his cause and the reputation of his rebel group.
Dirk Wylie
Asteroid of the Damned
"Asteroid of the Damned" by Dirk Wylie is a science fiction novel likely written in the early 1940s. The story is set on a lawless asteroid known as Pallas, which serves as a refuge for outlaws and an infamous gambling den populated by a peculiar race called the Kiddies. The narrative revolves around a protagonist named MacCauley, who is on a mission to track down a crime lord involved in the narcotics trade flooding the inner planets with a dangerous drug called narcophene. The plot unfolds as MacCauley navigates the chaotic life on Pallas, encountering various alien species and the close-knit, odd inhabitants known as Kiddies, who have a bizarre obsession with metal. After being robbed by one of them, MacCauley faces numerous challenges, including the treachery of a fellow TPL (Tri-Planet Law) agent named Kittrell, who is revealed to be part of the narcophene operation. The story builds up to a tense climax where MacCauley cleverly uses his knowledge of the Kiddies' affinity for metal, ultimately using it to negotiate his escape and seize control of the situation, setting up for a potential future empire on the asteroid. The concluding twist highlights themes of ambition and the unexpected ways one can turn adversity into an opportunity for success.
B. M. (Bithia Mary) Croker
The Road to Mandalay: A Tale of Burma
"The Road to Mandalay: A Tale of Burma" by B. M. Croker is a novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative opens in an English village setting, introducing the lives of two elderly sisters, Miss Jane and Miss Mitty Tebbs, who are concerned about their wealthy neighbors, the Shafto family, particularly after the blinds at their home have been drawn down—a sign that something is amiss. The story intricately explores themes of social status, familial relationships, and the impact of sudden tragedy on people's lives. At the start of the book, the Misses Tebbs speculate about the strange behavior of the Shafto family, particularly the demise of Mr. Shafto, who has just passed away suddenly, leaving a complex web of family dynamics and financial woes. As the sisters gossip and reflect on the Shaftos' past, including Edward Shafto's abrupt move from Oxford to their village, we are drawn into a community full of intrigue. Details begin to emerge regarding Mrs. Shafto's extravagant lifestyle, her strained relationship with her husband, and their son Douglas's new responsibilities following his father's death. This sets the stage for the exploration of Douglas's character and future, hinting at themes of loss, change, and possibly the journey towards Mandalay, which may symbolize both a physical journey and a deeper quest for identity and belonging.
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