The Gold Skull Murders by Frank L. Packard, 1931

 

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About the author: Frank L. Packard (1877 - 1942) was born in Montreal, Quebec. As a young man he worked as a civil engineer for the Canadian Pacific Railway. His experiences working on the railroad led to his writing many railroad stories, then to a series of mystery novels, the most famous of which featured a character called Jimmie Dale. Several of his novels were made into films. (Wikipedia)

Major characters:

Dr. Ronald Ward, alias Bob Curle

Michael Ward, Ronald's father

Gourlay, plantation manager

Sarlow, the Ward's agent in Singapore

Li Yuan, Japanese millionaire

Whitey Jahal, Singapore gangster

Joan Robb, Andrew Robb's daughter

Explorers on The Hawk:

Michael Ward, Ronald's father

Henry Maclin-Clyne

Andrew Robb

Tom Gresham

Bob Rankin

Locale: Taletee Island, Malaysia; and Singapore

Synopsis: Ship's surgeon Dr. Ronald Ward is on his father's plantation on Taletee Island in Malaysia. He has come to handle the estate of his father, Michael Ward, who has recently died. The plantation is being run by the manager, Gourlay.

One night a stranger enters the house and leaves a package addressed to Michael Ward, apparently unaware he is dead. Ronald opens the package to find a small gold skull and a mysterious note. Goulay says Michael had some dealings with that person before. Ronald wraps up the estate business and heads home on the steamer Watabi. Two murders occur on board, accompanied by gold skulls and a maniacal laugh. Ronald figures out the murders are connected to those who sailed on the Hawk with his father on an expedition.

The steamer catches fire and sinks, and Ronald escapes on a raft. He is picked up by the Japanese yacht Sen-Chu and finds the owner, Li Yuan, gravely ill with appendicitis. Ronald operates using kitchen utensils, and Li Yuan, in gratitude, tells him how to find the people behind the gold skulls in Singapore. Once in Singapore, Ronald assumes the alias of Bob Curle and immerses himself in the waterfront underworld of gangster Whitey Jahal. Ronald and Joan Robb are kidnapped and taken on a boat to the island of Batai, home of a tribe of headhunters.

Review: This is a good read for a cold winter night as we deal with the hot, steamy tropics and rusty old steamships. Packard brings his usual wealth! of exclamation points! in every sentence! to this story! as Ronald encounters amazing adventures! Murder, shipwrecks, adrift on a raft, waterfront gambling hells and bars, and even headhunters! Suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride!