 |
 |
 |
|
The Spider #91 Audiobook
Slaves of the Burning Blade
by Norvell W. Page writing as Grant Stockbridge
Read by Nick Santa Maria
Of only one factor was Richard Wentworth certain: Sperryville’s super terrorist was The Knife — most dreaded and bizarre murderer Europe ever sent us! But was The Knife posing as Sergeant Maurice, sworn enemy of Wentworth and the Spider? Or as Madame Latonga, mystic who wielded such uncanny power? Was it Clem Zamas, leader of the Knights of Liberty, who attempted justice in outlaw fashion? These were the vital puzzles the Spider must solve in one short night — though sorely wounded, hunted... and hated!
While the Spider borrowed his black slouch hat and cloak from the Shadow, the character was significantly different. The Spider stories are all about action, intensity, and pacing. Wentworth is strongly emotional, plumbing the thrills of victory as readily, and as deeply, as the depths of despair during his escapades. His long-suffering fiancée, Nita van Sloan, is a worthy character in her own right. As additional exotic spice, Wentworth maintains a Sikh manservant/warrior companion, Ram Singh, as well as chauffeur Ronald Jackson, the sergeant from his old army days. Rounding out the cast of characters is Commissioner of Police Stanley Kirkpatrick, Wentworth’s staunch friend and the Spider’s greatest adversary; Kirkpatrick himself lives in a state of constant angst for fear that duty will one day force him to send his friend to the electric chair as punishment for the Spider’s crimes.
Nick Santa Maria reads Slaves of the Burning Blade with the crackling intensity you have come to expect of his superb talent. Originally published in The Spider magazine, April, 1941.
Chapter 1: Kidnaped
Chapter 2: Trapped!
Chapter 3: While There’s Life...
Chapter 4: Chief Stone’s Trickery
Chapter 5: Fugitives
Chapter 6: Nita’s Quest
Chapter 7: Disastrous Clue
Chapter 8: Death at the Throttle!
Chapter 9: Lynch Law
Chapter 10: The Knife Triumphant
Chapter 11: Slave of The Knife
Chapter 12: The Rat Trap
Chapter 13: Knights of Liberty
Chapter 14: Race With Death
Chapter 15: The Knife
Nick Santa Maria Nick was born early in life in Brooklyn, NY. His theatrical background is based in Comedy Improv. He was a long standing member of the late lamented Miami based, Mental Floss, where he served as head writer/composer. From there he began his career in commercials, voice-overs, TV, Film, and theatre. He has performed in many roles on the stage including his award winning turn as Nick in Over The River And Through The Woods, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, in The 25th Annual Putnam Country Spelling Bee as Mr. Panch (3-D Theatricals), Mr. Bromhead in No Sex Please, We’re British at The Norris, and as Pseudolus in, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum at the Norris Theatre. Television: The Buffalo Bill Show, B.J. Stryker, and two Disney Christmas Specials. Off Broadway: Writer/Composer/Performer on Secrets Every Smart Traveler Should Know, Soundtrack on RCA Victor. Broadway: Vince Fontaine in Tommy Tune’s production of Grease. He also appeared in every domestic company of Mel Brooks’ The Producers, understudying everyone from Nathan Lane and Jason Alexander, to Tony Danza and David Hassellhoff. He was the original Genie in Disney’s Aladdin, a Musical Spectacular, soundtrack on Disney Records. Nick is a resident of Los Angeles and is currently writing a book about classic film comedians, Nick’s been a long time film historian, and has written several articles on the topic.
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
