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The Spider #93 Audiobook
The Benevolent Order of Death
by Norvell W. Page writing as Grant Stockbridge
Read by Nick Santa Maria
A strange hypnotic power of persuasion; the blind, deathless loyalty of innocent thousands; and a ruthless use of the hostage system — these were the weapons of Barnum Wright, leader of the Benevolent Order of Americans! Because of them, Richard Wentworth, alias the Spider, was handicapped at the very beginning of his battle to prove that the B.O.A. was a “front” for the most invulnerable band of murdering pirates ever to be organized!
Spider Author Norvell W. Page, described the character he largely created this way: “For Richard Wentworth was a nemesis of the night, a swift and secret avenger who meted out lethal justice to those of the Underworld who dared to raise their hand against humanity; he was the man known throughout half the civilized world as the Spider, and tonight he wore the disguise that would instantly identify him as that dread killer. A long, black cape covered twisted shoulders. A broad-brimmed hat tightly pulled down over a lank wig shadowed a beak-nosed face. The eyes that glittered there were steely with bitter hatred.”
Wentworth himself believed in his mission implicitly:
“He was, he told himself, no longer a human being, but a cause. He was the Spider! He must live to defend humanity....”
The reader could easily believe it. With a “cold cosmic anger” in his eyes, the Spider performed feats of preternatural endurance that would have demolished an ordinary mortal.
Nick Santa Maria brings the action to vibrant life, narrating with a fever-pitch intensity. The Benevolent Order of Death originally published in The Spider magazine, June, 1941.
Chapter 1: Death’s Storm Troopers
Chapter 2: Death Corner
Chapter 3: Where Danger Lurks
Chapter 4: The Right People
Chapter 5: Death Watch
Chapter 6: Guarantee in Hell
Chapter 7: Payment in Kind
Chapter 8: The New Convert
Chapter 9: Death March
Chapter 10: To The Gallows!
Chapter 11: Vengeance!
Chapter 12: Sergeant Nita
Chapter 13: Lynching Bee
Chapter 14: Death’s Bride
Chapter 15: Hell’s Favors
Chapter 16: Right and Wright
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.
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