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[image error] 4 out of 5A novelization of the public-domain film "The DevilBat" (PRC, 1940).

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REVIEW:
Johnny Layton tried his hand at being a cop, then he fellback to being a PI, but in the end realized his calling was a reporter. Hislove of interviewing people led him to this position.
The newspaper that he works for has a large advertisingaccount with a leading cosmetics company. When one of the owner's sons lifeends in tragedy, Johnny, and the newspaper's best photography, 'one shot'McGuire, are sent to cover the story.
Johnny and 'one shot' are anything but friends. I found thejabs at each other comical in an otherwise somber situation. Both men slowlyrealize that if they want to make it home alive, and still employed, they aregoing to have to stick together.
FROM THE BOOK:
So there we were: twoguys who couldn't stand the sight of each other working together for theirmutual survival.
With Johnny's detective background, he realizes that thedeath of the fortunes heir was more than just a random attack. The body countstarts racking up, and everyone has their speculations to the true causes,besides the ever evident presence of a monstrous bat.
The premise of this story was taken from the 1940's movie"Devil Bat". I found myself reliving the movie "Clue" instead with the varietyof characters. The French maid with a thick accent, the older doctor with thepiercing stare, and the wise talking photographer, are to name a few. All ofthem holed up in an extravagant mansion investigating the mysterious murders.
The title of this book is the Devil Bat Diary: The Journal of Johnny Layton, and even though thebook does not read like a diary or journal, it is equally entertaining. PeterH. Brothers does a fine job of retelling the movie, and I would recommend thisis lovers of horror classics.

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