Book Review: The Mystery of the Timber Giant by Fran Striker
Tom Quest, teen adventurer, and his newspaper columnist friend Whiz Walton are at the San Francisco airport to see Tom’s scientist father Dr. Hamilton Quest off on a vacation to Hawaii. Once done with that, they’ll be off on their own flight to Texas. They’re flabbergasted when their rancher friend Gulliver shows up at the airport instead. It seems he’s gotten a letter from his old friend “Halfpint” Hoolihan saying there’s big trouble in timber country. And Gulliver wants his friends to help!
Francis Hamilton “Fran” Striker (1903-1962) is best known for his radio work, where he created classic characters the Lone Ranger and the Green Hornet. But his Tom Quest Adventure series (of which this is the eighth and final volume) was also popular back in the 1950s.
Tom is typical of boys’ adventure heroes of the time, clean-cut, athletic, polite, and handsome in a non-threatening way. Gulliver’s in his early 50s or thereabouts, but still strong and ready to fight; his expertise is everything outdoorsy. Whiz is in his 30s, and more street-smart, a smooth talker who knows how to lie and see through lies. They originally met because all three happened to be wearing identical signet rings with a question mark spiral.
According to Hoolihan’s letter, there’s a syndicate that’s trying to monopolize the timber industry on the West Coast, a “timber giant.” (No Bigfoot plotline here, sorry.) Those timber operators and landowners who don’t fall for dubious financial deals find their operations suffering mysterious accidents, and it’s clear the people behind the syndicate won’t hesitate to use arson or murder if they have to. (Content warning: suicide.)
There’s not a whole lot of mystery, despite the title; the person behind the syndicate is exactly who you think it is the moment they appear in the story. The heroes don’t rush to judgement on the issue, but it’s pretty clear they know something’s up with this guy. Instead, the plot moves from encounter to encounter with frequent moments of peril.
Gulliver and Whiz do most of the work, but Tom does have a moment when he puts his championship swimming skills to the test. Back in the day, children’s books didn’t insist that children always be the most competent person.
Fran Striker knew how to write exciting adventure for children, and this is a fun story. However, attitudes about the lumber industry and conservation have changed, and parents of young readers may want to discuss this with their kids.
This book is suitable for fourth-grade boys on up, but finding a copy may be difficult as it hasn’t been reprinted in years. Try your finer used book stores.
