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TWISTED FACE

twisted_face_bk_devilsapprentice twisted_face_bk_avenger twisted_face_bk_defendstitle twisted_face_bk_deatharp twisted_face_bk_traitorunmasked twisted_face_bk_princespies twisted_face_bk_theman
 
Full Name: Straussman
Nationality: German
Organization: None
Occupation Other - Evil Genius
Creator: Gilderoy Davison
Time Span: 1931 - 1945

ABOUT THE SERIES

Straussman, aka 'Twisted Face', is an evil genius.

He is also a man who is devoting his entire life, all his energies and desires and schemes, to either taking over (his preference) or destroying (his Plan B) the country of England. His hatred for that island nation is all-consuming and anything English is something to be subjugated or eradicated. (I am not sure whether this hostility extends westward to Wales or northward to Scotland. And there is no mention that I found of Ireland. I think it is just the English but unfortunately for those others, they are close enough to be caught up in the turmoil.)

It is important at this point to mention a fellow member of this compendium, Peter Castle, because while Twisted Face, as he is more commonly known to the small number of readers who remember him. Castle is a detective with either Scotland Yard or Special Branch (a bit confusing there) who is one of those in the U.K. who have been thrust into the conflict with Straussman. While there are several adventures of Twisted Face where he will not go up against Castle and there are a couple where Castle will go after other bad guys, there is no doubt these two have enough confrontations as to qualify for the position of 'nemesis' for the other.

...more to come

BOOKS

Number of Books:10
First Appearance:1931
Last Appearance:1945
1 The Man with the Twisted Face The Man with the Twisted Face
Written by Gilderoy Davison
Copyright: 1931
Straussman, the man with the twisted face, makes his first foray into England in the hopes of bring that island nation under his control. Special Branch officer Peter Castle is determined to stop him.
2 The Prince of Spies The Prince of Spies
Written by Gilderoy Davison
Copyright: 1932
The man with the twisted face, Straussman, is back. "We again encounter that deformed, satanic creature, with the ghastly hypnotic eyes, whose attempts to bring about the destruction of Britain were only frustrated at the last minute. This time he plays an equally sinister part, and the efforts of the authorities to prevent the fruition of his devastating plans make up a story of tense and gripping excitement."
Once again Peter Castle is his nemesis.
3 A Traitor Unmasked A Traitor Unmasked
Written by Gilderoy Davison
Copyright: 1932
"In this story we learn how Straussman, the master spy, was branded for life by the ghastly disfigurement that earned for him the title of 'The Man with the Twisted Face'. Once again we are warned of his advent by that inexplicable atmosphere of pending evil that has for ever heralded his coming. It was on the sunny banks of the Cam that his presence was first manifested, a presence that was soon to shatter the peace of the whole of the old University town."
              
4 The Devil's Apprentice The Devil's Apprentice
Written by Gilderoy Davison
Copyright: 1933
"Another tale of espionage and suspense featuring the master spy known as "The Man With The Twisted Face". This is a story in which that master spy, the man with the twisted face, whose machinations have already thrilled countless readers, once again endeavours to bring his nefarious schemes to a successful conclusion. This demoniac creature, whose brain is a twisted as his features, sets in motion the wheels of an organization which is planning to ruin Britain, and, but for the valiant efforts of young secret service men, it would almost have succeeded in its aim."
5 Twisted Face, the Avenger Twisted Face, the Avenger
Written by Gilderoy Davison
Copyright: 1935
"In this tale Twisted Face plays his hand with customary cunning and deviltry, and gives his adversaries many alarming moments with his schemes to gain the mastery of the world. This man, whose brain is a crooked as his face, will stop at nothing to achieve his ends; blackmail and murder are his weapons and he uses them against his unhappy victims with ruthless indifference. For him, human life has no value; no sacrifice is too great provided that his own skin is safe and his purpose is served. Such a creature is the Man With the Twisted Face, the man whose satanic power rocked the peace of the world and almost plunged the nations into bloody conflict."
6 Death in the A.R.P. Death in the A.R.P.
Written by Gilderoy Davison
Copyright: 1939
While the title "suggests very topical setting, but turns out to be a mixture of thriller and detective yarn centred round the murder of an Essex village A.R.P. [Air Raid Precautions] warden. Suspicion is cast on Miss Lemome and the ill-assorted group of people who make up her household, among them a foreign princess masquerading as a governess, Plot soon develops into something of international importance and the Secret Service is called in to do expert snooping." "...Spies roam the countryside. Hitler has a lot to answer for."
7 Twisted Face Strikes Again Twisted Face Strikes Again
Written by Gilderoy Davison
Copyright: 1939
A various set of circumstances draws pointed attention to a farm where mushrooms are grown in specially build houses. But there is a part of this structure which is shut off, and this, along with mysterious comings and goings, a couple of murders and inactivity on the part of the police, makes Malcolm Bruce and Dr. Colin Wallace into amateur sleuths. They blunder about recklessly, thus making the work of Hugh Castle and Colonel Royston twice as difficult as it needed to be. Straussman is a wonder at disguising himself, and Professor Le Grand seems to be a sinister figure enough. The story rambles unduly but it is sufficiently interesting.
8 A Dog Fight with Death A Dog Fight with Death
Written by Gilderoy Davison
Copyright: 1940
[plot unknown]
9 Twisted Face Defends His Title Twisted Face Defends His Title
Written by Gilderoy Davison
Copyright: 1940
"A tense crime drama in which the eponymous master criminal defends his empire against his rebellious apprentice, Otto!"
10 Satan's Satellite Satan's Satellite
Written by Gilderoy Davison
Copyright: 1945
[plot unknown]

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