Sax Rohmer, one of the pen names of Arthur Henry Ward (1883-1959), was an exceedingly popular fiction writer in his day. Today, though, he barely rates more than a footnote. Which is too bad, as he is a more than adequate read even today. And what’s more, his early books you can get free from Project Gutenberg or Internet Archive.

Best known for his Dr. Fu Manchu series, Rohmer wrote many other works as well. Among them the exploits of occult detective Morris Law, and standalone novels such as Brood of the Witch-Queen and The Green Eyes of Bâst.

Not long ago, I read The Green Eyes of Bâst and thoroughly enjoyed the novel. It’s a delightful blend of murder mystery and occult intrigue, with a mad scientist thrown in, and a healthy dollop of pseudoscience. The atmosphere is darkly sinister.

The story begins in London with American journalist Jack Addison in a funk because the woman he loves got engaged while he was away on assignment. He realizes the fault is his own because he said nothing to her about his feelings before he left.

One night, on his way home, he witnesses a strange sight — a pair of green eyes staring at him from out of the darkness. Cat eyes. This is coupled with his finding the next morning of giant prints in his garden that look like cat feet.

After finding the disturbing foot prints he goes to work and learns that a murder took place in a house he had walked past on his way home the previous night.

Addison teams up with Inspector Gatton of Scotland Yard, and together they pursue solving the murder.

Addison has a special interest in solving the crime because the victim is Sir Marcus Coverly and his cousin and heir, Eric Coverly, fiancé to Addison’s old flame Isobel, is the chief suspect.

Eventually Addison and Gatton get to the bottom of the mystery, but not before more murders are committed and we are spooked by more encounters with the mysterious green eyes.

I found this 103 year old novel a satisfying read. It not only has the standard murder mystery plot, but it has a second darkly occult storyline revolving around the mysterious green eyes that make repeated appearances. 

Rohmer deepens the sinister atmosphere with howling dogs and a mad scientist. The repeated references to ancient Egypt and the goddess Bâst in particular add to the dark intrigue.

Even after the big reveal, the danger and suspense do not end. And Addison and Gatton must make a final rescue.

Rohmer is a master at crafting mood and atmosphere, and it is the darkly sinister atmosphere that makes this novel sing.

As with all of us, Sax Rohmer was a product of his time. Some people will take offense at some of the sentiments in the book. However, Rohmer was also atypical of his time. 

His villain (and he may not actually be the villain), Dr. Grefe, is a Eurasian scholar. Rohmer goes to great lengths to present the non-white and non-European Grefe as a victim of an academic world biased against him. Rather unusual for a novel published in 1920.

The Green Eyes of Bâst, is a rousing murder mystery with occult undertones. If you like murder mysteries and the occult, give the book a read. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. It is available for free from Project Gutenberg and Internet Archive.

Until next time, happy reading!