THE RETURN OF THE GREAT BRAIN

by John D. Fitzgerald ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 31, 1974

The Great Brain is now a reformed character (see KR, 1973) although his money-loving heart is still in the same place. Under a suspended sentence of ostracism, Tom must now develop ever more circuitous, yet technically aboveboard, stratagems for making a quick buck. Undaunted, Tom organizes a wheel of fortune in which every number wins and breaks an ""unridable"" wild jackass to the amazement and financial ruin of his friends. (Fitzgerald is from Utah, and should know, but he seems to have gotten the relationship between burros and mules ass backwards in this incident.) Tom proves that he is at the height of his brainy powers by solving a local murder/ train robbery through whiz-bang Sherlockian deduction and he actually earns his first honest dollar -- in the process heroically rescuing a comrade who is hanging by his fingernails from a high cliff. Of course there are times when both Tom and his creator seem at a loss for new ploys, and Tom's honest magic show and futile attempt to cure a friend afflicted by puppy love hold no surprises. Tom had more impressive opponents at the Jesuit academy, but his ability to think circles around an easy mark like brother J.D. will continue to dazzle his fans.

Pub Date: May 31, 1974

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Dial

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1974

Categories: FICTION