'Boston Blackie: Stories Around the Opium Lamp' Summary

These early stories depict Boston Blackie as a more morally ambiguous character than he later became, driven by his addiction to opium and his life of crime. The stories unfold in a gritty and realistic setting, with Boyle drawing on his own experiences in San Francisco and his time behind bars. We see Blackie navigate the dark underbelly of the city, outsmarting the police and engaging in dangerous schemes to support his habit. The stories showcase Boyle's talent for capturing the suspense and intrigue of a world on the edge, and they offer a fascinating glimpse into the origins of a beloved fictional character.