Twelve Times Zero By: Howard Browne (1908-1999)
In Twelve Times Zero, Howard Browne delivers a gripping tale that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, noir, and science fiction. Set against the backdrop of a futuristic Los Angeles, Browne's masterful storytelling pulls readers in from the very first page and keeps them hooked until the shocking climax. The story revolves around the enigmatic protagonist, who finds himself framed for a series of heinous crimes he has no recollection of committing. As he embarks on a desperate quest to clear his name, he must navigate a treacherous landscape filled with corrupt cops, dangerous criminals, and an underground society with its own dark secrets. Browne's writing style is both elegant and gritty, perfectly capturing the dark underbelly of this dystopian world. The author's attention to detail and intricate plot twists keep readers on the edge of their seats, constantly second-guessing and trying to unravel the tangled web of deception and intrigue. What makes this book truly unique is Browne's incorporation of science fiction elements. From advanced technology to mind-altering drugs, the author seamlessly integrates these futuristic aspects into the narrative, lending an air of otherworldly mystery to the story. Yet, at its core, Twelve Times Zero remains a gritty noir thriller, filled with moral ambiguity and flawed characters. The protagonist's journey is deeply introspective, as he grapples with his own forgotten past and seeks redemption amidst a society in decay. Browne expertly delves into his psyche, offering readers a glimpse into a troubled mind where memories, truth, and identity become intertwined in a mesmerizing dance. While some may find the intricate plot twists and multiple layers of deception a bit challenging to follow, those willing to invest their attention will be richly rewarded. Browne's storytelling prowess shines through, creating a vivid tapestry of a world both familiar and eerily distorted. In Twelve Times Zero, Howard Browne showcases his talent for crafting intricate and thought-provoking stories that linger in the mind long after the final page. With its blend of mystery, noir, and science fiction, this novel is a must-read for fans of the genre, delivering a compelling narrative that pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling. First Page: TWELVE times ZERO By Howard Browne [Transcriber Note: This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction March 1952. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] [Sidenote: It was a love triangle murder that made today's headlines but the answer lay hundreds of thousands of light years away! ] [Illustration: Police grilled him mercilessly, while eyes from a hundred worlds looked on. ] Chapter I They brought him into one of the basement rooms. He moved slowly and with a kind of painful dignity, as a man moves on his way to the firing squad. A rumpled shock of black hair pointed up the extreme pallor of a gaunt face, empty at the moment of all expression. Harsh light from an overhead fixture winked back from tiny beads of perspiration dotting the waxen skin of his forehead. The three men with him watched him out of faces as expressionless as his own. They were ordinary men who wore ordinary clothing in an ordinary way, yet in the way they moved and in the way they stood you knew they were hard men who were in a hard and largely unpleasant business. One of them motioned casually toward a straight backed chair almost exactly in the center of the room... Continue reading book >>

Twelve Times Zero By: Howard Browne (1908-1999)

In Twelve Times Zero, Howard Browne delivers a gripping tale that seamlessly blends elements of mystery, noir, and science fiction. Set against the backdrop of a futuristic Los Angeles, Browne's masterful storytelling pulls readers in from the very first page and keeps them hooked until the shocking climax.

The story revolves around the enigmatic protagonist, who finds himself framed for a series of heinous crimes he has no recollection of committing. As he embarks on a desperate quest to clear his name, he must navigate a treacherous landscape filled with corrupt cops, dangerous criminals, and an underground society with its own dark secrets.

Browne's writing style is both elegant and gritty, perfectly capturing the dark underbelly of this dystopian world. The author's attention to detail and intricate plot twists keep readers on the edge of their seats, constantly second-guessing and trying to unravel the tangled web of deception and intrigue.

What makes this book truly unique is Browne's incorporation of science fiction elements. From advanced technology to mind-altering drugs, the author seamlessly integrates these futuristic aspects into the narrative, lending an air of otherworldly mystery to the story. Yet, at its core, Twelve Times Zero remains a gritty noir thriller, filled with moral ambiguity and flawed characters.

The protagonist's journey is deeply introspective, as he grapples with his own forgotten past and seeks redemption amidst a society in decay. Browne expertly delves into his psyche, offering readers a glimpse into a troubled mind where memories, truth, and identity become intertwined in a mesmerizing dance.

While some may find the intricate plot twists and multiple layers of deception a bit challenging to follow, those willing to invest their attention will be richly rewarded. Browne's storytelling prowess shines through, creating a vivid tapestry of a world both familiar and eerily distorted.

In Twelve Times Zero, Howard Browne showcases his talent for crafting intricate and thought-provoking stories that linger in the mind long after the final page. With its blend of mystery, noir, and science fiction, this novel is a must-read for fans of the genre, delivering a compelling narrative that pushes the boundaries of traditional storytelling.

First Page:

TWELVE times ZERO

By Howard Browne

[Transcriber Note: This etext was produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction March 1952. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]

[Sidenote: It was a love triangle murder that made today's headlines but the answer lay hundreds of thousands of light years away! ]

[Illustration: Police grilled him mercilessly, while eyes from a hundred worlds looked on. ]

Chapter I

They brought him into one of the basement rooms. He moved slowly and with a kind of painful dignity, as a man moves on his way to the firing squad. A rumpled shock of black hair pointed up the extreme pallor of a gaunt face, empty at the moment of all expression. Harsh light from an overhead fixture winked back from tiny beads of perspiration dotting the waxen skin of his forehead.

The three men with him watched him out of faces as expressionless as his own. They were ordinary men who wore ordinary clothing in an ordinary way, yet in the way they moved and in the way they stood you knew they were hard men who were in a hard and largely unpleasant business.

One of them motioned casually toward a straight backed chair almost exactly in the center of the room... Continue reading book >>

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