In 'The Film of Fear,' Frederic Arnold Kummer masterfully intertwines suspense and the dawn of the film industry, crafting a detective novel that is both evocative of its era and timelessly engaging. The narrative focuses on Ruth Morton, a radiant film star embroiled in a web of mysterious threats, which lead to the involvement of the astute detective Richard Duvall. Kummer's writing is imbued with the intricacies of the early 20th-century cinematic world, enriched by his keen understanding of the genre's narrative style and its broader historical and literary context. The authenticity of the period detail and the elegance of the prose style offer a cinematic reading experience that mirrors the glamor and drama of the silver screen itself.Frederic Arnold Kummer's extensive career produced works that delved into realms of mystery, romance, and adventure. Kummer, steeped in the blossoming film industry, translated this firsthand knowledge into his writing, creating an ambiance with a palpable sense of immediacy and verisimilitude. His experiences as a playwright and screenwriter are evident in the structural precision and dialogic fineness of his novel. Notably, Kummer's choice to write under the pseudonym Arnold Fredericks for his detective series, featuring the character Richard Duvall, reflects his understanding of literary branding within genre fiction, and 'The Film of Fear' stands as a testament to the depth of his creative versatility.'The Film of Fear' comes highly recommended for aficionados of classic detective fiction and lovers of historical novels. The book provides a captivating glimpse into the early film industry, presented through a lens of intrigue and suspense. Readers who appreciate a well-constructed plot with rich character development and a strong sense of place will find Kummer's work both satisfying and thought-provoking. As a piece of literary art and a snapshot of cultural history, this novel merits a place on the bookshelves of the discerning reader, offering not just a story but an experience that resonates beyond its pages.

Frederic Arnold Kummer (18731943) was an American author, screenwriter, and dramatist renowned for his contributions to early 20th-century fiction, particularly in the genres of mystery and detective stories. Born into the Victorian era's tradition of storytelling, Kummer's literary prowess began to surface in the incipient years of the 20th century. He crafted his narratives with a keen eye for suspense and an appetite for the unexpected, qualities that are vividly evident in his book 'The Film of Fear' (1917). In this novel, Kummer delivers a tale that intricately blends the burgeoning world of cinema with the timeless allure of crime and detective work, making it a forerunner in the mystery genre that appealed to an audience fascinated by both film and fiction. His work is often characterized by a tightly woven plot, engaging character development, and a narrative pace that maintained readers' attention from the first page to the last. Kummer's influence in his field is noted for its alignment with the silent film era, as his storytelling techniques translated well to screenplay adaptations, thus bridging the literary and visual storytelling arts. Despite a prolific career spanning numerous contributions, Kummer's name is not as widely recognized as some of his contemporaries, but his works, including 'The Film of Fear', continue to be regarded as significant pieces in the corpus of early mystery literature.