Jack O' Judgment

Jack O'Judgment is a 1920 thriller novel by the British writer Edgar Wallace. It features a vigilante who takes action against a gang of blackmailers, using a mysterious identity and leaving the Jack of Clubs as a calling card. Excerpt: "He looked at the thing in perplexity, for the fate of his erstwhile assistant had long since passed from his mind. Then he saw writing on the margin of the card, and twisting it sideways read: "JACK O' JUDGMENT." Nothing more! "Jack o' Judgment!" The colonel screwed up his tired eyes as if to shut out a vision."

Richard Horatio Edgar Wallace (1875–1932) was a prolific English writer, who penned in excess of 170 novels, as well as numerous plays, screenplays, and articles. Born into modest circumstances in London and having a tumultuous childhood, Wallace developed a rich imagination, which fueled his later literary pursuits. Early in his career, he found employment as a war correspondent for Reuters and later for The Daily Mail, experiences which honed his writing craft and enhanced his narrative skills. What truly marked Wallace's literary achievement was his foray into the crime novel genre, where he gained fame for populating his stories with engaging detectives and enthralling mysteries. His work 'Jack O' Judgment' stands as a testament to his compelling storytelling, wherein he introduces the reader to an enduring battle between a vigilante and a criminal syndicate. This book, like many others in Wallace's oeuvre, showcases his flair for suspense and knack for delivering satisfying twists. Wallace's literary style combined fast-paced plots with a focus on action, which made his work extremely popular during the early 20th century and established him as a master of the crime thriller. Despite passing away prematurely at the age of 56 due to complications from diabetes, Edgar Wallace left an indelible mark on the literary world, influencing future generations of crime novelists and earning a celebrated place in the pantheon of English literature.