🩸 Horror Fiction

Fire-Tongue

✍️ Sax Rohmer
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$18.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Detective Paul Harley battles a secret society in the Middle East.

The narrative centers on Paul Harley, a British detective tasked with stopping a coup. He responds to a warning from Sheikh Ismail and enters a dangerous environment filled with deception. The antagonist group, the Order of the Scorpion, uses both political maneuvering and supernatural elements to achieve their aims. Harley must rely on his wits to prevent a catastrophic attack. The text highlights the tension between colonial powers and local resistance movements during that era.

Key Themes
secret societies British colonialism supernatural phenomena
Literary Context

Published before 1921, this work reflects early twentieth-century British anxieties about Middle Eastern politics. It draws on the tradition of exotic adventure fiction popular in the post-war period. The setting emphasizes the clash between Western authority and emerging Islamic movements.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Arthur Conan Doyle · early espionage thrillers · gothic adventure fiction
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Double 9 Booksllp 📅 2023 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9789358017809

📝 Description: Fire-Tongue

Sax Rohmer, known for creating Dr. Fu Manchu, wrote Fire-Tongue before 1921. This novel follows British detective Paul Harley as he investigates a sinister conspiracy in the Middle East. The plot begins when Harley receives a cryptic message from former client Sheikh Ismail, who warns of imminent danger. Harley travels to the region and discovers the Order of the Scorpion, a secret society plotting to overthrow the British colonial government. Their goal is to establish a new Islamic caliphate. Harley faces deadly assassins, treacherous allies, and supernatural phenomena while unraveling this web of intrigue. The story features fast-paced action and colorful characters within an exotic setting. Readers who enjoy adventure fiction with political undertones will appreciate the narrative. Those seeking gentle romance or contemporary settings may find the tone too harsh. The book remains a thrilling account of early twentieth-century espionage.

💎 Our verdict on Fire-Tongue

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Sax Rohmer delivers a tense narrative that effectively blends detective work with supernatural elements and political conspiracy. The story excels in creating an atmosphere of deception and immediate danger, keeping the reader engaged through its fast-paced action sequences. While the colonial context provides historical texture, the focus remains firmly on Paul Harley’s wits against the Order of the Scorpion. This book suits best those who enjoy adventure fiction with political depth and exotic settings. It is less ideal for readers preferring gentle romances or modern sensibilities. Rohmer’s background in creating Dr. Fu Manchu informs the sinister tone, resulting in a thrilling, if somewhat dated, exploration of early espionage and cultural clash.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate fast-paced action combined with political intrigue will find this novel particularly engaging. It offers a thrilling account of early twentieth-century espionage, ideal for those interested in the complex dynamics between colonial authorities and local resistance. The narrative provides an exotic setting filled with danger, making it suitable for fans of adventure fiction with serious undertones. However, it may not appeal to readers seeking gentle romance or contemporary realism due to its harsh tone and historical context. It serves as a compelling entry point for those curious about the origins of modern spy thrillers and the literary depiction of secret societies during times of imperial conflict.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Sax Rohmer delivers a tense narrative that effectively blends detective work with supernatural elements and political conspiracy. The story excels in creating an atmosphere of deception and immediate danger, keeping the reader engaged through its fast-paced action sequences. While the colonial context provides historical texture, the focus remains firmly on Paul Harley’s wits against the Order of the Scorpion. This book suits best those who enjoy adventure fiction with political depth and exotic settings. It is less ideal for readers preferring gentle romances or modern sensibilities. Rohmer’s background in creating Dr. Fu Manchu informs the sinister tone, resulting in a thrilling, if somewhat dated, exploration of early espionage and cultural clash.

✍️ More books by this author Sax Rohmer

The Day the World Ended
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Sax Rohmer
The Day the World Ended
$14.99
78
Read →
Brood of the Witch-Queen
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.3
Sax Rohmer
Brood of the Witch-Queen
$24.95
69
Read →
The Green Eyes of Bast
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Sax Rohmer
The Green Eyes of Bast
$23.95
81
Read →
The Day the World Ended
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Sax Rohmer
The Day the World Ended
$29.99
78
Read →
Brood of the Witch-Queen
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Sax Rohmer
Brood of the Witch-Queen
$22.95
81
Read →
Brood of the Witch Queen
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Sax Rohmer
Brood of the Witch Queen
$19.95
78
Read →

🏛 Books from this publisher Double 9 Booksllp

The Frozen Deep
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Wilkie Collins
The Frozen Deep
$14.99
81
Read →
The Sorrows of Satan
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Marie Corelli
The Sorrows of Satan
$29.99
78
Read →
The Haunted Bookshop
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Christopher Morley
The Haunted Bookshop
$17.99
78
Read →
Famous Modern Ghost Stories
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Dorothy Scarborough
Famous Modern Ghost Stories
$21.99
81
Read →
The Beetle
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Richard Marsh
The Beetle
$25.99
81
Read →
The Dunwich Horror
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
H P Lovecraft
The Dunwich Horror
$12.99
78
Read →

You might also like

See more →
Fire Tongue
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
1
Sax Rohmer
Fire Tongue
$18.99
81
Read →
The Green Eyes of Bast
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Sax Rohmer
The Green Eyes of Bast
$34.95
86
Read →
The Old Nurse's Story And Other Tales
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Elizabeth Gaskell
The Old Nurse's Story And Other Tales
$18.99
86
Read →
The Works Of Edgar Allan Poe Vol. 4
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Poe Edgar Allan
The Works Of Edgar Allan Poe Vol. 4
$19.99
86
Read →
The Haunted Hotel
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Wilkie Collins
The Haunted Hotel
$17.99
86
Read →
Curious, If True
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell
Curious, If True
$19.99
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist