Tales of the Red Panda: The Crime Cabal

By: Gregg Taylor

Narrated by: Gregg Taylor

Even the united remnants of Toronto's defeated underworld could not resist the city's new masked protectors. But when they join with the murderous might of some of the masked marvels' deadliest foes, can even the Red Panda match the strength of...The Crime Cabal?

The characters from Decoder Ring Theatre's long-running full-cast audio drama series The Red Panda Adventures here make the leap into two-fisted pulp-style prose in spectacular style. Read by the author, Tales of the Red Panda: The Crime Cabal is a perfect introduction for new follwers of the masked protectors of Depression-era Toronto, and a wonderful treat for fans of classic adventure fiction, old-time radio, and the golden age of heroes.

©2009 Gregg Taylor (P)2012 Gregg Taylor

The Red Panda, Canada's greatest super Hero

Would you listen to Tales of the Red Panda: The Crime Cabal again? Why?

Yes, it's is a short undemanding story but with enough going on to keep you engaged

What other book might you compare Tales of the Red Panda: The Crime Cabal to and why?

The first comparison is always the Decoder Ring Theatre Red Panda podcasts. While this was nicely done. I do miss the full cast radio drama feel of the original podcasts. Greg is spectacularly talented and does a wonderful job on all characters but he did far to good a job performing and casting the original for it to be comparable. It's close but who wouldn't miss the addition of the Flying Squirrel?

Which scene was your favorite?

The scene at club Macaw ( a gentleman's club)

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No not really, it's written in the format of the old light radio dramas from the 40's and 50's but with more of a print comic book feel to it.

Any additional comments?

How does he do it? I'm sure he dresses in a classic suit, places a fedora on his head, fingers the crimson mask in his pocket. Just as the tendrils of the cold gray Canadian dawn transports him back to another time. A time when a well dressed man, a few gadgets, a fast car and a strong moral compass could make a difference.

Great Pulp Crime fighter story.

It was well paced, very engaging and had a sense of fun That seems to rare in novels today. Good old fashioned crime fighting.

entertaining pulp adventure

Would you consider the audio edition of Tales of the Red Panda: The Crime Cabal to be better than the print version?

I don't usually praise an audio rendition of a book over reading the written word, but in the case of the Crime Cabal, the chance to hear Gregg Taylor's performance is a real highlight and not to be missed.

What does Gregg Taylor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Gregg Taylor, the writer and lead actor in the "Tales of the Red Panda" online knows how to deliver an action packed and extremely entertaining story. His love of the genre shines through and in the reading of this, his first book, he brings his characters to life with as much enthusiasm and skill as he does in any of his excellent radio play performances. I've given this first effort a sold four stars. It's a genre piece, so expect cheesy villains and high heroics... and it's a shame his wife and co-star from the radio series was not available to voice the Flying Squirrel. Despite this, Gregg's excellent delivery demonstrates the depth of his understanding of his characters (and no small amount of his skill as an actor).This is old-time pulp adventure for a modern audience and it does its job beautifully. I can't recommend it enough.For fans of the podcast, this book gives us a great look at the origin story of one the show's more enduring recurring characters as well; agent Andie Parker.If you haven't given Gregg Taylor's work a try before now (and seriously, what have you been waiting for?) then you could do little better than grabbing a copy of "The Crime Cabal".

"Interesting point"

Chances are most likely that your are here because you have listened to the free episodes of The Red Panda over at Decoder Ring Theater.

If so, then just get this. More of the same goodness you have come to love. Only negative is that it is read by only The Red Panda himself. One sometimes misses the voice of The Flying Squirrel.

If not, then get over to Decoder Ring Theater. Listen. To all of it. Then end back here buying this anyway.

Criminally Good

An engaging adventurous romp for the ages!

A favorite of mine that I continually come back to again and again.