The War of the Worlds Murder — Max Allan Collins

New York City, October 1938. The shadow of war in Europe falls ominously across the face of America. Yet, it is another Shadow the mystery man of the radio airwaves voiced by Orson Welles -- who captures the imagination of listeners across the nation, offering hope in these troubled times in the form of vengeful justice. Pulp scribe Walter Gibson, The Shadow's creator, has arrived in New York to assist Welles on a film project.

Welles is currently immersed in this week's Mercury Theater on the Air broadcast of The War of the Worlds. Scripted as a series of mock news bulletins reporting a Martian invasion, the radio play was supposed to be a harmless Halloween trick. But Welles never imagined his stunt would create a panic among listeners who tuned in late and believed the attack was real. And he never imagined being suspected of murder.

Did Welles murder his mistress on the night of the broadcast? Only the creator of The Shadow knows...