The Murderer Invisible
Inspired by H. G. Wells's 1897 science-fiction novella Invisible Man, Wylie's 1931 book features a recluse named William Carpenter, who possesses the greatest scientific mind in the world. After developing a chemical compound that makes him invisible, Carpenter sets out to destroy his enemies and turn the nation into an "autocracy of science" and a beacon utopia.
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Summary
The destitute nephew of an irascible scientist and failed market mover shows up unexpected. While he reluctantly takes her in, she is shocked to learn his plans to not only become invisible, but change the world. The arrival of a confident young lab partner changes her own plans.
Review
The Murder Invisible owes a considerable debt to H.G. Wells' The Invisible Man; they both deal with similar themes – a scientist who makes himself invisible and incites terror. Taken on its own, though, Wylie's version is a fair, if dated, story. The men are hyper-competent, and the ‘girl' dependent. To be fair to the 1931 Wylie, however, she also has a certain amount of agency and drive when on her own.
The plot moves along reasonably well, with some romantic set pieces, and the scientific handwaving is not too bad for the time. The villain's motivations are on the thin side – the important thing about him is that he's a terrorist – and both he and the good guy are from the Golden Age of super-scientists who can deal with most anything they turn their minds to. All in all, a decent if derivative story.
