Phantom of the Seven Stars

"Phantom of the Seven Stars" by Ray Cummings is a science fiction tale that transports readers aboard the "Seven Stars," a luxurious spacecraft en route to Mars with a clandestine cargo of electronic armaments. A ghostly marauder imperils both ship and travelers in this universe of mystery and exploration. Jim Fanning, a covert operative for the Interplanetary Patrol, holds the responsibility to safeguard the "Seven Stars". Suspicion mounts among those on board, including Brenda Carson, whose father is suspected to be the notorious pirate, and her sibling, Philip. Following Brenda's supposed death, Jim faces the mythical pirate in a climactic chase, striving to rescue her as well as the ship from impending doom. Cummings creates an exciting universe teeming with hidden depths, painting a vibrant vision of life in the cosmos driven by themes of justice and the entangled relationships between people.