Out Like a Light

"Out Like a Light" by Randall Garrett and Laurence M. Janifer is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The book follows FBI agent Kenneth Malone, who is caught up in a peculiar case involving mysterious red Cadillacs and some bizarre occurrences around them, including his own inexplicable experiences after being knocked unconscious. The narrative sets a tone of intrigue and humor as Malone navigates his way through strange circumstances while trying to solve what appears to be a seemingly absurd string of events. At the start of the novel, the protagonist, Kenneth Malone, finds himself sprawled on a New York sidewalk with a headache, disoriented and unable to recall what happened to him. As he interacts with two police officers who initially mistake him for a troublemaker due to his belongings and the blood on his head, the backstory unfolds, revealing that he was investigating stolen red Cadillacs. As he struggles to piece together the events leading to his attack, he discovers connections involving a group of teenagers known as the Silent Spooks. Malone's quest to untangle the mystery deepens, hinting at a blend of crime and supernatural elements surrounding the missing vehicles, setting the stage for a humorous yet engaging investigative adventure.