The Kandy Tooth

Originally Aired: January 10, 1948

Suspense #279, "The Kandy Tooth," brings back Sam Spade in a new adventure that rivals the infamous Maltese Falcon case. Private detective Sam Spade finds himself entangled in an international mystery when the notorious fat man, Caspar Gutman, reappears with another elaborate scheme. This time, Gutman seeks a priceless Buddhist relic—a tooth of Buddha—which he believes is hidden in the bridgework of a man named Herman Julius. Spade is hired to track down Julius, but the case quickly grows complicated when a woman named Miss Laverne arrives searching for her troubled brother Larry, whose strange behavior seems connected to the mysterious tooth. As Spade investigates, he encounters Joel, young Marvin, and a web of deceit involving sacred relics, Portuguese viceroys, and desperate treasure hunters.

The investigation leads Spade through San Francisco's foggy streets as he uncovers a conspiracy involving switched identities, hidden fortunes, and fanatics willing to kill for possession of the legendary candy tooth. With bodies piling up and Gutman's charming yet sinister presence looming over everything, Spade must navigate between truth and deception to solve the case before more blood is shed.