Zane Carrington

 

Name: Zane Holden Carrington

Date of Birth: May 4, 1905

Zane Holden Carrington was born into a privileged life in New York City as the son of Walter Carrington, a renowned lawyer celebrated for his success in high-profile cases. Growing up, Zane idolized his father and aspired to follow in his footsteps, pursuing a career in law. A true All-American boy, Zane was a star athlete, excelling as a football player in high school, where he was voted "Most Likely to Succeed."

In his freshman year of college, Zane met Diana Burtok, a bright and captivating young woman who quickly stole his heart. Their love blossomed, but their happiness was overshadowed by the relentless pursuit of Jessep Winthrop. Jessep, a peer of Zane’s, shared his social circle, attended the same college, and played on the same sports teams. Despite these commonalities, the two were rivals in every sense—competing in athletics, social standing, and even matters of the heart. Diana rejected Jessep’s advances, but his obsession with her only intensified, ignoring Zane’s warnings to leave her alone.

Tragedy struck on the night of October 18, 1928, when Jessep, consumed by rage, murdered Diana and left her lifeless body on the steps of her parents’ home in West Village. Devastated and enraged, Zane tracked Jessep to his family's cabin in the Catskills, where he confronted him. Overcome with grief and fury, Zane shot Jessep dead.

Arrested at the scene, with the weapon still in his hand and Jessep’s body at his feet, Zane faced a grim future. Even his father, Walter, feared he could not save his son from the death penalty. At the desperate pleas of Zane’s mother, Wanda, Walter made a bold and dangerous decision: he smuggled Zane out of the country to the Orient, sparing him from the electric chair.

A wanted man with a bounty placed on his head by the powerful Winthrop family, Zane took refuge at sea. He found work aboard the tramp steamer Algiers, a humble start that allowed him to keep moving and avoid detection. Life at sea proved both a refuge and a challenge, as Zane constantly evaded bounty hunters lured by the substantial reward for his capture—even Zane himself once joked about turning himself in for the money.

By 1933, Zane had risen to become the owner and captain of the Algiers. He reinvented himself as an adventurer for hire, navigating treacherous waters while maintaining a low profile. Despite his best efforts to remain inconspicuous, Zane often found himself swept up in the thrilling and dangerous exploits of Captain Steven Hawklin. These adventures, while exhilarating, frequently led Zane into even greater trouble.

Zane Holden Carrington’s first chronological appearance was in Captain Hawklin and the Secrets of Monster Island, where he quickly became a fan favorite. His charisma and resourcefulness earned him recurring roles in Captain Hawklin and the Underwater Menace and Captain Hawklin and the Ghost Army. Zane’s solo adventures began in the story Testament of a Forgotten God, featured in PULP REALITY #1.  Currently Zane Carrington adventures are appearing in the anthology series Stormgate Press Quick Read Books,  See links below a short story series featuring other creations by Charles F. Millhouse, plus a

serialized novella "Crimson Leviathan" is appearing exclusively on Patreon, a chapter once a month for paid subscribers.

Stormgate Press Quick Reads Book 3: Zane Carrington 

In the bustling port of Shanghai in 1935, Zane Carrington, the rugged and resourceful captain of the tramp steamer Algiers, finds himself in a dangerous game. When his friend Harry Tucker is kidnapped from his own bar, Zane sets course across the South China Sea, only to be ensnared in a relentless woman’s plot for revenge. Will Zane be able to save Harry and unravel the mystery behind his abduction before it's too late?

Stormgate Press Quick Reads Book 5 Zane Carrington: The Contract 

Everyone knows how Captain Steven Hawklin braved the depths of the Amazon, guided by an ancient map to uncover a lost Mayan city. But the real mystery remains—how did Zane Carrington, the daring tramp steamer captain, come into possession of that legendary map? Now, for the first time, the truth is revealed. Follow Zane on a treacherous quest that spans the globe, from the shadowy streets of Shanghai to the sun-scorched ruins of Chichen Itza. Facing deadly enemies, unforgiving landscapes, and mysterious forces bent on stopping him at every turn. Get ready for non-stop action, intrigue, and peril as Zane Carrington embarks on one of his most thrilling adventures yet

Stromgate Press Quick Reads Book 7: Zane Carrington: Eternity's Time Clock 

It’s Christmas 1934, and Zane Carrington is doing everything he can to avoid the holiday cheer. When he is caught up in the discovery of a supernatural relic, the tramp steamer captain is forced to travel around the world only to discover the ancient artifact is more than just a curiosity, it’s a gateway to a dark dimension where Talgamon, the devourer of souls and harbinger of uncreation, lies waiting to unleash his demonic wrath. As Zane races to close the doorway before it’s too late, he faces a chilling question: can he save the world and Christmas? For Zane, just saving one might be enough, but failure means Talgamon will feast on more than just holiday spirit.