NEW NOVELS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 51, Issue 25, 10 November 1930, Page 8

NEW NOVELS

FINELY DRAWN CHARACTERS. An unusual and attractive opening at once rivets attention to Almey St. John Adock’s new novel, “The Street Paved with Water.” Welcome Tudway, daughter of a bargee, is born in the cabin of her father’s monkey boat plying in one of the numerous artificial waterways that intersect England. Brought up to a rough-and-tumble existence, she regards herself as her father’s son, being bitterly jealous when a real son conies along to be regarded by Lot Tudway as his heir and junior partner. Circumstances, however, eventually place Welcome ini command of her father’s business, and the story shows how she overcomes the disadvantages of illiteracy, fights against her love for a man of higher social status, and at last finds herself, in the course of her successful business career, fighting against her own people —the humble canal folk —over the matter of the substitution of motorboats for the horse-drawn barges. The scenes in the canals are so picturesquely depicted and the characters of the bargees so skilfully drawn that one does not mind the rather melodramatic manner in which Welcome’s _ romance is elided —the only weak spot in a capital story. Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd., are the publishers.

A RUBY M. AYRES’ BOOK. Ruby M. Ayers, by her new work, “Lovers,” will not fail to increase the number of her admirers. The story tells of the romance of Sara Lyster, who as a schoolgirl admires John Heather, head boy of a neighbouring school. Later -she is wooed by another man, Philip Yarrow, but on the eve or the marriage runs away, to fall, in with Heather, only to find that he is married. Of course, the two are attracted to each other, and Sara again flies to escape the cataclysm which she sees approaching. To save the situation she marries Philip, who meets with a serious accident on the wedding day. Then John’s wife is killed in a motor accident, and John and Sara part to await the freedom of, the latter, which, according, to the- doctors, cannot be long in realisation. The portrayal of Sara’s character is a feature of the book that is quite up to Ruby M. Ayres’s standard. Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd., are the publishers. “A LEGEND OF THE LEAGUE.” Sydney Holder has achieved a reputation for excitement, but in connection with “ A Legend of the League” lie is announced as “Holder for good sportsmen.” But the true description would' combine the two. “A Legend of the League” tells how a young man whose father, a solicitor, disappears, leaving heavy debts. Jack Blair, determined to clear up his father’s name, takes up professional football with a club that has earned ail unenviable reputation for dirty tactics. In his first match he rebukes an unscrupulous player on the field, and thus earns the hatred of the rough element. How Jack is the meaqs of restoring the prestige of the club, escapes murder, and ultimately brings his father’s enemy to book, and incidentally wins a fortune and a. bride, are told with a vigour apd a skill that is characteristic of Holder. The graphic descriptions of play in league matches will appeal to all footballers, while those who seek excitement and thrilling-situations will not be disappointed. “A Legend of the League” is miblished by Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd.

AN OPPENHEIM MURDER STORY

“The Glenlutten Murder” by E. Phillips Oppenheim is a mystery story of power. A guest at a country house is found murdered in his hostess’ bedroom, while valuable jewels are missing. The burglar is caught and charged with the murder, but vehemently asserts his innocence. A famous criminal lawyer, who has conducted many prosecutions, happened to be a member of the house party and becomes convinced that the accused man is innocent. Lady Glenbutten will not reveal whether a third man was present at the time of the crime. Finally, however, the lawyer solves the mystery and clears Lady Glenbutten s name, while the jewels are recovered through the duplicity of a private detective. Incidentally there is a romantic denouement that is quite unexpected. Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd are the publishers.