FICTIONAL CRIME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 17, 20 January 1934, Page 2 (Supplement)

FICTIONAL CRIME.

A NEW WRITER. Mr. Roger East's first detective story, "Murder Rehearsal," was so original that ho was looked upon by crime "fans" as a writer of exceptional promise. "Candidate for Lilies" fulfils this promise in that tho story has both originality in theme and distinction in treatment. Family differences are treated with insight and there is an unusual psychological atmosphere. The untidy ending is in keeping with the sustained artistic quality. Another new writer in this field is Colin Ward, announced as a master at a famous English public school. This, his first book, "House Party Murder," begins with a tragedy on a liner bound homewards from China, and carries on with a murder in an English country house. The story is ingeniously contrived and well told, with a surprise at the end that comes with a bang. The description of shipboard life will appeal to many who have travelled. The fault of the book is that it tries to combine the Wodehouse manner with crime investigation, and occasionally the combination jars. Mr. Ward may go far in this line if ho curbs his exuberance.

Mr. J. Jefferson Farjeon hit on an original idea when he sent two old men of settled ways from their - London club on an adventure in the country, and the account of what happened to them is exciting, but tho patent madness of tho murderer detracts from tho story's interest.

These volumes are published in Collins' "Crime Club Series."