WHEN MYSTERY SPALKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1937, Page 2 (Supplement)

WHEN MYSTERY SPALKS.

It would be better for tnc reader if tie average writer of "Whodunit ?" "once wrote his last chapter Jirst, before he got tired. Many of the writers of mystery stories seem to start out with a hazy idea of how they are "oin" Jo clew up the clues, with" U, o result hat when they come to the la*t chapter they arc written out, and a lame and impotent conclusion leaves an ■unsatisfied reader. That is the case with "J here Has Been a Murder" bv Henry Holt (Collins). There is plent'v of incident in a bright and lively storv, but it peters out to a -weak" ending unworthy of its earlier interest. There is some good character work in the main theme, which deals with a band of crooks known as the Ten Keys, one of whom is the Master Key. "They had successfully tempted some people to sell military and ' naval secrets, and had quietly murdered them thereafter Richard Seagrave, playwright and amateur defective, gefs on their track, and so docs pretty Therese. a British They have time to fall in love as they turn the key on the last of the Keys. '

Another story with tho spy element strongly entrenched is "Forbidden Frontiers," by Stephen Maddock (Collins). The forbidden ground is, of course, along either Ride of tlic Rhine, in and behind (he Maginot line at first, later across the fierman frontier at Marienberg, where was situated one of the worst concentration camps in Oerniany, and beside it a secret factory for a new and very terrifying fire raiser. Terrel. a secret* service who lias figured in some of Mr. MaTldock's earlier works, is a young man of remarkable courage and sang froid. He pets into all sorts of tight corners, but, don't worry, he has been in a pickle before, and he will get out of it again. He does it. petting quite clear when the reader begins to feel alarmed, but he drops back into the soup again, ami only when hope has almost been given up'does he make bis final escape, with (he aid of the charming Fran Kellner. his assistant and abettor in bis many in wartime; it makes a good background for excitement in time of peace and preparation.