"I Want a Novel: I’m in a Hurry . . . "

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22593, 24 December 1938, Page 20

"I Want a Novel: I’m in a Hurry . . . "

Thrillers CAUSE FOR ALARM. By Eric Ambler Hodder and Stoughton. 320 pp. From W. S. Smart. An English engineer, taking over a munition firm’s office in Milan, finds himself rapidly and deeply involved in the dangerous underground politics of the Rome-Berlin axis. Good to the very end. MAIDEN VOYAGE. By R. L. Dearden. Herbert Jenkins. 284 pp. Through Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd. The fury of the sea and the treachery of a jealous first mate nearly bring the honeymoon voyage of Captain Coniston and his bride to a tragic close. THE SINGING SPIDER. By Angus Mac Vicar. Stanley Paul and Co. Ltd. 256 pp. Through Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd. On the trail of a dangerous spy organisation, Archie Campbell himself becomes the quarry of the police. Only with the help of his brave and charming Frances does he escape them in time to report his discoveries and thwart the enemies of his country. Mr Mac Vicar tells a good story and gives it a pleasant Scottish setting. THE HUT. By Laurence W. Meynell. Nicholson and Watson Ltd. 318 pp. A kidnapping gang at work in England, cruel and clever: opposed bv the Yard, by the freelance Baikie, and by Geoffrey Denton, medical student, in love with Lynn Luker, one of the victims. The gang splits, murder is done, and the last phase of .Mr Meynell’s exciting story is the chase of the killer. THE FOOTSTOOL OF THE MOON. By J. Alan Rennie. Hurst and Blackett Ltd. 254 pp. Mr Rennie initiates in this story a series which is to narrate the adventures of the friends who are called “The Modern Musketeers.” Here Hellfire Howard, Shorty Allen, Steamboat Howe, and the others pursue an amazing quest in mysterious Africa; and only highbrows will scorn the pleasure of following them.

INFAMOUS GENTLEMAN. By George Goodchild. Robert Hale Ltd. 288 pp. Through Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd. Mr Goodchild’s name is enough to recommend his stories. This one, staged upon a tropical island, makes strange partners in danger and mystery of a rich young woman and the disgraced young doctor who is carrying out a research there. Romance HERE COMES THE BRIDE. By F. E. Baily. Collins. 251 pp. Doris Fane, George’s seereUrv, and in love with him, has a lot to put up with before Mr Baily puts everything right; but what is a romantic green for but putting? SUSAN TAKES A HAND. By Anne Hepple. Hutchinson. 272 pp. Through Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd. Miss Hepple tangles a little the love-stories of Susan and Aggie, who run a delightful boardinghouse. Susan’s first young man turns from her to Aggie; but there is no breaking of hearts in this cheerful, pleasant novel. PLAIN PEOPLE. By Kathleen Norris. John Murray. 348 pp. Thirteen short stories by one of the deftest of romantic entertainers and probably the most popular. LOVE GROWS EVERYWHERE. By Christine Jope-Slade. Nicholson and Watson. 318 pp. Left penniless, Alison Marmott goes to work in a department store and rouses the jealousy of the lovely Coraline, who (cat!) applies all her talons to the task of separating Jim Carr from Alison and winning him for herself. But it doesn’t work out that way. SINCE WE LOVE. By Denise Robins. Nicholson and Watson. 316 pp. Through Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd. “The fog is lifting from us, forever,” says Simon Roxley at last, to Joan Parwood; and thank goodness! For the two unfortunates have been jn love for many pages, but hopelessly divided by Simon’s loyalty, unbreakably sealed, to another woman. Miss Robins will hold her readers in a fascinating suspense.

Wild West CALAMITY JANE OF DEAD WOOD GULCH. By Ethel Hueston. Hodder and Stoughton. 286 pp. From W. S. Smart. “Calamity Jane” is no invention: this brave, reckless, hard-living, generous woman actually lived, and the wild days, wild scenes and deeds, and wild company of the pioneering West were hers. Mrs Hueston’s novel-biography should be grabbed with both hands. COWBOY CABALLERO. By Robert Ames Bennett. Cottvns. 252 pp. Lon Royce, from Texas, adventures into Mexico and, in partnership with a young Mexican bandit, joins the forces of the patriot Juarez against the interloper Emperor Maximilian. The story has truth as well as abundant thrills. SONS OF THE ALAMO. By Christopher Culley. Quality Press. 267 pp. Through Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd. Mr Gulley’s story belongs to Old Texas, little later than the first days of the Lone Star Republic, splashed with the blood of Mexican and Indian battle. His cattlemen and rangers, thieves and killers, are a grand pack of tough men, true or crooked. THE TEXAS BANK MURDERS. By Christopher Culley. Eldon Press Ltd. 280 pp. (3/6 net.) Through Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd. Mr Culley is the author, also, of this vigorous story which throws together the interests of stirring Western action and of crime detection and combines them well. Though issued at reprint price, it. is a new book. Humour DOVES . IN FLIGHT. By Diana L. Young. Nicholson and Watson. 312 pp. A comedy of militarism and pacifism, in which the Minister for War and the Minister for Peace of the island of Fortunas, as chief clowns, rock their country into danger and out of it again. The absurdities of this amusing story have acute edges.,

AGE OF CONSENT. By Norman Lindsay. T. Werner Laurie Ltd. 241 pp. On a lonely Australian beach: an artist, a girl in and out of a ragged one-piece frock, a gin-soaked harridan, an appalling spinster, a nice dog, and the little townie, Podson. Drawings and ideas, characteristic Lindsay. ,