LATEST NOVELS

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 20, 23 July 1927, Page 21

LATEST NOVELS

SELECTIONS FfiOM THE LISTS

"Marigold Cottage," by A. A. Thomson (London: Herbert Jenkins, Ltd.) is a welcome addition to latest books of I'.umour. The fictitious vil lage of Steeple Thatchby, Essex, is the locale, and its inhabitants and tbeir ways, especially of its vicar, afford Mr. Thomson plenty of material for humorous but not too subtle treatment. Baby shows, cricket, tennis, and gardening are some of the themes, all funnily treated. "Marigold Cottage" is refreshing comedy all through.

"The Mind of a Minx," by Berta Ruck (London: Hodder and Stoughton) shows Berta Ruck very successful in portrayal of a vivacious girl employed in the West End. Millicent (or Minx, as her twin brother fondly calls her), considers herself heart-free, yet is tossed between three men—her "Castoff," her "Side-Issue," and her "Permaneac\" F ''lowing' her qu- of pleasure she is led into night clubs and music halls, then to the south coast to display exotic bathing gowns. The story reaches its climax with a thrilling international motor race at Boulogne, during which Minx finds she really loves the most unexpected of her three suitors. The local colour throughout the book is skilfully handled and the reader's interest is maintained to the end.

"The Triumph of the Rat," by Den ise Robins (London: Philip Allan) is purely about a film hero appearing in print. Devotees of the cinema will b« familiar with "The Rat," the Paris apache who was officially known as Pierre Boucheron. Having learned his life story through the medium of the film they can follow himfrom the sowers of Paris to a high' post (Undersecretary, in fact) in tlie French Foreign Office. Here "The Rat" does good work for the State, but; he .is pursued by jealous men and women on account of his fatal beauty and his irresistable 'come-hither" charm with wonien. He goes through many exciting incidents in this novel, including being knocked down by a Paris taxicab— which is the most common kind of accident in his whole world:" After many tribulations "The Rat" goes off to the war to seek redemption. The novel is as thrilling as a film, ana just the sort of book that lovers of film dramas will revel in. ■

''Northward Bound,?' hy. Rosina Fihppi (London: Cassell' and Co, through Whitcombe ana Tombs), will appeal to any woman married to a domineering husband and with a family of ingrates tying her hands at ail turns. They will envy- the courage that sent Maisie Dainton, in the first flays of her widowhood,, to . walk to Scotland from Wimbledon. ■ She leaves her ultra-modern family agape at her defection. On the highways she meets the romance of her life. Unconventional as this heroine may he, readers will sympathise with the revolt that comes with newfound freedom. Her family has never wanted her, so she considers she is free. Scotland calls her, this land of her birth and the scene of much early happiness. On the way lan Fergusson joins her. He is s big strapping Scotsman who has lived and loved in many climes. '. What' better setting then for Romance than nights in- the open, days on 'the highway, beauty at every turn, and' twin souls to appreciate all? "Northward Bound" offers .some delightful reading for those who will think kindly of Maisie in her rebellion against what Life has hitherto offered.her,.

"The "Romance of Nikko Cheyne," by Roland Pertwee (London ' Casscll and Co.), is the story of the scion of adventurous, hard-drinking, and living English aristocracy, whose father is killed while seeking rhododendrons in tho Himalayas. Nikko made acquaintance with his only surviving relative, Baron Cheyne of Qncrne, ami in a fit of utter disgust at his unpleasant coarseness and drinking habits, took himself off to Paris with his small patrimony of £200. There he studies art, and falls in love with a beautiful young girl who comos to one of the galleries with a party, irom an aristocratic school. She is Princess Natalie Mclliora Maria Elizabpta of Sciriel, but becomes "Bettany' 1"to Nikko, and she is content that it should be so. Clandestine meetings of tho pair horrify tho school principal, who invokes tho aid of Baron Vilasto of Sciriel, who takes the princess back to her nativo country. Then Nikko joins tho Fronch Foreign Legion, and has many adventures, all of which are well told. Ho deserts whon In. hears that there has been a revolution in Seiriel, and that his love is in imminent danger. Aftot Nikko's arrival in. ho has more wonderful adventures. However, in tho end Sciriol and' tho lady are saved, and justice is done.

"Fool's Weaving," by Marguerite Hills (London, Geoffrey Blcs), raises a debatable point as to whether Beryl Eden would have been so keen-on rehabilitating herself in the affections pf her forgiving husband had she not known that she had :i rival for his nffectiona. After au escapade to Paris Beryl roturned to the home of her husband, where his money, freedom, and the security of his name wero at her disposal. His love, she thought, she' had killod. But had she? The reader will find out. This is a well-written novol of its class.

"Little -\ardner" by Elennor Porter (London, Hodder and Stough'ton), is tho first of many charming stories which tho book contains. It deals with life in the Far West of America, where two partners are striving to wrest from tho earth its golden treasure—one for. the sake of a girl, tho other a worshipper at the shrine of Fortune. Tho first partner dies, and it is left to the other to break the news to his girl, "Little Pardner," as they call her between themselves, and for whom a real fondness has developed in his heart. Rather than write ho goes East to see her and decides to impersonate his dead chum. The complications that follow his deception make good reading, and work out to a satisfactory conclusion. The other stories, which are of a varied nature, are well up to the standard of this favourite writer's works.

"Tho Gilded Sign," by If. Scotland Liddell (Landon Cassells, through Whitcombe' and Tombs), is a very human story of Scottish folk living in a small country town, and dealing out hard judgments on those around them. The Donaldson family, father, mother, and son, live by a grocery business, and the story follows the ups and downs of that business. It also deals with tho coming of showy and "feckless" opposition, and the opening of a small railway, which enables the ambitious housewives to go further afield for their goods. Lan Donaldson, the son, in early teens, plunges into a torrent to rescue a little girl, and in so doing strains his heart; this is not found out tilt there it a call for enlistments in tho late war. The story of the village was that it enlisted to a man, except lan Donaldson, who had been at college for some time, and being called homo by his father, goes first to the regimental doctor to be passed as fit for active service, only to find that it is quite impossible owing to his cardiac weakness. Going home he finds his father and mother financially on the rocks. Sooner than add to their troubles by the news of his own health, he says nothing, but turns to and works to pull the business round. The story tells of tho persecution which follows him, the scorn,, the white feathers; and then apparent separation from the girl he loves. This is an excellent folk story, especially for those who can easily follow the dialect.