REVIEWS FOR READERS

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 4315, 11 June 1921, Page 4

REVIEWS FOR READERS

BY T.L.M.

"THE I'ALISRR CASE." Quite the smartest written novel that lias come this reviewer's way in many a day is "The I'aliscr Case," by that clever American smart set manipulator of words, Edgar Saltus, a veteran of the pen, with half a dozen hooks to his credit. It is a mystery story of an unconventional and ill Ira-modern kind. The plot absorbs the reader, the characters in- ' trigue, but the grips and phrases are a constant, surprise, and delight. Saltus salts his stories strongly, but ho has an uncommon wit. and certainly does not write the obvious. "Tlio Paliser Case," which deals, with high life and low morality in New York, . is published by Uoni and Livoright, New York (Whitcombc and Tombs, Wellington). SIGN OK THE HOSE SERIES. Two more successes with original novels have been scored by that newest of England's publishing houses, Hooks Ltd., of Liverpool and London, which sends us copies for reviews. "The Faithful Fool" is veteran and popular G. B. Margin's 61st' novel. He has always a good story to toll, I and .tells it well. This time it is i about a jilted lover who is faithful j after Her death, and carries out a i strange commission for her. There is i written into the main narrative the ! beautiful story of a would-be monk | and the woman who tinned from her evil ways to servo her saint. "M'Lord o' the White Road" is an altogether different tale, for it is high romance of the good (or bad) old days, by a new novelist, Cedric I). Eraser, who has herein earned the compliment of "another Jeffrey Far 1 -! nol," because of his great gift of happy characterisation. The hero is on a (ramp through Kent, when, by a I strange twist of fate and a stranger i likeness, he is forced into impersoil- ! ating a thorough-pared rascal and j aristocrat. A high-born lady also mixes things more and more. Then , the adventures get entangled into misadventures—and the result is an absorbingly fine yarn. Some more. Mr Eraser—please! ANOTHER GIRL'S DIAHY.

"The Diary of Opal Whiteley" is something unique in the way of reading matter. It is the work of a child of very tender years, the MS. ! being odd scraps of wrapping paper covered with laboriously printed de- { tails of her observations of life. Any- 1 1 one not able, through lack of inclination, opportunity, or sympathy, to j follow the workings of a child's mind, will find no interest or pleasure in reading Opal's Diary ; .will, , indeed, throw if aside before the'first 1 chapter is read. Others will marvel , at Opal's record of life as she lived j it in that lumber camp. Her com-j pan ions were a queer assortment of, animals to which she gave the . names of historic and literary char-' actors, of whom she learned when her parents, whom she lost when ' jlio was about five years of age, gave her the rudiments of an education which influenced her whole life. ! The precocious diarist is now a teacher of natural science, and has published already two nature books. ' THE LATEST MAGAZINE. i A selection of London's magazines , loi May comes through Cordon and ! Goteh (A. 11. Maclean). The Grand has most interesting fiction, including .stories by Elinor Glyn, Huby Ay res, the Egerton Castles, and Edgar Wallace. The Wide World has four big features in "Running the Gauntlet," a record of Yendottas. "The Secret of the Well," and "The Tragedies of Niagara," and there are other true-to-life nana- ! fives, all plenteously illustrated.; The London carries these special lea- ' tore articles: "The Spirit Tele-, phone" (a startling new discovery). ,' "Asia's Ireland" (the story of In- ; dia's unrest), and Andrew Kirkaldy'a! Best Golf Stories (of the famous St. Andrew's links); plus excellent tic- 1 turn. The latest Red contains the conclusion of the serial, "Mashona Child," which is an excellent love story. Then there are the latest Harms, worth firm's enterprises for May; Fashions for All (with dress and blouse patterns) and the colonial edi- ' tion of Leach's Family Dressmaker,' carrying the newest fashions, with smart patterns. I

Cartoons Magazine for May is chockful of good stuff, diversified and diverting, wise and otherwise, and much play upon words as well upon happenings and human nature per media of the pencils of caricaturists. The development of its own talent goes on successfully, and the illustrated articles show cleverness. Windsor Magazine for .May has a big illustrated article on Easter Custom* (.lie world over, and another on Lighting Effects iii Photoplay Produetioiii Dornford Yates has a delightful novelette, and the other fiction is entertaining. Popular Mechanics Magazine for May is a whole month of lessons in itself—on almost everything under the sun concerning which men and women all the world are making enquiries ami upon which inventors and improvers arc at work. The marvel is where the Windsor stall' gather -o much. ,