REVIEWS FOR READERS

Feilding Star, Volume 6, Issue 1352, 12 March 1928, Page 7

REVIEWS FOR READERS

THE LATEST BOOKS. A BUNDLE II'BOMl I 'BOM CASSELS ••Tim Vanguard," I>y Arnold Bennett. —-This gi&at novel tells Low Lord Furber, the famous multi millionaire, shipped trouble for himself aboard his yacht, the 1 anguard, in the Mediterranean. lie succeeded in abducting a rival financier, Septimus Sutherland, but at tne same time carried off, (ptite unlnieidionally, a fascinating lady, Miss Harriet Perkins, who very soon toon command of everyone on the yacht, including the owner millionaire. The duel between the two princes of finance, each trying to get the better of the other in a purely business: matter, while at the same time trying to appear to the best advantage in the eyes of Harriot, is full of in-

cident and interest. The mystery of why the duel was begun remains a mystery till solved by a clever woman, and the solution comes as a complete surprise. In the end It appears that another unlisted passenger. Cupid, had sailed on the yacht as a stowaway in order to provide another unexpected situation. This novel Is Mr Arnold Ben net l at bis best,‘and will be welcomed by * v e thousands of readers who look forward to the appearance of one of his books as the most, noticeable event of the publishing season. “The Astounding Crime on Tor rington Road,” by William Gillette. — 'Phis is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable stories that has appeared for a very long time, and so cleverly does Mr Gillette tell it that 'up to the very end not the most experienced of tlm large mystery-loving public could posxiblty find a clue towards solving the problem of who killed Charles Haworth. The scene of the story is laid in America, where Haworth, a brilliant young inventor, oblivious of all the world but his own workshop and drawing-board, suddenly finds his whole outlook on life changed by love—a deep and violent passion that brooks no rival. Crushed by poverty and the urgent need

of finding money to help what means so much .to him. Charles Haworth strikes on a wonderful secret invention that Is to solve all his problems. How lie fell into the hands of Pentecost. one of the world’s master oroclks: the extraordinary cunning of that villain’s elaborate and flawless schemes to win success: IJa-

worth’s mysterious murder under the most brutal yet inexplicable circumstances: the amazing- conspiracy whereby the whole American police system is baffled, and the mass of elaborate evidence scattered to the winds: and the strange part played in this drama by Haworth’s secret invention —all this makes “The Astounding Crime on Torrington Hoad” the mystery story of the season, and a hook which will hold its own for many years to come. "Iron and Smoke,” by Sheila KayoSmith. —The tragic sweetness of Jenny Bastow’s days when she exchanged her Yorkshire life as an ironmaster’s daughter for the tranquil vales of Sussex as the wife of Sir Humphrey Mallard, is the warp of Mils insighted and very human sforv. Th® weft is the virile love story of Wing Ilalnaker und Timothy Bastow, Jennv’s brother. And in the weaving other figures appear, the principal being Isabel ilanaker. Aubrey ■Mallard. Jenny's son. An inborn love for ancestral lands is the rock unou whit h love was shattered; yet the love which grew out of the ruin is so sweetly divine in its compassionate understanding that the world ot' readers will he made kin in sympathy to its touch. Then. too. at swifter pace—(he confident stride of untrammelled youth of this generation—moves the love story of the young people, an affinity of contrasts in temperament yet each knowing full well what, llioy want. A story that is a mosaic of real life, and written with vigour, charm and cameo precision of characterisation. “The Clean Hand,” by Millie Bird Vandeburg (author of "The Door to the Moor.”) —A mysterious murder und (be suspicious digitt of a guest who has been involved in a quarrel

between the victim and his wife, form (lie foundation of this cleverly thrilling story. The suspect himself Is captured and held to ransom by .Mexican bandits, and it is a letter from him lo a friend—who through a motor accident Is laid up in the house where the murder was committed—that leads to liis discovery, and recovery. This adventure of rescuing him from the bandits is in itself sufficient to make the book noteworthy, for.it is recounted with such vigour that it. holds one in breathless interest. It is the murder mystery, however, that is the story; the curious

methort of the act, the self-sacrifice of the victim's wife in confessing to tlm crime —tne totally unexpected denouement which clears up the mystery. It is a story told with skill and with a literary power that places if far above the ordinary ••mystery” novel. There is humour, originality, a tender sentiment, and a really • good element of mystery that Is cleverly sustained unlit the. psychological moment for Its explanation. A story indeed to read, and remember.

‘■’Ware Wolf!" by Lascelles Forester. —This is u very remarkable story of black magic in the most modern of settings. To the accompaniment of evil charms and incantations a few villagers In the south of France revive that most sinister of ancient sorceries, the eul t of the 'ware wolves, Tinman wolves who prey on men—and women. Mary Graham, endowed wit it that rare Highland

beauty that drives men to heroism or despair, arouses the evil longing of the chief priest of the foul cult of ’Were Wolves, a mail whose activities have already found scope in provoking trouble in all parts of the world, but whose overmastering ambition is to conquer and destroy civilisation by the power of evil. Possessed of a strange occult power, the very existence of which is unknown to any but a few men of science, he sets about his fell task, though never, in the midst of his designs, forgetting his passionate resolve to possess Mar.v for himself. The story of how these designs are frustrated, how a good man’s love is more than conqueror of the evil arrayed against it, of how near society Was to a catastrophe which might well pale the war's worst, horrors, is (old brilliantr> ly by Mr Forester In this most fascinating of books. There is grim sense of reality in every, page, and ibis is one of (hose rare stories .vliich make the reader wish it were twice as long.

'On the Sixth Day,” by (Juisepp**

Blanco. —A hasty marriage prompted by passion, an unwanted child, disillusionment, separation. It all earn'-* near to wreckage for Miehae Boomerne, artist and individualist. Tim child. Oillian, and Dartmoor, restored him to sanity and tile high road to successful endeavour. In the training of Oillian, in the perfect understanding which developed boDw< n liic man and the child, all the demands of love on each found full satisfaction. until Juana came, with lire

disturbing rousing of passion anew

for the man. There is almost a tragedy. but the child wins, and th® woman goes away. The agony of self-sacrifice leaves, its scare, but father and daughter go logetlier, band in hand, until in due course love and desire come to tile girl.. Of what use the self-sacrifice, of vvliai use the repressed emotions, of what use the discipline of desires, the victim of the sacrifice tor duty.-' But in training Oillian tiie man had taught himself something, und love secured

full understanding and further renunciation of self. This is a story that cannot fail to appeal, with its dose insight into human nature, its clever exposition)of character, whether of man. woman 01* child. Tvery reader will find somethin!! in his or her own experience which responds to the thoughts and emotions in these pages.