BOOK NOTES

Hutt News, Volume 1, Issue 4, 14 June 1928, Page 3

BOOK NOTES

(By Observer.)

"Boxanne" by H. do Ve_re Stacpole, enhances this author's reputation as a storyteller. Dick Marston L* a rolling stone. Whilst staying at Singapore he receives a newspaper cutting from a friend which informs him that if ho will communicato with a Jinn of lawyers in London he will hear of something to his advantage. Sailing for home he meets Leonora Spicer, who sizes him up immediately, and makes^liim feel some-

what smaller in stature than he thought himself to be. "She had marked him down in price and done it in the most indifferent and casual way in the world." Ho.wever, she was destined to play a vrey important part in Marston 'a life. Marston, inherits his uncle's wealth, although he very nearly missed doing so, as his uncle had first of all made a will leaving his money to a cousin in order to prevent Marston's father from inheriting everything. This will had been destroyed, ancl another had been prepared and was ready to have the uncle's signature attached leaving the money to the cousin again. However, before this could be completed, the uncle died suddenly and Dick Marston was a wealthy man. Marston was somewhat disturbed in mind when he was informed that a daughter of the cousin, to whom his uncle intended leaving his money was alive, and in a sense he had got the money which should have gone to her. It is at this point that Roxanne Le Fane enters the story. She is staying with a friend in Switzerland, and Dick Marston sets out to find her. With the lovely clear air of the Alps as a sotting, Romance unfolds itself for both Dick-and Roxanne. They are married in the little church of Zort. Dick is extremely happy, and immediately before 'the wedding he writes to Leonora Spieer: "You remember the girl I told you about, the girl with whom I felt it my. duty'tol .share the property? I am marrying her tomorrow morning." Had Marston never written this note, his life would most likely have moved, along quietly, and he ary English squire at his seat of Pamnry Snglish cquire at his seat of Pampersford in Buckinghamshire. However, events move quickly. Leonora Spicer, Julia Reynei', and Theodore Vassel reappear in the story. Marston ' disappears. The river is dragged to find his body. Later a body is taken I from the river and identified as that jof Marston. Marston returns, to read the inscription on his own tombstone, ' and is confronted with a problem that seems to be impossible of solution. However, the supreme craftsmanship of the author brings the solution and a most interesting and happily-told story to a j v satisfactory conclusion. " Roxanne ** by H. de Vere Stacpole (Cassell's and ! Co., Ltd.)

E. jVf. Hall, who leapt into fame with "The Sheik" has another book on the way which Dymock 's Book Ajeade, Sydney (who, by the way hold the Australasian market rights for many firstclass novels to be published in. the near future) will release for sale during July. Her new book is called "The Lion Tamer" and her many admirers will look forward eagerly for its publication. . *> Dymock's also announce a new book by Pamela Wynne whose "Ann's An Idiot" proved io be very popular with the reading public. "Mademoiselle Dahlea" is. sure of a hearty welcome from a wide circle of readers.

A. G-. Hales promises us a now MeGlusky book "McGlusky o' The Legion '' which John Long will publish soon. Hales always said Mefilusky would touch his highest water mark when he appeared in the uniform of the historic corps of the Foreign Legion. The phenomenal sales of Lion Trenehtwanger's Jew feuss, both in Great Britain and the Continent, have caused a widespread demand for the book in Australia and New Zealand. In spite of the book's high price (10/-) in New Zealand, largejsupplies have been disposed of by the* book shops. The demand is likely to continue for some time to come, and new supplies should be here cry "shortly.

E. J. Hath has a style of humour all his own.. His '' Nervous "Wreck "■ *' The Brat," "When the Devil was Sick," and the many other books from'his nimble pen have brought pleasure to many a jaded mind. In his now book, to appear shortly tinder the title of 1' Something for Nothing,'» we aTe promised something specially good. There is just a danger that in a community which boasts of such a strong leaven of' Harry Lauder's countrymen', the sup-

plies of a book with, such an alluring title may soon be exhausted. Admirers of Sapper's books have been waiting quite a long while for the appearance of his "Female of The Species" wherein we are told Bull-dog Drummond reappears and finds that the '' female of the species' ' is far more deadly than the male. Carl Petersen was dead, and the account between him and Bull-dog Drummond appeared settled, but an important factor was miss-: ing- from the balance-sheet —Ircna, Petersen 's loely relict! Irma's desire for vengeance bordered on. madness and her j wits were sharp, but no crude methods would satisfy her. A treasure hunt, j rible and deadly peril. But Bull-dog. Drummond as the treasurer —that was her campaign. The clues were there for j the Hiding, sometimes simple,. some- j times only, to be Teaehed through, ter- j rible and deadly perit. But Bull-dog j and his merry men went on their way j undaunted, although horror clutched their hearts when they thought of j Phyllis. But Bull-dog and the lovely j Irma met, and Sapper provides a story j for his admirers fall of thrills and one ! that will not disappoint them.