COUNTRY HOUSE MYSTERY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21130, 12 March 1932, Page 9 (Supplement)

COUNTRY HOUSE MYSTERY

FRIENDLESS MILLIONAIRE,

That honest friendship is one of the few tilings money cannot buy is strikingly portrayed in " The I'olo Ground Mystery," an entertaining and well-written detectivo story by Mr. Robin Forsythe. Iho book opens with a newspaper account of tlie death of a " millionairo sportsman," Sutton Armadale. The discovery of the body at dawn on the private polo ground of tho deceased man's country residence creates a tremendous sensation. Iheic is fifty-fifty " evidence for murdei and suicide. Mr. l'orsythe's private sleuth, Anthony \ erekof, unravels Uie. my.stny in a most ingenious way, and as the story unfolds it, reveals the rather pathetic life of the millionaire who, while he never lacked company, was really loved by nobody, commanding respect only through his colossal fortune.

In tho story there uro many unexpected twists and even tho most experienced readers of mystery stories will be kept guessing until the end. Mr. Forsythe never makes the mistake of overcrowding tho stage. His characters arc all interesting personalities, very well drawn, and there are not too many of them. A touch of refreshing humour is furnishedby tho friendly rivalry that exists between V ereker and tho Scotland Yard man, Inspector Heather, who is also working on the case. Hie amateur docs not have all the triumphs. One of the most convincing features of the story is the credit given to the servant of tho Stato who is on the job for duty's sake and not for tlie " thrill " to be got out of criminal

investigation. 1 lie l'olo Ground Mystery," by Robin Forsythe. t'l'.io Bucdey Head.)