Light Reading for the Week-end

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22444, 13 June 1936, Page 4 (Supplement)

Light Reading for the Week-end

MANY MURDERS

One of the best mystery-novel writers of the present day is David Froine, whoso two characters, Inspector Bull, of New Scotland Yard, and Mr. Pinkerton, his comical little friend, are as well known as Hercule Poirot, Dr. Thorndike and Superintendent Wilson. Mr. Frome's book, "The Body in the Turl," which was first published in February, *1935, has now been issued in a cheaper edition as one of the Longman Thrillers series. The murder of Sir William Brame, whoso body was found propped against the wall of St. Judo's College, Oxford, and of succeeding murders which occurred as a result of the first, provide the foundation for an exceedingly exciting and cleverly-told story. "The Body in the Turl," by David Frome. (Longmans.)

SMUGGLING UP-TO-DATE

A crime story of exceptional merit is "Wolf's Crag," by David Whitelaw, who deals with the exploits of Paul Lough. Driven from America by a rival gangster, Paul returned to the home of his Cornish forefathers—bold pirates and smugglers—to organise a new smuggling enterprise based on the most modern business lines. Peter Wells, aged 24, goes to Wolf's Crag for his annual holiday and happens upon many mysterious and dangerous adventures, which, instead of sending him post-haste back to London and his quiet routine, arouse his curiosity to such an extent that ho remains whore he is and determines to solve the mystery. Peter has his Little Hour as did his father before him in Mr. Whitclnw's previous novel, "The Little Hour of Peter Wells." "Wolf's Crag," by David Whitelaw. (Geoffrey Blea.)

CRIME IN SCOTLAND

Several outstanding features as well as a totally unexpected ending are provided in "Defeat of a Detective," by Cecil M. Wills. In this story appears once again ex-Detective-Inspector Geoffrey Jioscobell, lato of New Scotland Yard, who, in his now capacity as a private detective is called to investigate a case in Scotland. .John Devoncourt is found shot beside a fishing stream and his cousin and heir, Hugh Devoncourt, is arrested and tried for his murder. Geoffrey Hoscobell's mission is to secure tho release of Hugh by finding the real murderer. Apart from the appeal of the mystery itself, the story will be widely read because of tho fact that Scottish law of procedure in the case of murder is fully described. In addition there is an interesting description of a ballistics expert at work. "Defeat of a Dotective," by Cecil M. Wills. (tH odder and Stoughton.)