Some Reviews in Brief

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23997, 21 June 1941, Page 16

Some Reviews in Brief

Miss Rosemary Rees Novels by the well-known New Zealander. .\iiss Rosemary Rees, are always popular. Her latest, "Sackcloth for Susan" (Chapman and Hall), with its typical New Zealand background, provides absorbing light entertainment. When Hob Meredith first meets Susan Garth she is a self-willed, high-spirited schoolgirl, but as years and experience increase, Susan finds lite not always as she wants it. Heartbreaks and hardlearned lessons have to be faced before she discovers romance and real happiness. Splendid Gipsy Tales There will he many who will agree with the conclusion that "Abel Hawk lia.s a heart of gold in spite of his rascality.'' Mr. I'M ward Fittall. in "The .Moon is lip" (Kpworth Press), gives some twelve stories ol Abel Hawk, gipsv and poacher. Abe! is a true son of the countryside, a hit of a philosopher, loyal to his people of the caravan, and invariably conies out on top in his encounters with the gamekeepers. In Modern China "Hankow Heturn," by C. S. Archer (Collins), is ;i first novel about an airman in China. It gives a first-class picture el the China of the war years ami makes vivid, exciting reading. The story centres round the character of a young pilot vv ho leads a squadron against llie Japanese bombers in an attack on Hankow. C. S. Archer's own adventurous eareej in China proves tin* authenticity of the story's background. Luxury Yacht Mystery "Holiday Homicide" is another of Mr. Rufus King's steam-yacht stories; as sinister as Mr. King's stories are apt to he, with a crashing final surprise during a storm at sea. The murder — or the first murder - happens while the yacht is lying at a wharf in New York's Kast River. The millionaire owner is shot in his cabin, and Cotton Moon, private detective, charges his usual .'if).ooo dollars, expenses not included, for getting off the suspected man. The tale is toid by his secretary, a retired bar-tender, whose style of conversation alone is worth the money. "Holiday Homicide," by Kiitus King. (Mellon n.) 4 Weird House "The Crooked House," by John Rowland, records another exploit by his popular detective, Inspector Shelley. The detective is called upon to help an old acquaintance, McCabe, who lives in "the crooked house," which is peopled by all sorts of queer relatives and evacuees, ami McCabe insists that attempts are being made on his life. Shelley goes to stay at the weird house, and lie soon realises that. McCabe s fears are by no means groundless. It, would spoil the story to detail t:!ie plot, but Mr. Rowland' gives his public a mystery novel which the discriminating reader of detective fiction will appreciate. "The Crooked Mouse," by John Rowland. (Herbert Jenkins.)

Fine Piece of Writing .Ranging over -10 years and covering three generations, Miss Barbara Goolden's "Crown of Life (Hcincmann) is, in essence, the story of a woman whose life is given up to service. It shows that goodness is not an arid, but a rich and satisfying quality. A line piece of writ ing. Army Nurse Miss Louise French's lively and revealing diary of nursing service in a military hospital brings back memories of Find Ragnold's amusing diary of the last war. "Service Pattern" is frank and informative, disguising nothing of the arduoiisness of the work, but giving many glimpses of good humour, fun and courage. "Service Pattern," by Louiso French. (Chiipman and Hall.) Florida Coast Those who enjoy novels of adventure will welcome "Reap the Wild Wind," by Thelma Strabel. It is a story of just over a century ago and tells of the wreckers of Florida who, although they were not pirates, were so keen on salvage work that it seemed many ves-els which might very well have been saved were lured to their doom. There are also brave and bold sailors, and Matthew Charborue is one of the best. The story of his daughter's romance adds to the interest of a stirring tale. (Collins.) Slight, But Fascinating "The Lady in the Fur Coat," by (•'rank Til-ley (Collins), is a slight, fascinating tale of two young people, a farmer and a dancer, marooned by a heavy snow-storm in a small country waiting room. Refore the end —which is not romantic the girl has been face to face, for the first time, with real honesty, and he has been caught up for a moment in an illusion of beauty. Victorian Country Life Mr. Crichton Porteous' theme in his first novel is the one lie has made familiar in his autobiographical studies: the city niair who hankers alter life on a farm. Although discursive, the country scenes are all e, am! the conversations and manners are absolutely in period, which is Victorian. "The Collate," by Crichton Portcous. (Michael Joseph.) Problem For Two Sisters The reason why Jennifer Ames has chosen "Honeymoon Alone" for the title ol her new novel the reader can discover. Two sisters are running a g1l e.-,t house and one of them is seriously ill when a young man who has fallen in love with her. tuins up alter an absence abroad ready to wed and incidentally to put the guest house on a sound financial basis. Rut Julie is as attractive as Susan, who is ill. and there are complications, for the sisters are devoted to each other. This and other problems are solved in this pleasant story. (Hodder and Stoughton.)