RECENT FICTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22254, 5 May 1934, Page 4

RECENT FICTION

*• The World Is Tours.” By G. B. Lancaster (Endeavour Press). "In A Province.” By Laurens van der Post (Hogarth Press). „ , " They Were Not Amused." By Hylton Cleaver (Methuen). " Scent of Magnolia." By Carmel Haden Guest (Ilarrap). „ , "Judy.” By W. H. Lane Crauford (Ward, Lock, 4s net). " All About Jane." By Pamela Wynne Fiddle." By Marjorie Tail (Mills and Boon). _ „ “ 12.30 From Croydon." By Freeman Wills Crofts (Hodder and Stoughton). " The Doctor’s First Murder.' By Robert Hare (Hurst and Blackett). ■ _ _ , “The Mosquito Net." By Gerald B. Savi (Wright and Brown). " The Master Murderer. By Carolyn Wells (Llppincott). " Who Killed Robin Cockland ? By Peter Luck (Jenkins). . . , "Strange Cargo." By Mary Richmond (Wright and Brown). - . , . (Each 7s net, unless otherwise stated.) Yukon Romance

G. B. Lancaster’s. “The World Is Yours ’’ leaves the reader with the impression that the not very satisfactory romance, which provides the main narrative interest, fails to complement the setting, which is strongly conveyed, ihe Yukon of this novel -is not familiar to fiction readers. It is a modernised and emasculated Yukon, throughout the greater portion of the story, which has emerged from its lusty, roaring days to become a replica of the^ American Middle West. It is, crudely civilised instead of being vigorously and naturally savage. This is a pity, since G; B. Lancaster has shown that her ability to re-create a bristling, red-blooded community is one of her chief gifts as a novelist. Tamsin, the daughter of a Scottish storekeeper at Dawson City, is the heroine, and the development of this independent, affectionate girl from youth to maturity is competently traced. But while • Tamsin discovers in herself a mystical affinity with the wild aspects of Nature, the boy and man, Kirk, whom she accepts as her predestined lover, will not fit into the picture. The war separates .Tamsin and Kirk. On his return he is persuaded that the suspicion that he is a murderer —a mounted policeman is anxious to pin on him the capital charge for a killing which was at worst manslaughter—debars him from seeking her hand. Kirk drifts away, .falls under evil influences, while Tamsin accepts the protection of an elderly,, amiable husband. It was inevitable that this compromise Jwith life would not work out when persons so eager of their destiny are .concerned, and the author provides a climax which, however, seems more tragic than inevitable. There is some skilful incidental characterisation in the book, and the scene is well presented. ■/ * i “In a Province ", 1 \ “In a Province ” is a South African novel, the first work of a young Dutch African, which is free, on the one hand, from the shallow eroticism that marks so much fiction of this origin, and on the other hand, from impassioned and often bitter partisanship, such as so often informs South African books written with a sincere purpose. Mr van der Post makes a case, and a very impressive one, for a fresh understanding of the main problem in the Union to-day. It is a racial problem, not of the conflict between Englishman and Boer, but of white and native. In the creation of a territory in which blacks still predominate in number, but the whites are overlords, this difficult situation is Inherent. To the present it . has been settled—so. far as it can be said to haw been faced—by the subordination of the 'natives. That method does not, as Mr van der Post shows,i guarantee, anything but continuous trouble. His thesis is worked out in terms of the individual. Van Bredepoel, a Dutch-African, early becomes interested in the colour question, and realises the iniquities which arc practised in the exploitation or ignoring of it. Then, in a city rooming house, he meets a young native, who has just come from his country district. The carefree, attractive personality of the native, Kenon, is most sympathetically delineated, before the author passes on to show "the tragedy which, it would seem, is implicit in Kenori’s circumstances. First Kenon goes to gaol, accused of being the instigator in a brawl, and from that time his degeneration' sets in, fostered by a sense of the hopelessness and injustice of his lot. He becomes involved with agitators, and when . van Bredepoel re-en-counters him it is too late to do anything but share his fate. This novel is excellently'written, With discretion in the use of the instruments of the novelistreformer, and a care and humanity in characterisation that make the author’s work as a writer of fiction worth watching. That it states, a problem which cannot be, perpetually ignored, gives it a disturbing, quality. "They Were Not Amused " . There, is little reason why the “they” of this unusual story should have been diverted’ by the whimsicalities of their 'eccentric relation, Bailey Lucas. . Before he came into a fortune, and built a large and ugly house for himself, Bailey had already shown his flair for elaborate and cynical practical jokes. When death was approaching he conceived a final jest of a rather mordant nature, inviting his poor relations to stay with him and search the house and grounds for such shares of his money as they could discover. They joined unwillingly in the hunt, for most of them were strong on dignity and weak in the bank balance, and the manner of their behaviour provides the reader, as jt provided Bailey, with considerable insight into their characters. After the chase has. waxed and waned for a few days, old Bailey, whether by accident or design, manages to give events a grim turn, and the story takes on some of the aspects of a murder mystery. But Mr Cleaver' retains his individuality of treatment throughout the book, and discriminating readers will appreciate the perception with which he combines two stereotyped plots and gives them point. " They Were Not Amused ” is a comedy which is free, either from boisterousness or sentimentality, and there should be a public that will value it for its discretion. “ Scent of Magnolia ”

Mrs Garmel Haden Guest’s latest novel comprises a feeble, though still interesting, attempt to compare the respective cultures of Europe and Spanish South America. It is only in the respect that there can be no real comparison of two such totally different objects that the charge of feebleness can be levelled at the book.- As a story of a young man’s pursuit of ideals, his fight against traditions and customs with which ne has no sympathy, and his final relinquishment of the futile practice of “ kicking against the pricks,” it is a highly readable and very entertaining piece of work. The character drawing is done with a strong, firm brush, and the whole romantic muddle of which the tale consists is played out against a picturesque background full of colour and novelty. Henry Alverez Smith, half-Eng-lish, half-Argentino, is a most uncertain quantity. While at school and university in l England he is extremely diffident about admitting his English strain because he finds so much to quarrel with in things which he regards as typically English, but when he returns to the Argentine he is even less anxious to proclaim his South American allegiance for similar reasons. His way of life is made still more complicated by the fact that in each country he has an unsuccessful love affair. "Judy” This light-hearted, quite improbable tale has more sparkle to it than most in its particular category. It concerns the adventures and misunderstandings which arise when Tim, having lost his fortune iu the Stock Exchange, consents to act as a servant in his own country house, while a friend entertains therein an American millionaire and his daughter. The conclusion may be anticipated, but the author deals very deftly with the obstacles which present themselves before Tim and Judy are willing to acknowledge their mutual enthusiasm. “ All About Jane ” Jane, the heroine of Pamela Wynne’s new romance, had reached the age of 29 without experiencing the tender passion. She seemed destined to spend her life in a spinsterly way, looking after a wealthy woman's two lap-dogs, but a friend taught her how to dress, then introduced her to the rising young novelist, Neil Massey. Jane fell humbly in love with him, but

when she became his secretary had no hope that he would eventually ask her to be his wife. “ Second Fiddle ” This is a romantic and sentimental story in which it ,is the woman, engaged in a serious golfing career, who hesitates to permit love to interfere_ with her orderly ’ existence. Her suitor is a musician, a trifle less masterly in dealing with a sport-loving girl than in handling his violin. It requires an accident to Nicholas, which threatens to destroy all his musical ambitions, to bring Maggie into his arms, still flushed from a championship victory on the golf links. Truth or Fiction Most mystery gtories commence by describing a crime, and then proceed to follow, the detectives through a tangled skein of clues until the guilty person is discovered. Mr Crofts’s “12.30 From Croydon ” is a complete departure from this convention. Charles Swinburn is introduced as being desperately in need of money. He is heir to his uncle’s estate, and the idea germinates in big mind of getting B rid .of the old gentleman ami possessing himself of it. At first repelled by the thought, he returns to toy with it, views it from every angle, finally succeeds in justifying such action to his own conscience, and proceeds to •formulate‘big plans accordingly. His every step is closely - followed, his psychology cleverly analysed. So carefully, so skilfully, have all arrangements been made that Swinburn is on a cruise in the Mediterranean when he receives notice of hia uncle’s death, which is regarded as suicide. One person, however, knows it was not, and cannot resist the temptation to blackmail Swinburn, who for his own protection is forced to remove this menace. Almost immediately afterwards he learns that Scotland Yard is investigating the circumstances of his uncle’s death. Then comes his arrest and the harrowing experiences of the long trial, during which he is stricken with dismay at the manner in which the detectives have pieced together the map of evidence against Mm. Follows a period of elation and mental exaltation when his lawyer thrills the court with an impassioned speech in his defence, but hope sinks and ultimately vanishes before the inexorable summing-up of’ the judge. Having followed the movements and ideas of the culprit through some 22 chapters, the author then cleverly introduces in the last pages a conference between detectives and lawyers when their methods and the clues found are described in detail, bringing. to a logical conclusion a story which reads more like truth than fiction.

The Author Freeman Wills Crofts was born in Dublin in 1879, the son of an Army doctor, and educated in Belfast. He became a pupil in civil engineering to the chief engineer of the Belfast and Northern Counties Railway, and by 1923 was chief assistant-engineer to the system. He commenced writing detective stories in 1919, and ten years later resigned from the railways in order to devote his -whole time to this pursuit, which he varies by playing the organ, travelling, and gardening. His novels include “ In-, spector.'French’s Greatest Case,” “ Sudden Death, and “Mystery in the Channel.” He is married, and lives at Guildford, in Surrey,

Medico Murderers “ The Doctor’s First Murder ” is an interesting mystery story, again a variant on the routine type of “ thriller.” . Dr Truppen, who with a certain whimsicality lays his , plans for murder carefully, hig purpose being to annex ■ the fame and fortune of a colleague, is forestalled by another jealous medico. The police’, however, suspect Truppep, and in order to clear himself he is compelled to discover the person who anticipated him with the deed. It is while he is busydodging the police and pursuing his private inquiries that he actually has to kill somebody—this time without premeditation. “ The Mosquito Net ”

In his latest'work Mr Savi traces the adventures of Jack Ralston, a police officer ’at Bwetpon, on the Irrawaddy delta. This young man, filled with enthusiasm for his job, determines to put a stop to the -widespread custom .of gambling among the natives, and speedily finds that he ig up against a much larger proposition- than he bargained for. His fortunes and misfortunes while engaged in his crusade, skilfully outlined against a background of native intrigue and tribal custom, make interesting reading, .and the story is leavened with a dash of humour.

Carolyn Wells Clinton Everett leaves a large fortune and a controversial will. In one night four / people who -would have benefited under it meet death by murder. The money, thus goes to a nephew, Corson, who is in the mountains big-game hunting at the time of his uncle’s death. When Corson returns to ” claim the fortune the mystery concerning the deaths of the other beneficiaries is still unsolved. The ultimate revelation of the identity of the murderer may not come as a great surprise to readers, but Carolyn Wells handles “The Master Murderer” (from Whitcombe and Tombs) with her usual skill. Who Killed Robin Cockland?

Cock Robin, as he was called, goes to the Ship Inn, an hotel on a lonely part of the Suffolk coast, to recuperate after typhoid fever. He realises at once that there is something queer about the place, and in his inquiries comes upon some facts which render him obnoxious to people in high places. He is shot, and later his body is found dreadfully battered by the sea and rocks. That murder leads to the unravelling of a mystery which had baffled Scotland Yard for many a day. " Strange Cargo ”

This story of mystery and intrigue concerns the activities of a gang of .international jewel thieves. From Spain the scene soon shifts to South Africa, where, in Johannesburg, East London, and Capetown, the main action takes place. A lively romance runs through the story, and the writer has a philosophy distinctly unconventional and wholly refreshing. V. V. L.