SPIES IN THE HIMALAYAS

Southland Times, Issue 22728, 2 November 1935, Page 11

SPIES IN THE HIMALAYAS

• James Raeburn had a humdrum job in the Foreign Office, but he was suddenly asked to go to India to assist in running down a party of German igents operating north of the Himalayas with the object of turning the Tibetans against the British. This is the starting point of Joanna Carman’s "The Hills Sleep On,” a story of excitement and thrills without thought oi plausability. Troubles start early. As James is proceeding from Toulon to Marseilles to catch his boat, he is invited to do the journey by motor instead of by train. He elects to go by car and when he is sight-seeing in a small historic town, his unknown enemies push him over the wall of a bastion. But James, if apparently rather dull, is tough, and he reaches his boat just in time. Thereon he meets the official who is to help him in the hunt, and also Jean Grainger, the girl who is engaged to his friend, Nicholas Tirrel. In Darjeeling James comes up with Nicholas and also with Mrs Van Essen, whose name is Orchid, and whose secret affair with Nicholas James accidentally discovers. Then comes a trip to Tibet and a battle of wits and muscle against a desperate enemy, with an unexpected climax and a satisfactory ending. Joanna -Cannan has written her story well, and though the plot runs on wellworn rails she makes it acceptable and interesting. “The Hills Sleep On,” by Joanna Cannan. (Messrs Hodder and Stoughton, Ltd., London.)