BOOKS REVIEWED.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16877, 26 October 1920, Page 7

BOOKS REVIEWED.

We have received four novels from the Sydney agents of Messrs. Jdodder and Stoughton. The name of these publishers Ss a guarantee of good literature. “The Slayer* of Souls,” by Robert W. Chambers is the latest work by a prolific writer who is always sure of many readers. In this book Mr. Chambers has struck somewhat new ground. He traces the cause of the present unrest and evil in the world largely to the machinations of a sect known 'aa the Yezidees, who in a remote part of China have for centuries been' perfecting themselves in the arte of evil. They have made wonderful discoveries in sorcery and have learned how to exert vast influence over the minds of men. An American girl who has been captured when a child and trained in all their aids, escapes and reaches America just at the time when eight men have been dispatched as foci of infection to destroy civilisation. The Secret Service is on the track of the eight and secures the ;aid of the escaped girl. The struggle becomes fast and furious between ths two sides, and few will put down the book before They have learned the outcome. A love interest adds charm to an exciting story. "A Western Delilah,” by Frank Houghton, Is a pleasing story of the great North-West, where virtue and vice show themselves in stronger lights than in regions where civilisation Jias reached a higher pitch. The beautiful heroine Barbara, in the effort to save the man she loves, does not hesitate to pit the power of her beauty against the designs of the villain of the piece. There are many thrilling incidents, but youth and love win in the end though catastrophe is only just avoided. “The Cross Pull,” by Hal G. Ewarts, is a book which will please old and young alike. It deals with the openair life on the forest spheres of the Bookies where wild desperadoes hide from the long arm of justice a brave girl and her lover are threatened by their evil plans. The real hero of the story is, however, the dog Flash, half wolf, half dog, whose faithfulness to his master and mistress helps them in many tight corners. It is a hook which will he enjoyed by all in the house, and there will be many discussions as to whether it is better than “The Call of the Wild,” which had so many admirers. iifin ri . »j i ■»«. >

“The Scar,” by Ruby M. Ayres, is the story of a boy who seemed bom under an unlucky star. His father was wealthy, but cared nothing for his son whose birth had caused the death of hie mother, while his aunt, who brought him up, hated him. Alter, an unfortunate early education he drifted into bad ways, and the girl who might have saved him was already tied to a worthless husband. For a tune things take a very' gloomy turn, but a railway accident disposes of an inconvenient woman and all ends happily.

‘'Fruit-growing in New Zealand,” this is one of the excellent handbooks published by Messrs. Whitcombe and Tombs. It is written by Mr. J. T. Sinclair, head gardener to Mr. A. E. G'. Rhodes, who has not only practical knowledge of gardening, but also unusual skill in writing about it. The book is intended to give the amateur instructions how to manage fruit trees of every description. It gives excellent advice about planting, pruning, and other means of producing the best results from apples, pears, peaches, etc., as well as small fruits like gooseberries and strawberries. The skilled gardener can provide many useful hints even for those who are not absolutely beginners. A valuable chapter deals with pests and how to cope with them, and residents of Taranaki, where the mild climate seems very favourable to these hindrances to the production of fruit, will find much information of value with regard to sprays and other Sevang of keeping their trees healthy.