The Dying Alderman.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19239, 28 November 1930, Page 6

The Dying Alderman.

Week-End Books.

Henry Wade By E. J. Bell. Mr Wade has made a name as a writer of really good detective stories. He came into prominence with that cleverly constructed story, “The Duke of York’s Steps,** which first appeared last year. The background of this new story is the council chamber in the town of Quenborough, a provincial town in England. A debate is taking place and one of the councillors has made a gross charge against other members and is called to order by the Mayor, Sir John Assington. Alderman Trant had something to say in the matter and accused the members of forcing up land to a fictitious value, and stated that it was his intention to bring the culprit to book. The Council adjourned for tea, but twenty minutes later Mrs Trant found her husband dead; he had been stabbed in the neck. The problem which Captain Race, the chief constable, had to solve was a difficult one. Was the murderer the Mayor, whom Trant had accused? Was it Mrs Trant, who first found her husband? Was it any other member of the Council? The usual inquest is held, the local police endeavour to discover the culprit, but in the end Inspector Lott, of Scotland Yard, is called in. Mr Vorley, the local superintendent, has theories quite different from Mr Lott’s, this helping to make the story a most exciting one. The clues certainly point to several people as the possible murderer, but a clever piece of work on the part of Mr Lott brings the story to a startling climax. This story reaches the high-water mark of crime fiction, and Mr Wade has written nothing better. Out Of Great Tribulation. H. A. Vac hell. Mr Vachell needs little introduction because he has already written a very large number of novels, all of which have been immensely popular. This new story interests the reader right from the first page. Mrs Mansell, a widow with one son is in love with an eminent K.C. who is a widower and also has one son. Curiously enough both these boys are artists in Chelsea. The story opens with Harry Mansell at work painting his model, Nellie Green. Later in the evening Bunt Standish goes to the studio, finds Nellie there waiting for Harry Mansell, and makes love to her. There is a scene in the studio. Bunt crushed a cushion against her (ace and forced her back upon the divan . • . Bunt lifted the cushion and stared at Nell; she was dead. He stood still glancing fearfully about him. He gulped down some whisky . . . and went out. Shortly after this Harry Mansell entered the studio, but did not see the body of Nellie, which was covered with a cloth, until a friendly policeman made the startling discovery which resulted, of course, in Harry being taken to the nearest police station. Mr Standish, K.C., the father of Bunt, pledges himself to bring the murderer to justice, not knowing that his own son is involved. Out of this material Mr Vachell has constructed an excellent story which combines tragedy, romance, and drama, and which is also crowded with fine characterisations. I can recommend thir story for the week-end or holiday reader.