REVIEWS

Waikato Independent, Volume XXIX, Issue 3103, 27 June 1929, Page 6

REVIEWS

- v NEW BOOKS. ;'/->' ''DOWN SOUTH." To extol t'hc virtues of the life of the farmer," and the beauties of the country, is surely an extraordinary theme for a present-day novelist; 'yet that is the aim of Upton Cray, an English writer whose books have been verywell received. "Down South," one of his latest efforts, tells of the doings of a ne'er-do-well-farm labourer, of a roving disposition, and his precocious son. They wander from one part of England to another working on various farms at times, and meeting with all sorts of thrilling adventures. ' The father, though of the gipsy type, fond of whisky, and.-ah. adopt at poaching and petty thieving, has a good stock of "horse sense," and many redeeming characteristics, one of which is-love for his boy, who accompanies him in all his wanderings. The lad is a remarkable character —a raw, uncouth, uneducated boy, if we accept the ordinary standards of education, but whose knowledge of life on the land, of. farming, and of how to eke out an existence, if put to his own resources; showed a knowledge of these matters that would put a great many so-called educated people to shame. It is very evident that the author of this interesting book understands the heart of those who live by the land. The book has a breath of the country about it. It calls one to the beauties of Nature and stirs within the heart of the reader a love for the open spaces, the corn fields, the meadows, the trees ,birds and flowers. It is a decidedly refreshing book that we can recommend to.'all.

"THE SCOEPION." An international treaty forms the basis of a somewhat remarkable and most thrilling story from the pen of the author of "The Black Swan," Mr. William Penmorc. In endeavouring fo get the drafts of a treaty through to Rumania, a messenger was "murdered. A prominent officer in the secret, service came in touch with the murderers, who were after the papers, and he and his friends became involved in a determined and most dangerous pursuit of the gang, who were led by a man of-out-standing ability and diabolical ingenuity, known as "The Scorpion." The story is-, a real "thriller," well told, and lovers of this class of novel will delight in perusing its pages. The plot is cleverly constructed, and there .is a satisfactory, ending to all the exciting incidents. "The .Scorpion" should prove a good seller.' r :

"THE VILLA JANE." Readers who are looking for sensation—and their name is legion nowadays—will have no reason to find fault with "The Villa Jane," a novel from the pen of Mrs. Janet Laing. It is one of those stories calculated to make one's hair stand on end, so full is it of mystery and sensational happenings. In the heroine, of the story, " Antncva Montmorency," tho author, has conceived a most attractive character, a lady of remarkable resourcefulness, though a charmingj attractive young woman, who determines- to get to the bottom of a mystery, and does so, with a nerve and astuteness that would do credit to the most noted detective. The plot is well conceived, and unfolds in unexpected fashion, being full of surprises for the "reader. It is a really clever and most entertaining novel that should become exceedingly- popular. All the above books are published by Hodder and Stoughton, and are on sale by all booksellers. , ,