NEW BOOKS

Waipa Post, Volume 42, Issue 3314, 25 June 1931, Page 6

NEW BOOKS

HALF-CROWN REPRINTS.

The class of book now included in Hodder and Stoughton's latest issue of reprints, selling at half-a-crown, is decidedly attractive, for not only are they the product of widely-read authors, but they are excellently bound with a new style of cloth cover and attractive title sheet. Among these is S. Foskett's " Temple in the Tope," a story of Southern Central India, reminiscent of "The Green Goddess," issued by the same firm last year. "The Temple in the Tope" gives a good deal of insight into Indian superstitions and religious rites that, happily, are less prevalent now than half a century ago. The story has to do with the intentions of the wicked priesthood to immolate a very beautiful young white girl as a sacrifice to the pagan gods and the efforts of an officer of the Indian Civil Service to frustrate those intentions. The story is well told, and holds the attention of the reader throughout. Another worthy addition to the library is " Death on Tiptoe," by R. C. Ashby. The story tells of the traditions surrounding an old English castle and the jealousy of the only surviving member of a once-honoured family. An intriguing love affair, a fateful house party, and a baffling police investigation all combine to hold the interest of the reader until the solution is revealed in the closing pages. Cast in historic surroundings, the contrast with the modern life of gaiety is revealed in a most absorbing way. The author has drawn his characters perfectly to fit the theme of this somewhat unusual and captivating story.