The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-06-16

style about Houser.
BY WALTER ID. HICKMAN
COMBINES authors of mystery
- novels introduce characters and
counter plots for no reason at all
but TO confuse the reader.
l have just completed mystery
novel that has at least three major
plots and SO many characters that
it looks like the cast list for The
Miracle"
The novel that l am telling you
about is The Kestrel House Mys-
terry" an English story by T. C.
Jacobs, author of Documents of
Murder" 1t is published by the
Macaulay Company and sells Tor 81.
You are concerned with three
vital problems in this story. First
just who is Mr.. Pyecroft? Is he
crook or protector? What was old
eccentric DR.. Moieneau doing with
disappeared human individuals in a
secret cellar in or near KeStrel
House? Why were two notorious
gangs of international counterfeiters
trying to get into Kestrel House,
killing and fighting each other in
terrible combat?
You will agree with me that THE
Kestrel House Mystery" has enough
plots and characters for about six
of the average mystery novels we
are getting today.
Here is a lengthy novel of 313
pages and l am ready to go on
record that 1 had to force myself
to go to bed the other night and
/ was wide awake and ready to fin
ish the book by in the morning.
Here is intriguing and vast the
alter of reading. Every character has
a definite place in this story. Every
incident has direct bearing upon
the three plots and all movements
dovetail into a complete mystery
tapestry.
The thing that 1 like about the
author of "Kestrel House" is that
every character, with the exception
of one that Jacob creates, actually
coud exist and do even the horrible
things they do in the story.
The only feeling that had was
why didn't the authorities really
raid Kestrel House before they did?
Before the raid happened four
women and one man had been alb
Quoted on Dartmoor moor, never to
appear alive again.
How was the terrible He'll Bound
created? Did DR.. Moineau trans
fer the brain of living man into
the head of hound. Was that one
of the terrors of the moor?
OF course, that is not realism It
is just plain terror. You will agree
with me that if this isn't jolly hor-
ror it is mighty gripping and hair
raising theater.
OF course, there is a love story,
but to trace it through all Of the
avenues of horror and suspense
would be to answer one of the plots.
If you want to have horribly fine
time of it. then read 1.-The Kestrel
House Mystery" to yourself, not the
children, because they will not be
sleeping under your roof for one
night at least.
Regarding a question concerning
new books on Spiritualism. One of
the latest books of this nature is
"Spiritmans Place and Function in
Nature by Dr. A. B. Jamison. 1t
is attracting attention although
am not familiar with it.
Remember, I predicted that THE
American Gun Mystery" would be
a best seller? Well, it is. You recall
l recommended it as a vacation
companion for those who want
thrills. The author is Ellery Queen,
published by Stokes.
A reader of this department
writes: Under the date of May 10,
1888, in The Times, you suggested
certain books for summer reading,
The list suggested was good for
adults. but l should like to nave a
list for young girls between the ages
of IL and Is. have two daughters
between that age and want to re-
quire certain reading for them dur
ing the summer and would like to
have your advice, ETC.
OF the newer books, would sug-
gest the following: "SpaniardS'
Mark" by Allan Dwight, modern
mystery and adventure story for
girls; Echo HILL by Edna Turpin,
story of how the five young
Meades loved their home when they
were about to lose it; Twelve
American Poets: Before 1900,' by
Rica Bremen, and published by
Harcourt; Thirteen Ghostly Yarns,
edited by E. H. Sechrist; Arctic
Village" by Robert Marshall, a
lovely adventure, and "Footloose in
India" by Gordon Sinclair, more
adult than Dick Halliburton.
Regardless how many times they
have read "Alice's Adventure in
wonderland" get hold of the Gen.
tenary edition, with illustrations by
John Tenniel Published by Mac
milan and sells for 81, with sn in
PRODUCTION Hugh Walpole.
In the future I am going TO in
crease this list.