Evening star., 1937-07-28
NEW BOOKS
AT RANDOM
BY MARGARET GERNOND.
CARNIVAL ON QUICKSAND. BY
Valerie Savage New York: Double

assumption that the glamour OF romance
Is eternal and that love is an armor
which the disrupting influences OF civil
1zation cannot penetrate. Both premises,
In theory, constitute the ideal of perfect
harmony. Exposure to the commonplace
demands of everyday life, however, too
frequently dissipates the ephemeral sub
stance OF which both theories are
fabricated.
Lamson Is ten years old when Nicholas
Lavrin. world famed vioinist, appears as
a concert artist In Westford, Ohio, and
is entertained overnight as the guest OF
her father and mother. Such occasions
are common in the Ohio town, for Mrs.
Pike never misses an opportunity to
bring concert artist to Westford, and,
OF course, holds a monopoly on the
privilege of opening her home to them.
Lamson hates all artists, and particular
ly the celebrities which overrun the house
on every concert occasion.
Nicholas Lavrin's arrival comedies with
Lamsons belated homecoming as the
result Of skating accident Noting her
crippled condition, he carries her into
the house, and in the few moments that
he thus holds her in his arms she falls
in love with him. His departure the
next day is a blow to her ardent youth
full emotions. But she knows that when
she grows up she is going to marry
playmate to whom she has already pro-
posed, and this knowledge helps to ease
the pain of her futile love for the
handsome Virtuoso.
Seven years later Lamson again meets
Nicholas. this time in Switzerland, where
she is in school. When announcement
is made that the famous Lavrin is to
appear in concert she boasts of her
Intimate acquaintance with him, then
in f1t OF terror writes to ask him please
to pretend that he remembers her so
that her school friends will not know
that her boast is without foundation.
Nick plays the game with her and again
their paths separate. A few years later
they meet again, when Lamson is
beautiful, self-possessed young woman.
The old flame that has dmmed but
never died flares brightly again under
the influence Of Nick's compelling charm,
and this time he falls in love with her
despite the fact that each is engaged
to some one else. They are married
Immediately and flee to Nick's villa In
sunny, romantic Italy.
A few hours after their marriage Nick
exacts promise from Lamson that no
matter what he may do or how he may
behave she will never forget that he
loves her. Which is a romantic if not
fair method Of gaining approval of a
declaration Of independence of conduct
for one member of new partnership
LamSon promises but she does not know
that she is married to a genius and not
to man to whom the rules Of normal
living can be applied
Up to this point the story has the
freshness Of delightful comedy as it
relates the unconventional situations
created by the entirely guieless actions
OF lmpulsive youth. Then comes the
serious matter of a man and a woman,
undoubtedly in love. yet unable to reach
a. common ground OF understanding
until heart-breaking experiences grind
into their consciousness the knowledge
that the strength of love as an armor
against the disrupting forces of life is
maintained only by the capacity OF the
individual for sympathetic companion
ship.
AS whole 1t is a lively and enter
tanning novel, embracing both comedy
and drama, and generously peopled with
specifically typical, wholly engaging
characters.
THE PEACOCK FEATHER MURDERS.
BY Carter Dickson. New York: Will
liam Morrow 6S Co.
An upper room in deserted house
Is the scene OF an elaborate setting for
r9JS of
murder. The police, in fact, receive the
following invitation to attend the party:
There will be ten teacups at Number
T. Berwick Terrace. w. 8, on Wednesday,
July 81, at pm. precisely. The presence
OF the metropolitan police is respectfully
requested"
The house is unfurnished save for the
room In which the crime is enacted. In
that room is a table spread with a hand
some cloth Of gold bearing an elaborate
peacock feather design. Ten black tea
cups are spaced at regular intervals
around the table. A heavy carpet covers
the floor and few pieces OF furniture
give the room an appearance OF comfort.
Chief Inspector Masters places guard
around the house, seeks the assistance of
Sir Henry Merrivale. places Sergeant Pol
lard inside the house and later adds his
own presence to the group of Watchers
The reason for so much concern over the
invitation is that similar note to which
the police paid only casual attention
turned out to be a notification that
murder was to be committed. and the
Dartley case, much to the chagrin of
Scotland Yard, has for two years re-
manned in the criminal mystery records
as unsolved.
Despite all the preca utions, and with
positive knowledge that Vance Keating
Is the only human being in the house
except Sergeant Pollard-two shots blast
the silence of the neighborhood, and
when Pollard rushes into the room Keat-
ing is lying dead on the floor with q
bullet in his spine and another in the
back of his head. Every inch of the
house is searched but no one is found.
Fixtures are examined and search for
trick devices are Systematically con-
Quoted. but no mechanical set-up comes
to light.
In the Dartley case the teacups were
rare antiques with peacock feather
decorations. Peacock feathers and tea
both figure In ancient mystic rites, and
there is occasion for considering the pos
sibility of secret society exacting re-
venge. This is especially significant
when third invitation to be present
In another house where teacups for ten
will be laid is received. Some of the
people who were friends or associates
OF Dartley are also members of the
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