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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 11, Issue 9 (December 1, 1936)

Reviews

Reviews.

“Sky Pilot's Last Flight,” by K. Langford Smith (Angus & Robertson Ltd., Sydney) is a worthy sequel to “Sky Pilot in Arnhem Land.” In newspaper phraseology, every page of this book is “full of meat.” Arnhem Land comprises one of the wildest and interesting portions of Australia. When his ‘plane is in working order our Sky Pilot is off one day to succour someone hundreds of miles away and then we accompany him on seemingly impossible journeys by land and water. The author is always an engrossing companion and apparently has an endless supply of anecdote. His own difficulties and tragedies are not the least interesting portion of his book. Every page has a thrill or a laugh.

“Conversations With My Uncle,” by Frank Sargeson, is an artistically produced booklet from the Unicorn Press, Auckland. Most of the sketches have already appeared in the Christchurch journal “To-morrow.” They are full of quaint philosophy, and are written with artistic simplicity. I am keen to see more of the author's work.

“Boom-Time Gold,” by G. W. Wicking (Angus & Robertson, Sydney), suggests in its title a romance of the old time gold-mining days. The story, however, concerns a very recent search for gold on an Australian sheep station. Ten thousand sovereigns have been buried on the estate by an old gold hoarder. James McPherson, a six foot devil-may-care Australian, becomes owner of the property, and his search for the missing sovereigns as against the machinations of an unscrupulous gang, who are also after the hidden hoard, provides material for an almost breathless succession of exciting happenings. A thrilling and amusing yarn.

“The Ten Green Brothers,” by Angus MacVicar (Stanley Paul, London; Whitcombe & Tombs Ltd., New Zealand agents), lives up to its intriguing title. A Glasgow journalist, who has more beef than brains, albeit a likeable fellow, finds a green badge and promptly places it in the lapel of his coat. Almost immediately he is carried into a spate of incredible adventures. The green brothers are plotting to bring about a revolution in England with the object of ultimate Nazi control. How the two leading characters, the Glasgow journalist and the appealing Helen MacRae, outwit the plotters is told in manner most engrossing.

“Trent's Own Case,” by E. C. Bentley and H. Warner Allen (Constables, London; Whitcombe and Tombs, New Zealand Agents) is a detective story that is bound to create great interest. “Trent's Last Cast” is, of course, a detective yarn deservedly famous. The late G.K.C. once paid the book a great compliment. Were he alive to-day he might place this new Trent book alongside the other on his library shelves. I am diffident about even discussing the plot of a good detective yarn. There is the danger of spoiling it for the reader. Don't miss this revival of a great figure in detective fiction.

“The Bridle Track,” by J. J. Hardie (Angus and Robertson, Sydney) should interest every type of reader. For those who revel in the faithful picture of the great outdoors of Australia of many years ago, there is interest of a particularly appealing and stirring kind. Those who love a good gripping novel will find romantic figures moving now in the centre and now in the background of the main theme. Chief among these is Lancelot, otherwise called Bill, the hero of a fine story. The author, who knows the Australian bush as well as anybody, has written an outstanding book—one I can recommend.