16 JANUARY 1932, Page 26

Detective Fiction -

BASTARD VERDICT. By Winifred Duke. (Jarrold. 7s. 6d.)--Village gossip points the finger of suspicion at • Mr. Fieldend as the probable murderer of his wife. He is tried for the crime, but acquitted on a technical point. The mystery is unconvincing, but the study of village character at times reaches the- point of brilliance.