18 OCTOBER 1930, Page 42

THE TICKER TAPE MURDER. By Milton Propper. (Faber and Faber.

7s. 6d.)—In this American mystery story the Americans do not behave in such a caricature of the American manner as usual. The millionaire who is murdered is quite believable, the detective human and unforechil, the man with the arms like a gorilla is not the murderer, and the villain is the hero. Perhaps the only defect of the book is the stale trick by which a real criminal is only introduced at the last moment, but the clearing of one suspect after another is so ingeniously accomplished that the interest is maintained. lie. Propper does not disdain to be thrilled by fast driving in motors, a running fight, or even the lack of sophistication of the heroine, and this makes him extremely good company.