An American Widow. By Albert KevilI-Davies. 3 vole. (Trischler and
Co.)—Mr. Kevill-Davies, whose name is new to us, has produced a very clever combination of the society and sensa- tional novel. The plot of An American Widow is decidedly in- genious, much of the machinery is fresh, and though there are, of course, the improbabilities which belong to all stories of this kind, they are so skilfully minimised and kept in the background, that they do not obtrude themselves on the notice of the reader. Mrs. Leonard, the beautiful American adventuress who is " wanted " for murder in her own country, who is introduced into London society, for a handsome " consideration," by an impecunious lady of title, and who continues in this country her career of villainy, is one of the most ably conceived feminine criminals who have appeared in the literature of fiction since the days of Miss Gwilt ; and though the companionship of ladies of this class is not particularly edifying, An American Widow is a story which is perfectly devoid of offence. In addition to its exciting plot, the book has some very fair character-portraiture, and is altogether a most readable novel.
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