25 JULY 1925, Page 47

Children of the Night. By W. B. Maxwell. (Thornton Butterworth.

7s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Maxwell's collection of short stories is like bifteck saignant—excellent food for the strong stomached, but nauseatmg to the fastidious appetite. Two stories compete for the honour of being the most horrifying- " The Second Visit," which concerns the brutal murder of an old lady who has just entertained her murderers to an idyllic meal, and " The Cottage," in which the heroine narrowly escapes from assault by a mental defective. There is, very little relief to be found in this sombre volume, but Mr. Max- ivell's writing is forcible, and it is to be feared that the stories are true to the side of life with which he deals.