4 JULY 1925, Page 34

The Toy Maker. By Sophie Cole. (Mills and Boon. 7s.

6d. net.)—Miss Sophie Cole has the art of making lower middle-class life in London interesting, and there is an un- accountable fascination in her story of two women who keep a toyshop, and the mysterious Stranger who comes to sell them toys carved with real inspiration. Matters become perhaps a little.too strong when the Stranger turns out to be a universal genius, and not only produces the great play of the century, but creates a furore in London by his performance as the hero. In spite of the redundance of this gentleman's accomplishments the book is pleasant reading, and the pictures of life in Chelsea are admirably drawn.