Rachel and Her Relations. By U. L. Silberrad. (Hutchinson. 8s.
6d. net.)—An interesting story. Rachel, the heroine, fallen on evil days, sets out to retrieve her fortunes by engaging herself as companion under an assumed name to some elderly relations, -who believed her to be dead. The way in which she eventually established her claim to relationship, and incidentally to a considerable fortune, must not appear here or a good story would be spoiled. Suffice it to say that if Rachel herself is Tether too good to be true—too straight entirely to appeal to a crooked generation—Miss Silberrad's habitual restraint and unemotional habit of mind in writing must be accounted partly responsible for this result. The two old Miss Sharrows and their bachelor brother are admirably conceived, and the atmo- sphere of Thoring House is generally very convincing.
READABLE Novms.—Threads. By Frank Stayton. (Thornton Butterworth. 8s. net.)—This novel is a variation of the theme which has been much discussed this summer, and which finds its fullest expression in A Bill of Divorcement. In the present case, the return of the husband is from Portland, -where he has been unjustly imprisoned for fifteen years, and no question of divorce arises on the part of his wife. The development of the psychology, though much insisted on by the author, is not altogether convincing. The book was the foundation of the author's play.—Blinkers. By 'Horace Annesley Vachell. (Cassell. 8s. net.)—The story of a rather weak-minded young man who falls in love with a girl who, to save her father financially, accepts a situation as a -parlourmaid. The book is described by the author as " A Romance of the Preconceived Idea "—probably because none of the characters appear to be able to see an inch beyond their own noses. It is easy reading, and many of the scenes are very entertaining.— The _Man on the Other Side. By Ada Barnett. (George Allen and Unwin. 7s. 6d. net.)—A spiritualistic story in which the most effective character is the dead owner of the farm in which the events take place. Readers of Mrs. Holmes, Commandant, will be glad to find that that distinguished lady is. as active as ever. —.Mrs. Brown's Pearls. By Arthur Crabb. (Page. 3s. 6d. net.)—The finding of the pearls which Mrs. Brown has lost occurs at the beginning at Alm book, .so that wa then have to be told how they
got into their hiding-place. The story is American, and Samuel Lyle is the detective who in the end makes all things clear. Getting Rid of Anne. By Thomas Cobb. (Nash. 7s. 6d. net.)—Mr. Thomas Cobb is a master in.producing the type of fiction which is associated with a hammock in the summer— that is, the type which calls upon its readers for no mental exertion. The present book is a good example.
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