It's a crime
MAURICE PRIOR
Miss Holly Roth's Button, Button (Hamish Hamilton, 18s) leads 'a good clutch of crime novels. To New York to investigate a bomb explosion in an aircraft comes a tall et from Oklahoma and meets far more opposition than he anticipated. Much credible plotting with intelligent deduction. Stylish, easy .to assimilate and a commendable read. Helen by E. V. Cun- ningham (Deutsch, 21s). A mysterious, highly charged promiscuous beauty kills a corrupt judge, admits it, but says nothing. Her lawyer is at a loss how to conduct her defence by reason of her schizophrenically-inclined per- sonality. Penetrating, suspenseful, and a rather pitiable ending characterises this well-written, distinctive book.
Death at St Asprey's by Leo Bruce (W. H. Allen, 18s). An unpopular master at a prep school in Gloucestershire is murdered and Carolus Deene, ace schoolmaster/detective, is called in to solve the crime and other nasty happenings at the school. Writing fluent, with pertinent atmosphere, sound and rational reasoning. A very sharp, engaging story. In a Deadly Vein by Maurice Culpan (Crime Club, 16s). Maurice Cuplan is a talented author. In this fine whodunit-cum-thriller a veterinary surgeon is murdered. A doughty, determined detective uncovers much more than murder, narrowly missing death in the process. Very complex but ingenious plot. Action-packed, this moved along resolutely and with aplomb. The DNA Business by Henry Calvin (Hut- chinson, 18s). A young agent investigates a possible hereditary-processes leak at a northern university. Among others, the lovely daughter of a scientist is suspected, but all's well that ends well. A spy-comedy in a knockabout vein exemplifying Henry Calvin's singular, likeable serio-comic style.
Maigret and the Headless Corpse by George Simenon (Hamish Hamilton, 18s). Typical vintage Simenon. A headless corpse is fished out of a Seine canal. A tough assignment for Maigret, but Simenon with usual thoroughness of plot construction and colour satisfactorily concludes an excellent Maigret case without resorting to twists or last-page revelations. Miscarriage of Murder by J. F. Straker (Harrap, 18s). A body is found in London and transported to Belgium where it becomes a case of mis-identification. This situation sparks off much fervour and hoo-ha. A little involved and overloaded but the tempo is well main- tamed. Solid and purposeful and a lucky thir- teenth for Mr Straker. No More Murders by Maria Lang (Hodder and Stoughton, 18s). An Egyptologist's daughter and her husband on holiday in Sweden have a disturbed vacation as a young man is found murdered via the Egyptologist's paper-knife. Maria Lang plunges straight into her crime scheme and the result is an engrossing, perceptive and uncluttered story, obviously constructed with calculated care.
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