It's a Crime
May You Die in Ireland. By Michael Kenyon' (Crime Club, 16s.) This is a 'natural' for the star of the month. Its quiet offbeat humour is never forced, as Willie Foley, the somewhat pudgy new American owner of an Irish castle, decide to 'play it by ear'—`an expression which he had read and liked without quite understanding• what it meant'—when he becomes involved in some very peculiar goings-on in Old Ireland. Willie, is a gem and his hair-raising car race in arid out and around the streets of Cork is wonder' fully funny. A splendid first book. Is There Traitor in the House? By Patricia McGert. (Crime Club, 15s.) Was Congressman JelfreY Stone a traitor? Selena Mead, a top-secret security branch member, though more and more attracted to the Congressman, uses herself as bait to, uncover a spy ring working in Washing' ton. Recommended. Assignment Tahiti. By Alan Gardner. (Muller, 18s.) History was made when e British foreign correspondent got what he called 'a dream assignment' which took him to Tahiti and the strange jagged island of Moorea, for he helped to prevent a planned nuclear war and re' ceived the French Republic's' grateful thanks. Has pace and excitement. Gideon's Lot. By J. J• MarriC. (Hodder and Stoughton, 16s.) As a WI' come change from spies/cold war/nuc,lear war, we turn to good old dependable Scotland yard. After the QE docked, Gideon of the Yard-" fine character, tough but sympathetic---had his hands full, for the passengers included a kid' napper, a sex maniac, a smuggler . . . but the Yard's infinite patience and thoroughness paid off. Excellent.
Friday the Rabbi Slept Late. By Hard Kemelman. (Hutchinson, 18s.) At Barnard's Crossing the Rabbi's congregation were against renewing his contract, but they soon found this quiet young man curiously talented in solving the problems they brought to him—even when it came to murder. More of Rabbi Small, please. The Chinese Visitor. By James Eastwood' (Cassell, 18s.) Thriller writers are very Pre' occupied these days with cold/hot wars and the Yellow Peril. Here agent and counter-agent manoeuvre for position, eliminating one another as chance occurs, but a new and exciting recruit, Anna Zordan, holds her own and scores he most important coup in China's 'listening base, remote Albania. Chance to Die. By Lionel Black. (Cassell, 16s.) A change in locale here, for the, background is Swaziland and Johannesburg, and a sealed envelope involves Bernard Pine, newly arrived, in rough action with saboteurs, the South African Police, and a final brush with a British agent. As usual, there is also a high-powered resourceful girl, who falls into bed at the droP of a hat—only this time her name is Emma. Running Deep. By Rhona Petrie. (Gotland, 16s.) An intricately plotted tale, in good style: can usually be expected from this author, and this one, with a Devon coast location, is no dis' appointment. One's wits are well engaged here.
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