On the Cards. By Mary Allen. (Jerrold and Sons.)—This is
a volume of "The Unknown Authors' Series." The idea does not seem a happy one. On the whole, known authors, as far as our pretty large experience has gone, are better than unknown. This story does not change our opinion. If Miss Allen can make one of her readers think twice before she marries an Egyptian Prince, or a japp, or a Mandarin, or a half-caste Indian, she will have done well ; but she has not written a good story.— Dead Man's Court, by Maurice M. Harvey (Arrowsmith, Bristol), belongs to another series with the practical title of the distinguishing price. It is of the Scotland Yard type,—villains, beautiful damsels of unknown parentage, detectives (professional and amateur), figure in it. A lively, readable book is the result. —Brenda, by A. S. Heawood (Digby and Long), a very harmless story, now awaking into something like interest, as when the scene is transferred to Paris during the Siege.—Tons Chester's Sweetheart, by Joseph Hatton (Hutchinson), an amusing trifle, in which the troubles of editing, and the obstacles in the course of true love, are cleverly combined to make a good story.
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