28 SEPTEMBER 1929, Page 26

POISON IN THE GARDEN SUBURB. By G. D. H. and

M. Cole. (Collins. 7s. 6d.)—Mr. and Mrs. Cole's new detective story is disappointing. A' bewildering ritimlier of characters appear in it, and we feel that so many of them are suspicious that the reader's attempts at detection are futile. This is not flattering, and surely the appeal of detective stories is that the reader hopes to flatter himself by solving the problem before him. There is good material in this -book— but too much of it. Perhaps this is due to the serial form in which Poison in the Garden Suburb first appeared. The general reader, who does not consider himself an expert in this kind of story, will no doubt enjoy immensely Mr. and Mrs. Cole's upheaval in the garden suburb.