THE GOLDEN BEAST. By E. Phillips Oppenheim. (Hodder and Stoughton.
7s. 6d. net.)—It is, of course, impossible for so prolific a writer as Mr. Phillips Oppenheim always to attain his highest standard, and it must be confessed that The Golden Beast is not among his best efforts. The frame of the story is well conceived, and many members of the Jewish family of Fernham are excellently realized ; but not only is the mystery of the book itself intrinsically incredible, but its elucidation by the oblique method makes it impossible for the reader to find out what Mr. Oppenheim is driving at, except incidentally. The book must be read with most painstaking and minute attention if the clue is to be grasped, and in any novel which may legitimately be classed as a "thriller" the necessity for the effort makes too great a demand.
Previous page
