7 NOVEMBER 1925, Page 44

The Valrose Mystery. By William Le Queux. (Ward, Lock. 7s.

6d. net.)----We are not among those who demand perfection of style in a potboiler ; but Mr. Le Queux is certainly exceptional in the number of cliches he uses. His heroine speaks enthusiastically of a small town' as " sweetly rural." She was quite an up-to-date girl. She -hoped he 'would not be very much shocked to learn that she smoked, but not excessively. One cigarette after lunch, perhaps a cOuple after dinner, satisfied her needs in this respect." Suck sentences make this rather ordinary murder story. a joy to read.