SOME RECENT FICTION

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2953, 16 December 1916, Page 13

SOME RECENT FICTION

"The Affair on the Island." By H. B. Marriott Watson (Methuen and Co.). A rich fluid of excitement) is afforded in. Mr. Watson's latest novel, in which are set forth tho experiences of a couple of young Englishmen who are 111 charge of a rubber plantation on tho banks of the Upper Amazon. Some American tourists visit the plantation, and are kidnapped by a political adventurer from Peru, whose ambition is to create a. now republic in tho rubber region. The Englishmen succeed in rescuing tne American, and all then combine in defending tile plantation aganst the rascally Scapada and his gang of desperadoes. They are hard pressed for a time, but a wireless message for help reaches a British gunboat, and they are duly rescued. Mr. Watson is somewhat prodigal with his local colour, but the. leading characters, especially Scapada, are well drawn, and a pleasant sentimental interest is provdedi by a plucky young American lady and the resourceful Englishman, Ackroyd.

"The Rogues' Syndicate." By Frank Froest ; M.V.0., and George Dirnot (Eveleigh Nash; per Whitcombe and Tombs).

The first-named of the joint authors of this hghly-sensational and very readable "detective" story was for some years Superintendent of the Criminal Investigation Department, Scotland Yard, and is therefore well fit ted-to describe the ingenious methods employed in the criminal world, and the painstaking work of those whose official duty it is to outwit society's enemies.' "The Rogues' Syndicate," which gives tlio title to the-story, is' a gang of muchskilled and desperate international swindlers, tho leader of which, James Ling, is a man of great daring and resource. The 'story deals with tlio tracking down of the criminals, who have added murder to their usual-occupa-tion of forging and uttering bonds, by a chief detective, a shrewd old Scot named Menzies,. who has as his "Watson" a wealthy young American. The story goes with a good Swing from first to last of its pages, arid should prove most entertaining to those who like this class of fiction.

"Adam's Garden," 'by Nina Wilcox

Putnam (J. B. Lippincott Co.; per Whitcombe and Tombs). This is a well-written story, the liero of whichj Adam Van Vleck, suddenly finds himself almost penniless, having ran through a large fortune. Applying to his lawyer for the residue of his father's estate, he is informed that by a clause in the will the remainder of the property is to go to his cousin unless before his twenty-fifth birthday ho (Adam) had effected "some improvement in the family estate." As he is "stone broke," Adam is quite at a loss to see how ho can possibly comply with the conditions of the will, and goes away in despair. ■ Afterisome curious, experience in New York- slumdom he settles down ;on : a--vacant city lot, which has heon used as a storing place for "junk," otherwise dumber and rubbish of all descriptions,(and finally makes quite a decent living by raising choice flowers, to find eventually that he has, without knowing it, complied with the fateful provision in the will. Two women play important roles in the drama of the young man's redemption, and the story is ricn in its presentation of cccentrio types of humanity. Needless to say, being an American novel, the sentimental interest is specially •prominent, but many readers will not liko it any the Jess on that account.

"A Man's Reach," by Sally Nolson Robins (J. B. Lippincott Co.; perWhitconibe and Tombs).

Another American story, the subject of which is a young man's redemption. Tho hero, Randolph Turberville, is a brilliantly clever young Virginian lawyer, cursed with an inherited partiality for alcohol. After a brilliant university career, he starts practice and soon achieves a success which lie fritters away by vicious self-indulgence. Fortunately, however, ho loves and is loved by a very charming cousin, who devotes herself to the work of rescuing him from tho degradation into which ho falls. Suggestion plays a prominent part ill hor plan, the working out of which is described in considerable deLettioo is a very -delightful heroine, and at once secures arid retains the reader's interest. and sympathy.' The minor characters • are numerous, and drawn with moro care than is often tho case in American hovels. , A pleasant, wholesome, and readablo storfy tho Virginian setting of which is an agreeable change after tho all too common New York background.