ANOTHER "WHODUNIT"

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 45, 17 May 1935, Page 22

ANOTHER "WHODUNIT"

"Death Follows a Formula" Is Latest Thriller NE expects too much who looks now- ' ‘adays for a new plot in a detec: | tive story. There are those writers who give the old story a new twist, who introduce eccentric characters, a multiplicity of possible villains, or a novel locale for the action of the story. In many of these points Newton Gayle succeeds in "putting it across’? in his latest book, "Death Follows a Formula." The story tells of an American inyentor who is murdered while on -.a lighter landing in England from U.S.A. On the trip across we have been introduced to more than half-a-dozen characters to whom the formula would be o£ inestimable value. So the romantic character of Jimmy Greer crops up and leads uS a metry dance around London and into the country, getting things so astonishingly involved that excitement is- continuously sustained right. last page, when we are told. who the murderer is, A rare feature About the book is that about: three-quarters’ of the way through, the author indicates that the first three chapters of the book hold the solution clearly. Naturally, the reader turns to the beginning, where, suze enough, the solution is-or, rather, nearly so, for still there is a possibility between two men as to the guilty one. The development is undoubtedly clever, and the said Jimmy Greer ‘is responsible for many laughs with his bright dialogue and his faith in the "Society for Neglected Positives,’ the fun of which must be read to be understood. ‘Death Follows. a Formula" gives) us altogether deep mystery, abundance ef action andtight corners, | a touch of sensible romance, and humour which amply warms the coldness of the killings. ; "Death Follows a Formula,’ Newton Gale. Vietor Gollancz, Ltd. Our copy from the publishers.