Balkan Thriller

THE BRIGHT NEMESIS--John Gunther--Bobbs-Merrill ($2).

Hiding the glaring impossibilities of their plots behind the still more glaring unreality of their characters is a prerogative of mystery writers that constitutes many a mystery writer's entire stock-in-trade. A welcome exception is Author Gunther, who peoples his well-written murder story with characters recognizably alive. So lively are they, so picturesque is the Balkan political turmoil in which they agitate, that most readers will be more interested in their daily doings than in discovering which one of them murdered the two American boys. Just out of college, the boys were taking an innocent tramp through Europe, landed up by chance in Trapani, capital of Corisco. Things were buzzing in that queer town. Former Minister Karadagh, recently released from jail, was plotting to depose the sinister fat eunuch, Taabor Pasha, Corisco's highly oriental Prime Minister. French Financier Martignac was making negotiations concerning a loan. At a diplomatic tea given by Mrs. Early, Karadagh's English mistress, the boys met everybody, made friends everywhere. Mr. Jarvis, the capable U. S. minister, was especially friendly, lent them a legation car when they had to leave. In a mountain defile their car hit a hidden barricade, both boys were shot to death. The scandal was immense. Under U. S. pressure Taabor Pasha handed over the government to Karadagh. Attracted by the furor came Star Reporter Manfred B. Tate who was addicted to smoking a corncob pipe in hotel dining rooms, served no masters, feared no groups. Reporter Tate sailed right in, investigated along his own peculiar line. When he reached the end of that line he found a very peculiar hook, with a very peculiar catch, which caused two more men to die.

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.