Business: June Mysteries

• Share

Of the twelve detective stories in the June crop, the following stood out as best bets:

OVERTURE TO DEATH—Ngaio Marsh—Furman ($2). Bizarre murder of a malevolent spinster, in full view of an English church-social audience, neatly solved, by Scotland Yard's Inspector Alleyn. A well-knit baffler, with colorful characterizations.

CANCELLED IN RED—Hugh Penfecost —Dodd, Mead ($2). The shooting of a racketeering stamp broker solved by another dealer, dapper Larry Storm, and by soft-voiced Inspector Bradley of the Manhattan force. Ably-plotted, humorous, backed with authoritative philatelic glue.

NO HANDS ON THE CLOCK—Geoffrey Homes—Morrow ($2). Milk-drinking Humphrey Campbell, called in to find the missing son of a Reno millionaire, solves three murders, puts the finger on a gang of bank robbers. Fast, hardboiled, sparky dialogue.

THE SINGAPORE EXILE MURDERS—Van Wyck Mason—Crime Club ($2). In Singapore to grab a steel formula wanted by several countries, Hugh North of the U. S. Army Intelligence steps into a murderous international mess. Excitement and exotic ladies.

THE REGATTA MYSTERY—Agatha Christie—Dodd, Mead ($2). Nine short stories, with Hercule Poirot starring in some, Mr. Parker Pyne in others. Ingenious and slight. (Some have appeared in magazines.)