Books: Murder in August

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Θ THE HIGH WINDOW — Raymond Chandler—Knopf ($2). Tough but intelligent Private Detective Marlowe, hired to trace a valuable coin missing from a California collection, stays to solve murders, past & present, in a wealthy and belligerent clan. Excellent writing, fantastic characters and shrewd detecting place it among the best.

Θ HER HEART IN HER THROAT — Ethel Lina White —Harper ($2). The dark secret of a long-vacant house in an English town terrorized by a homicidal maniac who plays hob with the nerves of a pretty young governess. She barely escapes death in leading police to the solution of a super-spooky yarn. The author of The Wheel Spins (filmed as The Lady Vanishes) turns in another master thriller.

Θ PHANTOM LADY— William Irish—Lippincott ($2). While a convicted murderer watches the minutes tick away in the death house, his best friend, sweetheart, and a detective conduct a death-studded search for a shadowy lady who holds the life-saving alibi. An exciting chase with a stunning climax.

Θ PASSING STRANGER—Richard Sale—Simon & Schuster ($2). A surgically garbed intruder goes gunning (successfully) for a Hollywood obstetrician in a hospital delivery room. Another obstetrician and a little detective named Daniel Webster follow a priceless lot of suspects from California to Manhattan, with more casualties and an unethical but astounding conclusion. Full of surprises, slick dialogue, strange people.