Books: Murder in January, Feb. 7, 1944

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¶ DEATH STOPS THE FROLIC—George Bellairs—Macmillan ($2). As exuberant Alderman Harbuttle led a gay crocodile of English "follow-my-leader" through the aisles of a dusky church, he was suddenly and expertly sliced with an ordinary bread knife. Subsequent events and beautiful sleuthing put the story at the top of any list.

¶ SAILOR, TAKE WARNING—Kelley Roos —Dodd, Mead & Co. ($2). The middle-aged yacht enthusiast was stabbed in broad daylight on a knoll overlooking a Central Park lake, in full view of Jeff Troy and his wife, who trail an exceptionally well-concealed killer through exciting, amusing situations. Good detecting, pleasant people and good fun.

¶ MURDER SOLVES A PROBLEM—Marion Bramhall—Crime Club ($2). The murders of an unhappily mated pair in a New England college town are solved by a young professor and his fiancée, both suspected by the police. A lively affair with ample emotional punch.

¶ MR. BOWLING BUYS A NEWSPAPER—Donald Henderson—Random House ($2). Mr. William Bowling is a slightly down-at-heel English "gentleman" who kills and kills and kills and never quite gets caught. Vivid, bizarre, well written and, except for a final sop to the angels, an engrossing exercise in amorality.