THE BLACK SPANIEL MYSTERY

Betty Cavanna is a bit out of her element except when she is writing about dogs, though she has shown some degree of ingenuity in building a mystery around two youngsters, Judy and Jeff, whose keenness foils the plottings of an ill-bred wealthy dog fancier determined to establish claim to two cocker pups that an aristocratic breeder of prize dogs is sure are her own. The characterizations are none too sound, either of adults or children -- the story is marred by false values. But the beguiling cockers on the jacket will lure customers.