THE BROKEN CIRCLE

There's something of the Richard Hannay flavor (John Buchan) -- though less mature and finished -- in this adventure yarn with an intellectualized twist to it. The patina of sophistication in the psychological problem presented -- the interdependence of two brothers, the conviction of resentment on the part of the younger brother for his elder brother's wife. Then, while his brother is dying, his facing of responsibility --challenged immediately by peculiar circumstances in the community in which his brother's home is situated. He undertakes the solving of the mystery -- and unearths a melodramatic plot and frame-up. In which a crook is using world tragedy to feather his own nest. The story ends on a sensational note. Good reading.