Crooks in the Sunshine

296 pp. Mystery set in the Riviera, told in ten interconnected vignettes. "The scene of this sparkling series of ten connected episodes is the Riviera - Juan-les-Pins and Cap d'Antibes which, though less spectacular than Monte Cristo, uncover under Mr. Oppenheim's inventine pen enough excitement and crime to satisfy the most exacting sensation seeker. Moving in and out of the stories with his hand in nearly 'every pie' is the genial figure of Commodore Jasen, tenant of Lord Wyndham's chateau, whose mark occasionally slips to show the features of Sam Lebworthy, crook and killer. Never far away is Caroline Lloyd, lovely and somewhat aloof - an American girl whose past would not bear too close inspection but who balances cleverly on the chalk line which divides sharp dealing from crime, and whose aim in life is to outwit Jasen. It was on the Commodore's aquaplane that Caroline's brother was riding when he fell into the water apparently to swim ashore. He was never seen again - strange, because he was a good swimmer. It remained a mystery to everyone except Caroline."