Books: Drawling Detective

THE GREENE MURDER CASE—S. S. Van Dine—Scribners ($2). In a queer old mansion at 53rd Street and the East River, Manhattan, murder was as plentiful as dust under the bed. First, Julia, eldest Greene daughter, was shot in the heart in her bedroom with the lights turned on. Then, Ada, youngest and adopted Greene daughter, was shot in the back, but did not die. Then, Chester Greene was killed; then— but that would spoil the story. Anyway, all the Greenes hated each other like poison; they were forced to live together in the old...