| + + | Acad. 68: 420. Ap. 15, ‘05. 200w. |
“The book has the exciting and the dramatic elements that will render it popular with a large class of readers who are less critical about the form, presentation and probability of a tale than they are about its absorbing interest.”
| + — | Arena. 34: 217. Ag. ‘05. 840w. | |
| — + | Ath. 1905, 1: 492. Ap. 15. 240w. |
“Not that there is anything extraordinary or remarkable or great or strong or wise or literary about it—it’s just a good story.”
| + | N. Y. Times. 10: 365. Je. 3, ‘05. 470w. | |
| + | N. Y. Times. 10: 392. Je. 17, ‘05. 140w. |
“The story is frank melodrama, but is readable in its own particular line.”
| + | Spec. 94: 754. My. 20, ‘05. 180w. |
Oppenheim, Edward Phillips. [Mysterious Mr. Sabin.] $1.50. Little.
Mr. Oppenheim’s former books, “A prince of sinners,” and “Anna, the adventuress,” as well as the present story, make an incognito personage the central figure. The mystery in each case is the sort to be dealt with non-professionally. The mysterious Mr. Sabin is an unscrupulous French royalist who aids the German government in a conspiracy of war against England. His part in the plot is that of securing valuable papers recording the coast defenses of England, for which services he demands Germany’s conquest of France, and the restoration of the monarchy in the person of Prince Henri and his cousin, Helene of Bourbon. The coveted papers are the guarded possession of an English admiral “partly crazed by the tragic destruction of the Victoria, but still so profoundly wise on naval matters and coast defenses that the spies of rival empires lay siege to a study in which he works at plans to save his country.” Princess Helene figures in a pretty romance which in spite of threatening intrigue keeps free from politics and diplomatic complications.
“It is one of the most clever mystery tales of recent years, abounding in highly dramatic situations, with a strong and well-sustained love interest. In the present story there are many situations and happenings that are highly improbable, and in some instances practically impossible. Barring this grave fault, however, the story is almost all that the lover of romantic fiction could desire.”