Books: Murder in August

Better mysteries of the month:

THE READER Is WARNED—Carter Dickson—Morrow ($2). Inspector Masters, faced by two murders in an English country house, with no indications of the cause of death, turns to Sir Henry Merrivale again. A mind reader complicates the case by confessing crimes and challenging the law to convict him without scientific proof. Astute, baffling.

DEATH IN THE HOUSE—Anfhony Berkeley—Crime Club ($2). Two members of the British Cabinet are poisoned under the eyes of the House of Commons while introducing a bill for India. Absorbing, well written and a little stiff in its British joints.

CASUAL SLAUGHTERS—Virginia Hanson —Crime Club ($2). Kay Cornish and Major Adam Drew who collabored in Death Walks the Post, uncover an old mystery when they investigate two murders at Fort Michigan. Authentic army-post background, bright dialogue.

COLD STEAL—Alice Tilton—Norton ($2). Leonidas Witherall’s new house near Boston is perfect except for a corpse in the garage. Not so mysterious but light-hearted and amusing.