20 JULY 1929, Page 40

LITTLE C1ESAR. By W. R. Burnett. (Cape. 7s. 6d.)— Mr.

Burnett is concerned with the " bohunks, " hijackers," " wops," " yaps," and other representatives of the Chicago underworld. Fortunately, for readers whose knowledge of American slang is limited, a glossary is provided. Even so the story, which describes the rise, fall, and final tragedy of the " boss " of a criminal gang, is somewhat tedious. Such strange things happen in Chicago that we may hesitate to pronounce the adventures overdrawn • but the narration of them too much resembles an amplified newspaper report. The best that can be said for the little Caesar of the title is that we come to have a slight affection for him, and are moved very mildly to sorrow when he is at length trapped by the " bulls."