[E. V. Cunningham's "The Case of the One-Penny Orange"] is the first of a series with a Nisei detective…. [An] investigation takes him into the world of rare stamps…. The trail leads back to World War II and the Gestapo, and there is plenty of excitement before Masuto wraps everything up.
Masuto is an interesting addition to the current crop of detectives. He is a very modern Oriental, generations removed from Charlie Chan (though he does murmur "Ah, so" at frequent intervals). Smart, intuitive, mixing well with his American colleagues, Masuto is a well-conceived character whose further exploits should gain him a wide audience.
Newgate Callendar, "Crime: 'The Case of the One-Penny Orange'," in The New York Times Book Review (© 1977 by The New York Times Company; reprinted by permission), October 30, 1977, p. 30.
This is a free excerpt of 135 words. There are 139 words (approx.
1 page at 300 words per page) in the full critical essay.
Read the rest of this Criticism with our Fast, Howard (Melvin) 1914–: Critical Essay by Newgate Callendar Access Pass.
