["The Scarlet Cord"] is the best biblical novel that Frank G. Slaughter has written to date. Based on the Book of Joshua, it abounds in action, adventure, romance and intrigue. As Dr. Slaughter's wide public knows, his story-telling strength lies more in movement than in depth. But he is agile in invention; given a climax, he can devise all manner of leaps and twists to produce it. The scarlet cord in the harlot's window and the flattened walls of Jericho provide happy spurs to his imagination. The sun stands still in accordance with Joshua's command, but all else is in motion—migratory, ceremonial, military, conspiratorial and amorous.

Dr. Slaughter might have called his romance the Book of Rahab, for it is the mysterious woman of Jericho who dominates the action. If ever you wondered about her origins, her motives for helping the Israelite spies, and her later relationships...