[Jessamyn West's humor, tenderness, and gentle irony] are the hallmark of her work. For the multitude who prefer drama, suspense, and love drenched in moonlight and roses Miss West's stories may seem merely bewildering, or perhaps too poignant, for she does not deal in happy endings or one-dimensional minds. It is difficult to describe her elusive talent without a multitude of adjectives; perhaps it is sufficient to say that she is elusive, amusing, and charming, and that she has a peculiar genius for titles….

"Love, Death, and the Ladies' Drill Team" … is one of the most entertaining collections to appear in recent months….

In this volume there is no bitterness or hatred, but there is a wealth of tenderness and affection. Miss West is a master of the short story; her writings seem never to be redundant or too short or too long, and her characters, however briefly...