The Silver Peril

 The Silver Peril (1931) by Maryse Rutledge

Britton (apt name, that) of the British Secret Service takes on evil mad scientist bent on destroying the civilized world.

My reviewer's work is done. Short and to the point. What's that? You want more? Are you sure? Well, okay...here's what we have from the dustjacket: No one knew where Torad, the mad pilot, would strike next, but it was up to Britton of Scotland Yard [though he's explicitly identified as a "secret agent"] to stop him.

The Silver Peril, a glistening gray helicopter, rose and descended vertically like a hummingbird with its pilot fantastically garbed in silvery coat and helmet. It showered destruction on the streets of Bucharest, killing and maiming hundreds.

the As de Couer, a dingy cafe on the the Rue des Vertus in the blackest part of the Montmartre, headquarters for le Rouge's Apache gang--knife men--supplied Britton with his first clue. A moment later he found himself allied with those from whom he had most to fear, battling for his life in a fierce struggle against ruthless Apaches.

A story of mystery and intrigue; of love and adventure; of the activities of Scotland Yard, and Torad, the wizard of science who, wreaking vengeance for personal sufferings, discovers himself vulnerable to the charms of an American Girl.

So...Britton is asked by his chief to discover where Monsieur Michel (a person of interest) is getting his money. Coincidentally while dining with his girl (or, rather the young woman he has hopes of being his girl), he spots Michel with another person of interest, de Raskoff (an infamous scientist). The Service has yet to prove anything against either one of them. And it's Britton's job to try and rectify that. His assignment will test himself and the girl he cares for to the limit.

According to the same dustjacket this is "Maryse Rutledge at her best!" Hmmm. If this is her best, I'm not sure I want to see what else she did. It's supposed to be a "story of gripping adventure and mystery in the air," but, I'm afraid, I wasn't gripped at all. It was a quite standard, evil-madman-wants-to-destroy-civilization-because-reasons story. Britton is a fairly likeable chap, but I have to say that I don't care much for Jane, he hoped-to-be girlfriend. I mean, here they are at dinner and she realizes that the two men across the way are of interest to Britton (professionally) and she practically shouts in the restaurant how exciting it all is and, wow it's not everyday I'm with a secret agent! 

***************SPOILER!! I'm not recommending this book, but if you do happen across it and decide to give it a look then you might not want to read further....

So....at the end of the book she supposedly is all in for Britton. And, apparently, cared for him all along. As Nero Wolfe would say, "Pfui." She certainly doesn't act like it. She treats him appallingly throughout the early chapters. She nearly reveals who he is to the bad guys. And then falls under "Torad's" spell. Even at the end after she's supposedly let him know how she really feels with a look (while under Torad's watchful eye), she still comments to Britton (as noted in the last line below), "But--he was rather grand, you know--" If I'm Britton (and thank goodness, I'm not), I'm not trusting Jane an inch. What happens when the next "rather grand," mesmerizing bad guy saunters along?

I like Britton (except for his fascination with Jane) and he might make a good investigator in a case that focused on him and left out the love interest. So, all stars for him. ★★

First line: You know everyone in London.

Last line: "But--he was rather grand, you know--" 
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Deaths (named--hundreds unnamed): 3 (one fell from height; two blown up)