Book excerpt: "The River of Stars" is one of the "River" novels by Edgar Wallace, one of the most prolific British crime writers, the author of "King Kong," whose books were adapted to more than 160 movies. In the novel "The River of Stars," the author tells the story of the bad guys trying to steal an African diamond mine from its rightful owners. Other book characters are an undercover detective who follows the gang, and a charming beauty, whose presence gives the story a romantic hint.