12 JUNE 1959, Page 36

Ann of the Law. By Michael Underwood. (Hammond, 12s. 6d.)

Diamond robbery and a couple of murders involve some paper-thin characters who are whisked from London to

Trinidad. All very improbable, but Michael Underwood can keep a story going, and knows enough about the law to be as ingeniously read- able as Henry Cecil, if only he would put his mind to it. Another unlikely tale, redeemed by much more distinguished writing, is S. B. Hough's Bronze Perseus (Secker and Warburg, 13s. 6d.), in which a released prisoner gets his own back by marriage and murder on the woman who had falsely accused him of rape. Psychological over- tones, provincial atmosphere, sage detective- sergeant, all very well done.