12 SEPTEMBER 1957, Page 27

Miss Fenny. By Charity Blackstock. (Hodder and Stoughton, 12s. 6d.)

If you can believe that any Frenchwoman—even one anglicised by marriage and residence—knows nothing about tripe and anything about sherry, then here is an admirably credible, admirably consistent story of how murder brings moment of truth to English village, described in terms of our own time : it is master at grammar school, not squire at manor, who is in love with improbable Frenchwoman. This excellent, newish author is reasonably un- sloppy about bedridden small boy who carries much of plot; is understanding about murderer and his mind; and writes unusually well by any