21 NOVEMBER 1958, Page 68

Ordeal by Innocence. By Agatha Christie. (Collins, 12s. 6d.) There

she sits, bless her; spinning her web, untroubled by any need for plausibility or prose style, aware that to thousands of ladies of her own age hers is the only name that comes to mind in the crime section of the seaside circulating library. A dashing bad hat, convicted of murder, dies in gaol-and then his alibi is proved. Who sold the fascinating Jacko down the river-and who was foolish enough to introduce to Miss Christie amnesia's artful aid?

CHRISTOPHER PYM