22 NOVEMBER 1957, Page 62

The Shadow of Time. By Christopher Landon. (Heinemann, 13s. 6d.)

A child is kidnapped and must first be sought, in the alleys of Rye and the valley of the Loire, and then rescued. The hack- neyed theme is made fresh, moving and exciting, without the aid of bloodshed, by an impeccable sense of timing and style.