30 JULY 1977, Page 17

Mrs Maybrick

Sir: In his excellent review of The Poisoned Life of Mrs Maybrick (16 July) Mr Patrick Cosgrave comments: `the book is topped off with a skilful study of the consequences of the Maybrick case for English law.' The authorship of the book, published by us, is attributed to 'Bernard Ryan with Sir Michael Havers, QC, MP'. Unfortunately, no doubt by sheer accident, neither at the head of the review nor in its text does the name of the latter, a former SolicitorGeneral and now the Shadow AttorneyGeneral, appear. The 'skilful study' is entirely by him, and Mrs Maybrick's trial and all legal matters in the body of the book received his collaboration. William Kimber

William Kimber & Co. Ltd., Godolphin House, 22a Queen Anne's Gate, London SW1