14 MARCH 1958, Page 25

Death Against the Clock. By Anthony Gilbert. (Collins, 10s. 6d.)

Mr. Crook, a shady lawyer, is just in time with his proof that it was not the young spiv under sentence of death who had done in the old lady : he has to move fast to see that justice is done. Mr. Crook, in his bright brown suit; Dinah, with her jeans and pony-tail; and prickly, work-shy; flash young Lennie are all very plausible people: this is one of Anthony Gilbert's best, briskest and most believable.