15 AUGUST 1958, Page 24

The Silent Siren. By Thomas Sterling. (Gol- lancz, 12s. 6d.)

The paths of a high-class American tart and a high-class Italian nobleman cross on the Neapolitan coast, and death marks the spot. The neat plot has a new twist, and the graphic scene-painting and excellent character-drawing are irresistible—save that one doubts whether a Mediterranean tide could sweep a body out to sea.