22 NOVEMBER 1957, Page 62

The Saracen Shadow. By Shane Martin. (Col- lins, 10s. 6d.)

The author creates an entirely new first growth of.the Medoc so as to stage a series of mediwvally melodramatic murders at the château (where they are unconscionably behind- hand in bottling their '49s). Full marks for local

colour; five out of ten for plot; next to nothing for winemanship and French genders.