4 OCTOBER 1957, Page 46

The Contessa Came Too. By John Bryan. (Faber, 13s. 6d.)

The high-born of both sexes and most of the NATO nationalities romp around the Riviera di Ponente in their high-powered cars; and Canadian Colonel Sarel, whose second adventure this is, respectfully notes the colour of the Hanover Square suits, the pattern of the Place Vendome scarves, and the cut of the St. James's Street shoes, even as the blows are exchanged. The course is too long for the pace to be kept up, especially as there has to be a time allowance for genuflections to the gentry and their haberdashers. BLit there is an affection for Italy and the Italians, and the contessa—a contemporary condottiera —is a good invention, who pops up all too seldom.