6 MARCH 1982, Page 20

The case of the missing son

Sir: Your reviewer Harriet Waugh ought at least to read the books which she damns with faint praise (27 February). Ngaio Marsh's detective Roderick Alleyn has in son Ricky, who plays a leading part n Spinsters in Jeopardy and Last Ditch and is mentioned in several of her other books. books.

Helga O'Connell

Cauchemar, Drove Lane, Aires f ord , Hampshire