1 MARCH 1957, Page 25

Robbery with Violence. By John Rhode. (Bles, 12s. 6d.) The

style is not only pedestrian, but flat-footed : it somehow suits this story of theft from a provincial bank and murder in a pro- vincial town. Superintendent Waghorn has to ask Dr. Priestley's advice as usual and, as usual, it is copiously given. Mr. Rhode must be able to write this sort of thing in his sleep, by now it can almost be read that way.