1 NOVEMBER 1957, Page 25

Maiden's Prayer. By Joan Fleming. (Collins, 10s. 6d.) Middle-aged Hampstead

spinster is taken for a sucker by smooth-tongued spiv in a most pleasing and probable tale that is completely non-violent and yet continuously exciting. Miss Fleming goes on getting better at these quite likely goings-on set against quite verisimilitu- dinous London backgrounds.