Dark Street

Quayle lived, mentally, as far ahead as possible, mainly because the people who were dependent upon him lived from moment to moment, sometimes dying even more suddenly than that.

The sinister business of counter-espionage is played out by an array of magnificent characters. Quayle, spy master, is a blend of wisdom and administrative genius. He seemingly has the ability to live without sleep, wine or women; Shaun O''Mara, who loves all those things, looks like an actor and is an aristocrat, and works with subtlety, artistry and distinction; and there is Ricky Kerr, a cleverly drawn portrait of a man not quite able to stand the pace.

The women, of course, dress superbly, move like angels, are as beautiful as diamonds and, with one notable exception, behave abominably.

The Dark Street was originally published in 1944.

''If there are better thrillers it is hardly possible to think of them while under the spell of this one'' Times Literary Supplement

''A Peter Cheyney novel always tingles with life'' Daily Sketch