The Oxford Book of Spy Stories, edited by Michael Cox (OUP, £7,99 in UK)

A sound, slightly traditional. choice, ranging from Ambrose Bierce to Graham Greene. Baroness Orczy (she of Scarlet Pimpernel fame) is included, so are old favourites such as A.E.W. Mason (whose thrillers cry out for reprinting), William Le Queux, John, Buchan, Maugham. Two Irish writers are featured, Frank O'Connor (rather unexpected) and Lord Dunsany. In general, a Good Read, though some of the more recent choices seem unadventurous, and more latter-day Americans might have added a certain kick to it all.