It ought to surprise no veteran reader of spy stories that in Helen MacInnes's latest book ["The Double Image"] American, British and French counterintelligence (assisted by the Greeks) is still struggling valiantly against the machinations of a resourceful, far-flung Soviet espionage apparatus. For a while the numerous knock-out blows, abductions and murders are even-handed, but in the end the Allied agents prove their mettle and track down their prey. Yet another victory is chalked up for the Free World.

In other words, in "Double Image" Miss MacInnes has stuck close to the tried-and-true formula she so successfully exploited in "The Venetian Affair." (p. 4)

As is usual with thrillers by Miss MacInnes, this story is told with a cast of characters so large it is sometimes difficult to remember just who is who and on what side. The Russian agents are apparent newcomers to Miss MacInnes's novels, but some...