Recent Book: “Ghost of a Chance”
| Date | 01 October 1982 |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258X8205500431 |
| Published date | 01 October 1982 |
| Subject Matter | Recent Book |
drawings and responses on self defence
and other matters. This compromise
does not, in my opinion, produce a
compatible mix and the publication
tends to fall between two stools.
In an item in the section on personal
protection; referring to the likely
consequences of. a girl in night attire
discovering a burglar in her flat, the
author offers the victim of likely
subsequent sexual advances retaliatory
advice in a most graphic manner. In
reality such action if resorted to is
unlikely to succeed and would most
probably result in the victim being
murdered or more seriously assaulted
than might otherwise haveoccurred. The
samesection does, however, contain some
sound advice in general terms on self
defence,
laying
great
stress
on
preparedness.
Each main chapter is concluded with a
check
list
questionnaire.
These
questionnaires provide useful reminders
to the reader on how to avoid becoming a
victim of crime or fireand for me are the
most valuable aspect of a mediocre
publication.
The front cover displays an eye
catching house/padlock drawing which
is likely to attract attention but I feelthat
the
content
is
not
sufficiently
professional to attract the discerning
reader who may be more likely to pursue
his search for a publication dealing with
the particular aspect of fire or crime
prevention which gives him cause for
concern. G. A. HARRIS
NELLA
JONES:
"Ghost
oj
a Chance"
London and Sydney: Pan Books. £1.50.
This was certainly not a book that I
would have selectedfrom the bookshelf,
having never seriously considered
psychic phenomena in connexion with
criminal investigation and havinglittle or
no interest in the subject generally. I
should sayfrom the outset that I look for
logical answers to all problems, hence I
am sceptical of supernatural powers to
say the least.
However, Nella Jones describes the
development of her "powers" during her
early life, her gradual progression to
healing the sick and her involvement
more recently in assisting the police in
serious criminal inquiries. Her claims
which are authenticated to a great extent
by police and press are, at times, quite
staggering.
Despite
my
natural
scepticism I could not help but
be sufficiently impressed to consider the
implications (which are many) of the use
of such persons as aides to detection of
serious crime.
As a psychic the author has assisted in
such notable criminal investigations as
the Genette Tate and Lord Lucan
disappearances and more recently the
Yorkshire Ripper Murders. In this
instance she predicted two of the
murders, accurately described the
Ripper's facial features, his home town,
occupation and place of work.
A truly remarkable woman with
amazing powers, and yet, having read the
book, it is still extremely difficult to
comprehend her ability to receive
messages and visions. L.H.
CEllA
HAMPTON:
Criminal Procedure
London: Sweet and Maxwell.
Although this book is said to be a third so the book is well out of date at the
edition it is new to me and the first present time.
For
example, one of the
opportunity I have had of considering it. specimen indictments relates to the
It
is said to be intended for law students Forgery Act 1913, which was repealed in
but several law students to whom I have October, 1981. Furthermore, great
shown it had neither seenitnor heard of consternation was caused in 1981, by the
it. They seemed, however, impressed by Gateshead Justices and the Leeds
the 'content and the care which had Justices cases which dealt with the
obviously gone into it. One great practice in magistrates' courts in laying
disadvantage appears to be thatthe law is informations. The only reference in this
generally stated as at April I, 1981, but book to the Leeds Justices case is The
the date of publication is May 27, 1982. Times Report in a footnote. There has in
402 October 1982
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