Eric Van Lustbader – The Bourne Objective (Orion, £7.99) ****

Jason Bourne is troubled by the murder of a woman in the Far East who entrusts him with a ring before she dies in his arms. Realising people would kill for it, he becomes obsessed in finding the ring’s owner. He goes through conspiraces and intrigue to Leonid Arkadin, a member of the same CIA Treadstone programme. Both men are equally skilled and equally cunning. But, as they close in on each other, their showdown is ruled by someone master-minding their meeting. A thriller with ruthless killings deptly described. Bourne fans will enjoy it immensely. Exciting reading throughout.

Ronnie Whitehead, 78, retired, Crossflatts

Kenneth Cameron – The Second Woman (Orion, £7.99) *

London,1903, a woman’s body is found in the back yard of Denton’s house, clad only in underwear, her dress is hanging up in his spare bedroom. He has no idea who she is or how she got there. Denton, an American novelist living in the UK, tries to find out who she is, against the wishes of the police. He is surprised to discover the recently-founded Special Branch are very much involved and are as crooked as the villians they seek. I had no idea what was going on and I think the author lost his way, too.This has to be one of the most boring books I have ever read.

Betty Williams, 81, retired, Bradford