This substantial volume cloaks the identity of its probable author, Richard Manton, in an anonymity that is difficult to maintain now in the face of republication of most of the contents under other titles, mostly explicit in their authorship. It might be thought reprehensible to keep re-issuing work until different covers, without indication of provenance, but at least the practice is in keeping with similar Victorian shenanigans! But be warned. This is a collection of fragments, short stories. Some of these I did not recognise and may therefore be their only publishing. Chastisement in erotic stories appears in two forms, one in which M/F chastisement is a preliminary to more overt amatory practices, and the other in which it is an end in itself. Manton’s stories are almost all in the second camp. The book in general has a ‘Victorian discipline’ air to it. Reformatories, finishing schools and harems figure prominently, and the Victorian disciplinarian James Miles has been an important inspiration. Some of the pieces are commentaries triggered by modern news stories, and these usually lead to far-reaching flights of fancy. If you like ‘unconsummated’ chastisements this is for you, but it you already have books describing Miss Jolly, Elaine Cox and Noreen you may suffer some disappointment. ( )