First Impressions

This week's First Impressions, the competition in which you have to identify a book from its opening sentence, comes from a novel that, in spite of its title, is far from Jamesian:

"'They made a silly mistake, though,' the professor of history said, and his smile, as Dixon watched, gradually sank beneath the surface of his features at the memory."

Entries should be submitted to First Impressions, The THES,Admiral House, 66-68 East Smithfield, London E1 9XY, faxed to 0171 782 3300 or emailed to theschat@thes.co.uk The winner receives a Pounds 20 book token and the closing date is September 16.The winner of last week's competition, who identified Irvine Walsh's Trainspotting, is J. Karezewski-Slowikowski of Manchester.