The cover material indicates that this book is anonymously authored, but it seems to be written by Richard Manton, the prolific author of a particular style of erotic literature which has a strong theme of flagellation, mostly involving the whipping, birching and caning of restrained nubile young women. It's a distinctive style that will be recognised by anyone who has read to any depth in this select genre, as it involves a recurrent group of female subjects/victims: including Lesley Hollingsworth, Jane Mitchener and Noreen. The story here is set in a remote prison, equipped with extensive corporal punishment facilities. Unfortunately, the adopted style has a stronger than usual tendency to repetition, and Captive IV succumbs immediately to this, as well as involving crueller chastisements than usual, bordering on the sadistic and including branding. Manton's style is accomplished, and devotees will find this well up to the accepted standard, but those seeking a variety of scenarios and characters may well be disappointed. ( )