If Peter Dickinson's "The Sinful Stones" … had been a first novel, I would have praised it as a rewarding debut of unusual character; but inasmuch as Mr. Dickinson's previous two crime novels (especially the second, "The Old English Peep Show") have disclosed the awesome range of his creativity, my enthusiasm for "Stones" is somewhat muted. It is uncommon of milieu and well peopled, but less than compelling of plot. (p. 41)

Allen J. Hubin, in The New York Times Book Review (© 1970 by The New York Times Company; reprinted by permission), July 12, 1970.