Shortlisted for the 2006 Duncan Lawrie Dagger. Although not a thriller in the conventional sense, this book is tense and incredibly evocative. The textures and smells are so vividly described you become concerned that the person next to you on the bus may be experiencing the same sensations as you are. The book's central theme is loneliness in its many forms but rather than coming away feeling depressed, you are inspired by the tenacity and underlying strength of the perfectly formed and engaging characters.
Sarah Fortune inherited her flat from one of her many lovers. Now a son has appeared claiming it is his, morally if not strictly legally, and he is using illegal means to persuade Sarah to give it up: abusive letters threatening her personal harm. As it becomes more difficult to ignore these missives, Sarah comes across Henry, a timid, lonely man whose upstairs neighbour is using every trick in the racketeer landlord's book to make him leave his home: litter in the shared hallway, continual noise, poison set out for his cat. It seems that if they swap accommodation for a while they may be able to deal with each other's problems. But these two strangers have unknown connections in common: a well-meaning widow, a struggling therapist, and a man who sets fire to other people's property for a living …
'Strangely beguiling … Fyfield creates her own world which provides much pleasure' The Times
'Her knowledge of the workings of the human mind - or more correctly the soul - is second to none' Ian Rankin
'Undiluted brilliance' The Times
'The best female crime writer in this country' Sunday Express
Author
About Frances Fyfield
Frances Fyfield is a criminal lawyer, a trade she has used to huge success in many of her novels. She lives in London and in Deal, by the sea which is her passion. She has won several awards, including the Silver Dagger.
