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A good subtitle or alternate title for this book would be: "Perils of Pauline," because it is very much a melodrama. I am a huge fan of Reginald Hill's Dazliel-Pascoe mystery series, as well as his Joe Sixsmith books. However, his earlier stand-alones, such as this one, are not quite in the same sublime league.
This one follows the metamorphosis of a middle-aged woman who passed her life in a sort of cocoon of apathy and non-engagement into a feisty, clever, assertive power-female upon the accidental death of her domineering husband. Along the way, she discovers several home truths about him, about herself, about her best friend, and her own heritage. It's a roller-coaster of a journey, but after so many twists and turns, it finally squeaks to a shuddering halt. In fact, the whole thing is so shaky that if it were an actual amusement park ride, I would probably want my money back!
This one follows the metamorphosis of a middle-aged woman who passed her life in a sort of cocoon of apathy and non-engagement into a feisty, clever, assertive power-female upon the accidental death of her domineering husband. Along the way, she discovers several home truths about him, about herself, about her best friend, and her own heritage. It's a roller-coaster of a journey, but after so many twists and turns, it finally squeaks to a shuddering halt. In fact, the whole thing is so shaky that if it were an actual amusement park ride, I would probably want my money back!
