The Sculptress by Minette Walters
Next to read in my pile of books by the new queen of crime was The Sculptress. This was a CWA dagger winner from 1993 which was later serialised by the BBC with Linda Robson playing the lead role.
The basic premise of the book is that Olive Martin has served 5 years of a 25 year sentence after pleading guilty to the slaughter and chopping up of her mother and sister in their family home. Nothing at the start of the book suggests other than she was a deranged killer who was upset during a family row resulting in her actions.
The case is taken up by struggling writer, Roz, who with one hand twisted behind back by her publisher is asked to interview Olive in preparation for writing a book about the case.
Initially, she is very frightened of interviewing her because of her huge physical presence and reputation. This soon changes as she gains Olive’s confidence and begins to think that there may be a chance that she is innocent.
The story goes from there to following up leads by talking to locals, neighbours and an ex-policeman called Hal who is linked to the case through the restaurant he owns and Olive’s solicitor, Peter Crew, who seems to be a nasty piece of work.
In the middle of this, Roz., has her own personal problems trying to deal with her failed marriage, ex-husband and the tragic death of her daughter in a car accident the year before.
Everything is put together seamlessly in a style which as usual carries us forward at a great rate of knots. Excellent stuff.
Next to read in my pile of books by the new queen of crime was The Sculptress. This was a CWA dagger winner from 1993 which was later serialised by the BBC with Linda Robson playing the lead role.
The basic premise of the book is that Olive Martin has served 5 years of a 25 year sentence after pleading guilty to the slaughter and chopping up of her mother and sister in their family home. Nothing at the start of the book suggests other than she was a deranged killer who was upset during a family row resulting in her actions.
The case is taken up by struggling writer, Roz, who with one hand twisted behind back by her publisher is asked to interview Olive in preparation for writing a book about the case.
Initially, she is very frightened of interviewing her because of her huge physical presence and reputation. This soon changes as she gains Olive’s confidence and begins to think that there may be a chance that she is innocent.
The story goes from there to following up leads by talking to locals, neighbours and an ex-policeman called Hal who is linked to the case through the restaurant he owns and Olive’s solicitor, Peter Crew, who seems to be a nasty piece of work.
In the middle of this, Roz., has her own personal problems trying to deal with her failed marriage, ex-husband and the tragic death of her daughter in a car accident the year before.
Everything is put together seamlessly in a style which as usual carries us forward at a great rate of knots. Excellent stuff.
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