Quite a thought-provoking book with the emotive topic of cot-deaths behind the narrative. Fliss Benson,assistant to Laurie Natrass, has been asked by him to continue producing the TV programme he has master-minded on this topic when he leaves his job. Three women who were perhaps wrongly convicted of killing their babies have now been freed, and they are the subject of the programme. As Fliss continues to probe, her own tragedy begins to emerge. There are many strands to this story, many characters too. I didn't wholly beleive in any of them, nor were many of them in any way sympathetic. So whilst it was an interesting, even gripping story from time to time (what is the significance of those white cards with 16 numbers on each, distrubted to some of the characters in the book?), I don't feel moved to read any more of Hannah's books ( )

I was disappointed in this book as I found the characters to be irritating and/or flat. I found it difficult to follow and by the end really couldn't care less. ( )

The fifth in the series has more, more, more twists and less, less, less Zailer and Waterhouse, but not to ill effect. The main characters are two film producers trying to get to a resolution on three cases of possible child murders by moms. Snowman figures more prominently, as he had arrested one of the accused. And he's really making Waterhouse literally crazed, not a far drive. Plenty of humor and insight, as usual. ( )

I love most of Sophie Hannah's books for the first three quarters-- compelling ideas, genius hooks, interesting characters. Then the denouements often seemed rushed and unsatisfying. This one is much better, with interesting issues and a great setup. There was much more sustained tension til the end, which was great. ( )

I enjoyed the first three of the Culver Valley series (Little Face, Hurting Distance and The Point of Rescue) and was less impressed with number four, The Other Half Lives. But Sophie Hannah's storylines are always so interesting that I really want to read another one and so I found myself picking up A Room Swept White. I'm afraid I was disappointed.

Despite an intriguing story about mothers accused of killing their children and a TV producer who finds herself thrown in at the deep end of a documentary about them, together with mysterious cards with numbers on them being found here, there and everywhere, this book failed to draw me in. Police officers Zailer and Waterhouse are just plain irritating and confusing this time round and Zailer's recent past is referred to quite a bit but the author failed to give any reminder as to what happened to her (whatever it was happened in The Other Half Lives and I can't remember now).

I'm afraid I was just glad to get to the end of this book. There were parts that I thought were good and some the opposite, but too mixed for it to score any higher for me. However, I have to say that I will probably read the rest in the series because they appeal to me so much. ( )