Clare Francis

Hugh Gwynne, in the middle of a court case, becomes obsessed with the idea that his wife, Lizzie, was killed by an arsonist. She had died in a fire at their home, a fire the police insisted was accidental, but nothing seemed to fit, there were too many things out of place.

In the meantime, his client, Tom Deacon, a war veteran claiming PTSD after a car crash in which he saw his daughter burned to death, is furious with Hugh because Hugh had revealed some negative information about Tom that show more threatens his case which had appeared headed for victory until an anonymous letter arrived with the information.

Hugh's son Charlie has a history with drugs and Hugh worries that perhaps one of his contacts had killed his wife. But she was also involved in finding a witness to a killing that she had stumbled on while working with her clients in the projects.

An interesting story that has less mystery and more a treatise on bereavement and obsession. Still, I would read more of her work. show less

My husband has several Claire Francis books on the shelf & I've never wanted to read one. For a book club challenge, this title seemed appropriate, so I gave it a go.

Well.

That was really very good. Claire starts the story waking up in hospital after serious accident that appears to have resulted from a break in. She's got a broken spine - with all the uncertainties that entails - and head injuries. Slowly through the book you meet her family, husband, husband's business partner and a shady show more character from her past. There are three men with something to hide and lose in this, Ben (the husband), Simon (the business partner) and Terry (the shady character). By turns each of them seems to have the most to gain from the situation, to have more information than he should. It twists and turns all the way, with Ben's flitting about seeming suspicious, then Simon's solicitude and Terry, who has been rebuffed before, still trying to be involved.

There's money and business dealings of the shady and honest sort, there are lies being told and retold and plenty of mist and murk. Through which Claire has to see her way through. It twists and turns and facts come to light, or are presented in a new light and re-examined on a regular basis. The cast of characters is quite tight, but well presented and there are question marks over all of them at some point in the tale. All in all a most satisfactory read and I will be heading back to his bookshelves for another one at some point. show less

Clare Francis is a talented woman. Not only a yachtswoman of renown, but also a talented author. This book, set in post-2nd world war Britain, is centered on the Somerset Levels. I toured this area as a cyclist some years ago and the low-lying, foggy, waterladen and atmospheric feel to this place is perfectly captured in this book. The plot is gripping and the characters believable. Enjoyed this book a lot.

What an intense read and such a cliffhanger! ARGH! It's almost unfair to end a book like that!

In this second book, we get to learn more about the Beast and see how Benella's feelings towards him developed. At the same time, she comes to discover her own sexuality but in such an innocent way that it is endearing.

The perceived deceit had me rage out loud. That one blindsided me. I expected nothing less from the Baker and Tennen but this one really came out of nowhere. I can only hope that she show more becomes redeemed (or at the very least explain the deceit) in some way in the third installment.

A great story so that has gripped me from the very first page. show less