The Second-Last Woman in England

the start that Harriet Wallis has been found guilty and hanged for the murder of her husband. Instead, in her U.S. debut, author Maggie Joel intrigues us with a “why-she-dunit,” and it’s not for any of the clichéd reasons we’ve come to expect. In 1953 England is celebrating the coronation of a new queen, signifying a new beginning for a country that has just survived a war and a depression. So what would possibly compel a well-to-do mother of two with a successful husband to commit murder? The Second-Last
Woman in England twists as it follows not only Harriet’s story but also those of both her husband and the children’s nanny. This is a well-executed look into the psyche of three characters on the ultimate collision show more course.

This review was originally written for Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore show less

First, I think I should start off by saying that I loved The Past and Other Lies by the same author. It was clever, intriguing and beautifully written. So naturally, I was expecting something similar from this book.

Er, no.

This book is beautifully written- so much so that I could imagine 1950s London perfectly in my head- but there's none of the thinking or linking between the characters that the previous book had. Once again, nothing it was it seems, but when it's revealed (eg. Harriet's relationship to Freddie) it's neither shocking nor interesting.

This book starts and ends with the murder of Mr Wallis. Poor bloke, he had a rough time in my opinion. While it's clever to tell the ending and then the events leading up to it, I was show more constantly waiting for the twists and intrigue to start. It didn't happen. I felt the epilogue was rushed (like in the last Harry Potter book) and too tidy.

Perhaps this book was meant to be frightfully restrained to mimic the time period. But for a modern reader and a highly explosive subject, I was expecting a bit more passion. show less

This story begins with the murder of Cecil Wallis, a wealthy shipping magnate, by his wife Harriet Wallis. The author then takes us back 9 months and slowly more clues are revealed as to the reasons behind her actions.
A wonderful recreation of postwar Britain, highlighting the disparity between the working class and the wealthy.
Some wonderful twists in the tale. Marvellous.