This books starts with the opening of a murder trial and ends with the final outcome - but it can't be classed as a courtroom drama. Most of the action takes place elsewhere as the interwoven lives of the main characters are slowly uncovered. It's set in the early 50s and the legacy of the Second World War is a central theme: prejudice, hatred, wounds both mental and physical etc, plus love and jealousy, of course.

It's a well-written What Happened and Why? rather than a Whodunnit? but on balance I think it's a little too bleak for my current reading tastes. I fully understand that life's unfair and don't need to be reminded, preferring something a little more uplifting just now.

Update: Passed it to Bilton115 at the Bilton Library Reading Group - my first time at one of their meetings, which I very much enjoyed, thank you! I'll definitely come again.

I've just picked up this book at Bilton Library reading group and am looking forward to reading it once I have read my reading group book. I'm not sure whether it is something I would have chosen from a shop but will give it a try.

Update: I did enjoy this book. I liked the pace of it and the characters interested me. The descriptions allowed me to visualise the setting and the things that were happening.

I have now passed the book on to my Aunt for her and her friends to read. I know they won't journal it but it will come back to me eventually to be re-released.