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Publisher's Weekly
In this third Inspector Quantrill psychological thriller, set in rural England, a decent, frustrated man meets a dynamic stranger who embodies the explosive force of his pent-up rage. Derek Cartwright and Hugh Packer share a similar dilemma: both are saddled with elderly in-laws whose presence seems to be ruining their lives. Sadistic bully Packer wants his father-in-law out of the way so he can acquire the old man's fortune. Cartwright, on the other hand, convinces himself that his motive is altruistic: he wants to free his wife from the burden of caring for her mother, a task she assumed in expiation for her guilty sense of relief when the couple's handicapped daughter died. Packer quickly realizes the possibilities and involves Cartwright--against his will--in a murderous plot in which each will kill the other's resident in-law. When Inspector Douglas Quantrill ( Fate Worse Than Death ) enters the case, his canny knowledge of human nature escalates the tension. Radley illuminates the ease with which an almost innocent slip can be a fateful step that inexorably slides into hell.
Library Journal
A psychologically intriguing treatment of a murder in absentia, Radley's latest illuminates the repercussions of Derek Cartwright's wish that his mother-in-law were dead. Derek and wife Christine, recently (though unhappily) freed of the burden of a handicapped daughter, now find themselves housing Christine's irritating mother. After a chance encounter with a similarly encumbered but truly evil businessman, Derek starts losing control of events. Well-thought-out plot, bitterly ironic situations, and deeply involving texture make this English village worth a visit.
Genre: Mystery
In this third Inspector Quantrill psychological thriller, set in rural England, a decent, frustrated man meets a dynamic stranger who embodies the explosive force of his pent-up rage. Derek Cartwright and Hugh Packer share a similar dilemma: both are saddled with elderly in-laws whose presence seems to be ruining their lives. Sadistic bully Packer wants his father-in-law out of the way so he can acquire the old man's fortune. Cartwright, on the other hand, convinces himself that his motive is altruistic: he wants to free his wife from the burden of caring for her mother, a task she assumed in expiation for her guilty sense of relief when the couple's handicapped daughter died. Packer quickly realizes the possibilities and involves Cartwright--against his will--in a murderous plot in which each will kill the other's resident in-law. When Inspector Douglas Quantrill ( Fate Worse Than Death ) enters the case, his canny knowledge of human nature escalates the tension. Radley illuminates the ease with which an almost innocent slip can be a fateful step that inexorably slides into hell.
Library Journal
A psychologically intriguing treatment of a murder in absentia, Radley's latest illuminates the repercussions of Derek Cartwright's wish that his mother-in-law were dead. Derek and wife Christine, recently (though unhappily) freed of the burden of a handicapped daughter, now find themselves housing Christine's irritating mother. After a chance encounter with a similarly encumbered but truly evil businessman, Derek starts losing control of events. Well-thought-out plot, bitterly ironic situations, and deeply involving texture make this English village worth a visit.
Genre: Mystery
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