Books for Christmas - Margaret Murphy

And now it's time for Margaret Murphy to shoot an urgent missive to the Christmas elves.  She was more than enthusiastic to spread her word when asked, this book is a killer...

Margaret Murphy has written a lot of crime novels and is the author of the Rickman series which starts here.

"Engleby is such an essential Christmas read I am convinced Santa’s Elves have pre-empted this recommendation and are already packing them for crime fiction readers everywhere.  The story is narrated by Mike Engleby, a second year student at an ‘ancient university’, The narrative voice is simple, unembellished, deceptively simple. Yet, from the start, we are convinced that we are dealing with an exceptional mind – uncompromising, fiercely intelligent, wickedly funny – and deeply disturbed. The working-class boy’s agonisingly painful progress through the public school system, his alienation which persists through university and into adulthood, is told unsentimentally, and without rancour, but we burn with shame and rage on his behalf.

A fellow student disappears, and Engleby mourns her loss, yet we feel an unease: despite his eidetic memory for facts, there are gaps in his memory of events.  Engleby is compulsive, immediate and suspenseful, crime fiction reminiscent of the early Barara Vine novels: although there is relatively little incident, the writer keeps the reader in a state of constant dread - a truly masterful work."

And now for a little bit extra: I have two signed paperback copies of Margaret's wonderful novel The Dispossessed, my favourite crime fiction read in 2005.  You only have to email to get your hands on one.  No quiz or test here; you just have to email me.  The first two to the post get a copy.

Expect a compelling read with The Dispossessed and a stomach flooring moment towards the end.  Life in Liverpool is like life in any other major UK city, but Margaret has a bunch of keys to let you into the reality through fiction - a stunning read. 

Comments

[Anne Brooke]

Fab - Engleby's already on my Christmas list!!

:))

A
xxx