Author Archives: PJ Mordant

There is a lot to like in this book. The author evokes a strong sense of place, setting the story in central London; concentrating on its busy-ness and seamier side. Ada, her main character, is a housing manager who, as part of her work, routinely deals with people on the edges of life. And thisContinue reading “The Tower: Anne-Marie Ormsby”

“The problem with wearing a façade is that sooner or later life shows up with a big pair of scissors.” I can’t remember where I got this nugget from, but it certainly does sum up this particular “Façade” by Helen Matthews. There’s the central metaphor – the family home – seized by entropy and fallingContinue reading “Façade: Helen Matthews”

If you were faced with the end of the world – literally, what would haunt you the most? Would it be the unknown possibilities of the future – the terrors ahead – or would it be your past; the decisions you made, the promises you broke, the behaviours that defined you? “The End of theContinue reading “The End of the Road: Anna Legat”

Such a lot to say about this book. Not an easy read but – because of that – nevertheless moving and provocative. Written from different points of view, and often flashing back through time, a picture is built up to explain the reasons behind the choices each character made, and because of their flawed personalities,Continue reading “The Devolution of Us: Morwenna Blackwood”

Charlie takes ordinary characters, characters like you and I, and sets them against a backdrop of dysfunction so damaging, the main players become quite extraordinary. Opening with an inciting event which calls us to read on, we become sucked into their world of pretence, share their coping strategies as they shape and become shaped byContinue reading “Cry of the Lake: Charlie Tyler”

I love dark crime and this is definitely dark! The main character, James Ravencroft, is an artist who, once he sets his eye on a model for one of his ‘still lifes,’ will stop at nothing to capture them on canvas – to become his ‘stone angels.’ ‘Capture’, of course, is the operative, word, sinceContinue reading “Stone Angels: Paula R. C. Readman”