Publisher's Weekly Review
This first novel by a London solicitor is wonderfully British, devilishly intricate and, once the reader settles in, compelling indeed. Eileen Cartwright, a rich, middle-aged widow of less than lofty moral standards, arranges the murder of her solicitor's wife, under the mistaken impression that the act will win his affections. But the hired murderer, would-be private detective Stanislaus Jaskowski, is caught almost immediately--and confesses all. The trying task of proving the widow Cartwright's role in the crime falls to police superintendent Geoffrey Bailey and prosecutor Helen West--who are slowly and deliciously drawn together personally and professionally. While the case comes to involve Jaskowski's sons, Edward and Peter, the horrifying truth is revealed as the reader gradually learns the motives driving each of the marvelously drawn characters in this auspicious first volume in Pocket's new hardcover mystery series. Major ad/promo; BOMC alternate. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
A wrenching, emotionally complex story pitting Crown Prosecutor Helen West and Detective Superintendent Geoff Bailey against the coldly smug Eileen Cartwright, who maliciously plotted the death of the wife of the man she mooned over--except that there's no proof: The man she hired to do the stabbing, Stanislaus Jaskowski, has confessed all, but corroboration is missing. Then Eileen legally transfers 5000 pounds to Jaskowski's oldest son Edward (for humanitarian reasons, she says); Helen is attacked and badly hurt; Edward's younger brother Peter begins paying secret visits to Helen's garden; Edward and Peter have a falling out; and Eileen's dreadful relationship with Edward is revealed--after Geoff and Peter have an intense chat, sealing Eileen's fate. Most effective when dealing with the son/father manipulation and brother/brother abandonment and reclaiming, though Helen and Geoff's low-key romance is also touching. A sensitive, above-average debut from solicitor Fyfield, who evokes the dogged, psychological tension of Julian Symons. Next in the series is already in the works. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
