Bestselling crime author Marian Lane is surrounded by adoring readers when she learns that her husband Dane is dead.
Marian returns home in shock to discover a stranger on her doorstep. A woman who not only claims she's Marian's biggest fan but says that she comforted Dane in his final moments.
At first, this woman, Mary, is a source of comfort. Until she admits Dane confessed a secret. One she can't quite remember; one Marian is desperate to learn.
But Mary is a storyteller too. And though Marian knows every twist in the genre, she won't see this one coming . . .
It is such a pleasure to be sharing my review of The Woman Who Wasn't There by William Hussey today. Many thanks to Zaffre Books for my advance copy of the novel, received through Netgalley, and to Tracy Fenton for inviting me to take part in the blog tour.
I read The Woman Who Wasn't There around the time of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival this weekend and I loved the extra little details that William Hussey added to really give a flavour of crime writing events – including a brief cameo from a few well-known crime authors! Nevertheless, it isn't necessary to have attended a festival to appreciate the whiplash-inducing twists and turns or the perceptive exploration into societal injustice and the making of a murderer in this brilliantly compulsive psychological thriller.
Marian Lane is the author of the Maddie Malone Mysteries popular series of cosy crime novels about a dinner lady detective. She might not earn many literary plaudits but she has an army of loyal fans who eagerly look forward to each new book in the series. However, just before she is due on stage at Danesgate Crime Writing Festival, she hears disappointing news about what is planned to be the sixth and final instalment. Readers of The Woman Who Wasn't There know things are going to become even worse for Marian though, as she tells us so in her own words in a brief but ominous prologue. Marian states that if anyone is reading her statement, she may be either dead or missing; she muses where best to start her story and then realises it should begin at the aforementioned writing festival, where she was the headline guest as 150 miles away, her husband drew his last breath.
The propulsive plot soon finds Marian widowed following what appears to be a tragic accident and clearly still haunted by her dark past. As a young woman on the cusp of finishing university, she witnessed the murder of one of her friends, killed at the hands of a young man who had apparently been obsessed with her. He admitted the murder but has never been able to explain his motive. Now though, he has been released back into society.
Meanwhile, there are also diary entries written from the perspective of Mary Ann Katherine Hannigan, who turns up at Marian's house to tell her that she was with Dane when he died – and that he told her a secret. Mary is a fabulous character; there is definitely something unsettling about her and as the novel progresses, we learn more about what she is capable of. However, there are scenes which reveal her strong sense of moral fairness and throughout the book, she is delightfully complex. The characterisation is excellent throughout and Marian herself is fascinating too, particularly when she recalls the tragic events of her past.
Marian might have a beautiful home and financial security now but she grew up in poverty and William Hussey writes powerful, empathetic descriptions of her childhood. Mary also knew extreme poverty as a child but unlike Marian, hasn't been able to escape her past. Through her own words, it's obvious that she has gained a notorious local reputation and as she inveigles herself into Marian's life, the questions that are raised about her true intentions ensure this is a real page-turner of a read. As Marian and Mary join forces, there are some heartbreaking, harrowing revelations about their lives and The Woman Who Wasn't There is as thought-provoking as it is intriguing and exciting.
William Hussey's rich descriptions, particularly of Skegness and Amblethwaite, mean the sense of place is impeccable throughout; the juxtaposition between the scenes of Marian's challenging childhood and her comfortable life now is especially stark. There is also an unnerving feeling of foreboding as it becomes evident that the truth is far more twisted than it first appears and the tension builds steadily until the dramatic, unexpected denouement.
The Woman Who Wasn't There is a cleverly constructed, compelling mystery packed with dark secrets yet laced with wry humour and a penetrating social commentary. Very highly recommended.
The Woman Who Wasn't There is published by Zaffre Books and can be purchased from bookshop.org, Hive, Waterstones, Amazon or your favourite independeny bookshop.
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About the Author
Born the son of a travelling showman, he has spent a lifetime absorbing the history, folklore and culture of fairground people, knowledge he has now put to work in his Scott Jericho thrillers.
William lives in the seaside town of Skegness with his faithful dog Bucky and a vivid imagination.
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