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Salt of Their Blood by Gerald Wixey (view source)
Revision as of 14:53, 28 March 2013
, 14:53, 28 March 2013no edit summary
Like all small towns there were people it was best to avoid - and Kathy was the daughter-in-law of one and the wife of another. She was also the long-lost Declan’s sister. Her father-in-law, Ron, had done time and his life revolved around beer and his allotment, with some revenge and hatred thrown in for good measure. Kenny (her husband), Stuart and Kathy had been at school together, where Kenny had bullied Stuart mercilessly. They were regulars at the pub, with Stuart’s father tolerating the downside of their custom because they spent good money. It could have gone on this way for quite a while but two factors came into play. Stuart’s Uncle Wyn came to stay (it seemed that Auntie Doris had had enough of his extra-marital excursions) and Declan’s body was found.
It’s ‘’not’’ ''not'' a cast of thousands but it does feel like it to begin with. Concentrate: it’s worth the effort. It’s an excellent evocation of a small town where everybody seems to be related in some way to everyone else, be it by blood, by marriage or by trade. Scratch one and you might be surprised at who bleeds. You’ll know the pub and the area too. It’s not in the best of neighbourhoods, but it’s a bit above ‘’rough’’ ''rough'' and there’s a closeness which incorporates loyalty ‘’and’’ ''and'' seething resentments, occasionally at the same time.
The plot’s clever as well. From the beginning you sense that you’re in a downward spiral: there’s not going to be an ‘’easy’’ ''easy'' ending, but it’s very satisfying with a finale which wasn’t expected, but worked perfectly. I’d like to thank the publisher for sending a copy to the Bookbag.
If this book appeals then you might like to try [[Revenge of the Tide by Elizabeth Haynes]].