Friday, May 07, 2021

Seven literary murderers hiding in plain sight

Clare Whitfield is a UK-based writer living in a suburb where the main cultural landmark is a home store/Starbucks combo. She is the wife of a tattoo artist, mother of a small benign dictator and relies on a black Labrador for emotional stability. She has been a dancer, copywriter, amateur fire breather, buyer and mediocre weight lifter.

People of Abandoned Character is her first novel.

At CrimeReads Whitfield tagged seven literary murderers who inspired her novel, in which "everyone is potentially masquerading as something or someone else." One entry on the list:
Adele Ferguson, Behind her Eyes by Sarah Pinborough

Louise is a divorced single mom and meets David in a bar, they kiss, and the very next day she goes to work and it turns out last night’s David is her new boss, oh and by the way he’s married… more than a little awkward. Louise then meets his wife, the very needy and seemingly unstable Adele. Despite her reluctance Louise finds herself feeling sorry for her. Adele and Louise end up becoming friends, while Louse embarks on an affair with David. Let’s just say it gets even more complicated. Adele is a skilled manipulator, and she’s done this before.
Read about another entry on the list.

Behind Her Eyes is among Alice Feeney's eight top novels featuring odd couples and unexpected partnerships, Leah Konen's seven dark thrillers about friendships gone wrong, and Camilla Bruce's eight novels to make you question reality.

--Marshal Zeringue