Serious Intent

Rating:
Summary: Quiet menace sets the mood
Review: In the calm sinister voice perfected by a few British mystery authors, Yorke delivers a quiet tale of domestic misery and malice.

The tidy village of Haverscot presents a harmonious face to the world but at its heart secret tensions and resentments are building. Long-suffering Richard Garrett's second marriage is failing under the weight of his helpless wife's wild mood swings and drinking and his stepsons' growing resentment. An old man dies after a visit from his murderer son. The boys who cared for him continue to haunt his house in diverse ways, having a profound effect on the retired spinster who buys the place.

York's characters cross and re-cross paths in the daily course of village life, building up a web of secrets, misunderstandings and emotional encounters while the reader waits tensely for the straw which upsets the delicate balance.

This is a story entirely of mood and character, with the most likable characters naturally facing the highest risk. Veteran writer Yorke produces another winner.

Rating:
Summary: true psychological suspense
Review: this thought provoking story is Margaret Yorke at her best. She again serves up an intelligent, forthright look at modern life, warts & all!! It is filled with quiet menace, something she is SO good at doing. My only problem with Margaret Yorke is that she doesn't write new books fast enough, hence my second reading of "Serious Intent" It was just as good as the first time!!

Rating:
Summary: true psychological suspense
Review: this thought provoking story is Margaret Yorke at her best. She again serves up an intelligent, forthright look at modern life, warts & all!! It is filled with quiet menace, something she is SO good at doing. My only problem with Margaret Yorke is that she doesn't write new books fast enough, hence my second reading of "Serious Intent" It was just as good as the first time!!

Rating:
Summary: She ain't Ruth Rendell, no matter how hard she tries.
Review: While this novel claims to be suspenseful, its rather humdrum plot filled with thoroughly boring characters is not all that suspenseful. Yorke tries to be Ruth Rendell, but really, she should know better.