MINETTE WALTERS

I have placed "sizzler ratings" next to books read, even if the review hasn't been added at this time.

	The Ice House
	The Sculptress
	The Scold's Bridle
	The Dark Room
	The Echo
	The Breaker
	The Shape of Snakes
	Acid Row

Sub-category: Crime
The plot: An ignored housing state, nicknamed "Acid Row" is the place many single mothers and fatherless children call home. Angry, alienated youth patrol the street and social workers come and go. One bitter social worker lets slip that a paedophile exists in the area and some of the mothers decide to have a small protest about the government putting their children at risk. However, some of the youths have other ideas and turn the protest into a crusade to destroy the paedophile - even though they don't know who it is... As the situation explodes and overwhelms the police, the unlikeliest of people become hero's as they try to save lives.
Comment: Not an mind-bendingly complex novel but well thought out and well written. Again, Walters delivers suspense and unlikely characters to keep the reader turning the pages to see what happens next.
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Sub-category: Mystery
The plot: The narrator, "M", has very methodically over a period of 20 years, accumulated questions and facts surrounding the mysterious death of a black lady in her neighbourhood. It was a pivotal moment in her life - her husband walked out on her and the neighbourhood and mother turned against her quest to find out why Annie Butts died. She learnt to bury issue in fornt of the people who didn't want to know, but she never stopped searching for the truth. Now, in 1999, she is back in the area and trying to get answers surrounding the death of Annie Butts from the old neighbours - and turning up some nasty truths in the process
Comment: This was a strange tale. The narrator is bit of a cold fish, and a bit hard to relate to - although as the story unfolds, it is understandable why she is the way she is. However, the circumstances and the dilligence of 'M' make The Shape of Snakes for compelling reading right up to the strange twist at the end.
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Sub-category: Mystery
The plot: A bruised and battered woman's body washes up in Chapman's Pool, a quiet cove near nowhere on the southern English coast. However, it is summer and two boys quickly alert the authorities to the crime. Seemingly unconnected, a 3 year old toddler is found striding purposefully through the streets of the closest town. It turns out to be the child of the dead woman. Puzzled, local authorities begin to investigate who the woman is, how is she connected to the toddler, and why was she murdered.
Comment: A pleasantly written novel with just enough twists and sudden changes to keep you turning pages and guessing to the end which of the two dominant suspects is actually the killer.
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Sub-category: Mystery
The plot: Jane Kingsley has no memory after a car crash has left her in a hospital. Gradually the memories come back and it becomes a race against time to make sure she stays alive.
Comment: A little slow to start, but the intrigue keeps building and then as more clues fall into place, the pace really picks up.
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