The Slow Death of Maxwell Carrick

The Slow Death of Maxwell Carrick is a new novel from well-known author Jan Harvey.

Martha Nelson is a journalist. Or rather, she was a journalist until she decided to retire.

But now Martha is feeling at a bit of a loss over what to do with the rest of her life, adapting to the quieter life of not being a harassed and on deadline journalist.

So when the local history group ask her if she would like to compile a book about the history of the village she lives in, she is delighted.

She then accidentally finds the ruinous Lapston Manor and finds a frisson of interest. Why was the manor allowed to fall into decay?

Talk of unexpected deaths and the change of ownership of the property and a mysterious woman called Madam Roussell add fire to the journalistic ideal of getting to the heart of any story!

And, as with many good stories, the seeds of it were sown in the past. Not the distant past in this case, but the more recent past, during the closing days of the Second World War.

The villagers and inhabitants of Lapston were captivated and intrigued by the arrival of a mysterious and extremely beautiful woman called Cecile Roussell who has arrived from Paris to visit the home of her dearly loved 'Henri'.

The family of the man they know as Henry and their companion, Maxwell Carrick, seem to be in her thrall, or certain they are somewhat in awe of her.

But strange things are coming ot the surface and all is not quite what it appears with their beautiful visitor. And soon the family and those closest to them are torn asunder by the person who they, perhaps unwisely, welcomed inot their family bosom.

The book is very well researched and also very well written. Jan Harvey brings her characters to vibrant life.

It's published by Troubador at £9.99.