Tangled Web UK Review January 2011
Cuckoo by
Julia Crouch
hbk out March 11
Published by Headline
at £19.99
Polly and her husband Gareth have left the rat race of London behind and followed
their dream: refurbishing an old country house as a place where Gareth can pursue
his art in the studio in the grounds and their children can grow up with all the
benefits of country life. Then out of the blue comes a devastating call from Polly’s
best friend Rose: her husband has died in an accident. Determined to do all she
can to help, Polly invites Rose and her boys to come and stay. Rose, a renowned
musician and a lifelong rebel is not your run of the mill house-guest and before
long Polly feels that she is being usurped in her role as mother and home-maker.
But her visitor, like the cuckoo of the title, thrives and gains strength in the
adopted environment. Crouch’s first novel is a gripping read. Fluently written
with mounting suspense and foreboding, it takes the notion of the friend who overstays
her welcome to extremes and the reader knows there will be tears before long if
not blood on the Aga. Very good on the uncertainties and vulnerability of marriage,
motherhood and friendship.
(
Cath Staincliffe
author of the popular Sal Kilkenny mysteries and the series creator of TV Blue Murder)
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