Run for Home by
Sheila Quigley
pbk out March 04
(Century)
at £9.99
This debut novel brought its author, a 56-year-old grandmother of eight from a
Tyneside council estate, a £30,000 two book deal and a significant marketing
campaign is underway: Century are obviously hoping for a best-seller. A headless
corpse is found on the Seahills sink-estate and someone is abducting young teenage
girls in the area. The story focuses on the Lumsdens, a large family with an alcoholic
mother. They are being held together by the efforts of eldest daughter (and promising
athlete) Kerry. When Claire Lumsden becomes one of the abductees, Kerry, alienated
from the police, determines to find her sister herself. Along the way she uncovers
several skeletons in the family cupboard and puts the Lumsdens in even greater peril.
DI Lorraine Hunt is the investigating officer who develops respect for Kerry and her
clan. This is lively writing with a ripe vernacular (everyone swears all the time) and a
speedy pace. The plot is at times predictable but Quigley's greatest strength is in
capturing the life of the working class family and placing them at the heart of the
story. Warmth and unflinching honesty define the portrayal of the brothers and
sisters, their neighbours, enemies and friends. At times the personalities of Kerry and
Lorraine seem a little too similar, they share the same rebelliousness and sound alike.
Quibbles aside, Quigley, whose work is reminiscent of Martina Cole, is likely to find a
large and loyal readership.
Manchester Evening News 17.4.04
(
Cath Staincliffe
author of the popular Sal Kilkenny mysteries set on the mean streets of Manchester)
