The Scold's Bridle - Minette Walters

Minette's whodunnits are sick and dirty. I find them real page-turners. I read this one in a 3 hour gulp last night and will probably re-read it today. In fact, bad confession here, it will probably be a re-reread as I got to around the middle and recognised one of the nicer characters. I only get this with whodunnits, anything else I know by around page 5  if it is a re-read.

Some of her books have villains and victims who are from the bottom of the social pile. The Scold's Bridle is about the posh folks of the village, four generations of twisted deviants. Incest is at the root, I could have told you that before the first hint from the author but the convoluted ramifications of motive and circumstance are pretty fine tuned and use a mixture of sharp and blunt surfaces.

Another crime writer told me that Minette is a volunteer prison visitor. This adds up. I can imagine her talking to long-term prisoners whom most people shun and borrowing their mental maps creatively.

Why her,why now? Why dip her spoon into the murky sludge at the back of my mind? Vengefulness, warped emotional and sexual needs, deceit, avarice, the rage of hurt pride. Some of this has to be mine or I would not slurp down her bile. Not having quite enough to do at this oh so busy time of year and getting over a cough which has left me physically and creatively apathetic  has got something to do with it.

I should go to a pub sing-song tonight. Wearing a snowman pullover, antler ears and, absolute minimum seasonal fun standard, sporting a pair of dangly Christmas tree earrings that light up.

Whether I do or not I wish you all well for the end of this year and a better one next year. Myself included.

Comments

Good riddance to your cough Elsie and if your ear lights do light up, hope it's cheerful.

 

yeh, I've read this, like you in my dim and distant past. I'm sure if I picked it up I'd think hang on I know how this ends!

 

Cheers both of yasmiley