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Staincliffe, Cath - 'Blink of an Eye'
Hardback: 272 pages (Apr. 2013) Publisher: C & R Crime ISBN: 1780335679

A family barbecue at Suzanne and Jonty's house celebrating the birth just three weeks previously of their first child, Ollie, and the first grandchild of Phil and Carmel. Then Suzanne’s younger sister Naomi and her boyfriend, Luke arrive. They also have something to celebrate. After a long wait since graduating, Luke has a new job and Naomi an interview. Suzanne, always jealous of Naomi is not best pleased to have her celebration taken over. Naomi, always feeling inferior to Suzanne, cannot understand her sister's apparent annoyance.

Leaving the young people celebrating, Carmel and Phil make their way home, only later to receive the news that Naomi is fighting for her life after a car accident. On arrival at the hospital Carmel hears the news that a young girl was killed in the accident, involving the car that Naomi was driving.

The story is told from the perspective of both Carmel and Naomi. Carmel with her social worker and mother's instincts tries to patch together the series of events before the accident for her daughter's benefit, since Naomi has no memory since arriving at the party.

The story is well written, the principal characters, and the story of sibling rivalry very believable. The impact of an accident on both the family of the victim and also the family and friends of the driver is portrayed with great understanding and feeling.

Cath Staincliffe, who is also the author of the Scott and Bailey tv series tie-in books, has the ability to portray almost everyday events which, unfortunately, car accidents are, in such a way that they are shown as the extraordinary events they are to the people who experience them first-hand. She also writes about very strong and believable female characters.

BLINK OF AN EYE is a very good read. The author never fails to impress.

Susan White, England
April 2013

Details of the author's other books with links to reviews can be found on the Books page.
More European crime fiction reviews can be found on the Reviews page.



last updated 25/04/2013 20:51