Margaret Yorke, a celebrated crime fiction writer, is renowned for her compelling narratives that delve into the lives of ordinary individuals thrust into extraordinary and often harrowing circumstances. Her literary style is characterized by exquisite language and a profound exploration of character psychology, with Yorke famously stating that her characters often guided her writing rather than the other way around. She emphasized the primacy of character development over intricate plotting, believing that readers connect deeply with the relatable conflicts that emerge from everyday life. This focus on authentic human experience, coupled with her masterful prose, has cemented her reputation among readers and critics alike.
Mick Harvey liked to frighten people and after a spell in prison for stealing, he is determined not to end up inside again. It was just by chance that Laura and Marion encountered Mick on the road and reported him for dangerous driving. Now, Mick has only one thought on his mind - revenge.
Two tales that demonstrate Margaret Yorke's ability to see what can lurk beneath the most unremarkable facades.
Louise Widdows has never been happy in her marriage. Of a generation where the woman's role was assumed to be one of support and supplication, she provided both in exchange for a secure roof over her head. But her facade of genteel acceptance disguises two secrets - a child born in adultery and given away at birth, and a small inheritance she has kept hidden from her husband. Then two events align to free her from her miserable existence: the father of her son dies allowing her the luxury of attempting to find him, and her husband abruptly leaves her. Abandoning the shabby matrimonial home, she moves into the cottage left to her by her mother and begins to blossom in her independence. But other events have collided - the discovery of a body near her old home and another close to a former residence of theirs, and the realisation that her husband has absconded with a charity's funds as well as the contents of their bank account. Suddenly her new life doesn't seem so secure, and she begins to doubt that she will have time to enjoy it, never mind locate her unknown son.
Carrie Foster was still young when she started breaking the law. And she took to it like a duck to water. Gordon Matthews had transgressed only once, but his crime was far more serious. A pity Carrie didn't suspect anything when he proposed to her. But then, why should she? Gordon looked presentable now- and prison had given him time to invent a new past. Nicholas was different- a shy young man, eager to please- and to Carrie their affair began as an amusing diversion. A bit of harmless fun, and Nicholas need never know about her other life with Gordon. But there was something Carrie didn't know either...
A sweet-tempered man, Philip Winter never suspects that a nicely dressed woman would come into the department store where he works, make a pass at him, then accuse him of rape when he turns down her advances. Though he's been acquitted, he's lost his job and his wife's trust. What's left for him to do but fake his own death? And as Philip drifts into non-entity, he falls in with some people whose worlds are about to be shaken in explosive ways . . .
A chance encounter with a stranger, Priscilla Blunt, seems to offer Nina Crowther an escape from her problems. Middle-aged, struggling to recover from the shock of her husband divorcing her to marry a younger (and pregnant) woman, Nina happily falls in with Priscilla's idea to house-sit for her while she and her husband visit South Africa.When the phone rings on her first night in the Blunts' Berkshire manor house she expects it to be one of her daughters, but when she lifts the receiver no-one speaks. All Nina hears is a shuddering sigh. As the calls persist Nina fears she has attracted an unwelcome suitor - or is it the man who is brutally murdering women in a nearby village? Or could it be one and the same person?
William Adams is a killer who has never been convicted. He's served time for rape and assault but has not been sentenced for murder. When he takes on a new identity, his dream world becomes a nightmare when, in a rural guesthouse, he meets someone from his past. By the author of Serious Intent.
When Isabel's god-daughter, Emily, turns up after years of no contact and in need of help, she feels duty-bound to take her under her wing. To her surprise, Emily is determined to be independent and takes a job as nanny. Emily's charge turns out to be the illegitimate child of the naïve daughter of a well-to-do couple and a ne'er-do-well conman who disappeared before the baby was born. And now he is back, intent on exploiting his parental status in return for cash. Before she knows it, Emily is caught up in his botched attempts at blackmail, trying desperately to protect her charge from harm, while also shielding Isabel from becoming entangled in the drama. But when events beyond her control force her to act instinctively, with horrendous effect, all their lives are put terribly at risk.
A CASE TO ANSWER
On the evening that Lydia Cunningham drives to the train station to meet her daughter Thelma, the pretty little coastal town of Milton St. Gabriel is sleeping quietly. The town's utter normalcy is reflected in Lydia, a respectable widow of advanced years.But Thelma's arrival will shatter the peace of Milton St. Gabriel forever. Thelma brings with her Edward, a young and not altogether appealing pickup with a penchant for arson, and the two of them unleash events that reveal a sordid and long-hidden tale of illegitimacy and murder. But it is only the groundwork for what lies ahead, as Lydia, encountering her past, falls over the edge of sanity into a nightmarish world of revenge and murder...
Když dva ozbrojení lupiči vniknou do venkovského domu, poznamenají svým činem navždy životy jeho obyvatel, především dcery, znásilněné jedním z nich, a jejího otce, který se prostřednictvím svého ďábelského plánu snaží potrestat násilníky tak, jak se to justici nepodařilo.
Detektivní příběh z pera oblíbené autorky odehrávající se na anglickém maloměstě. Hlavní hrdinka Isabel žije ve stereotypním nudném vztahu s despotickým manželem. Změna nastane, když je zavolána na policii, kde je zadržena mladá ekologická aktivistka pro výtržnictví a Isabel zjistí, že se jedná o její kmotřenku, kterou nekolik let neviděla. Nyní je okolnostmi donucena se za dívku zaručit a vzít ji k sobě domů. Příchod mladé nekonvenční dívky s podivnou minulostí naruší nejen soukromé vztahy Isabel, ale i život v celém okolí. Začnou vycházet najevo nepříjemná tajemství z minulosti, která přinesou tragické rozuzlení. Detektivní příběh vycházející z tradice klasické anglické detektivní literatury byl v roce 1999 oceněn prestižní cenou Diamantová dýka.
Smrt starší dámy odhalí dlouho utajované rodinné tajemství. Nedávno ovdovělá Charlotte se musí ujmout nevlastní vnučky, mrzuté, nehezké a navíc těhotné dívky, která utekla ze školy a marně se pokouší přimět rodiče, aby jí věnovali trochu pozornosti. Její příjezd rozvíří klidnouhladinu Charlottina domova a vede nakonec k tragédii...
Kniha Probuzení do krutého dne vypráví o neuváženém jednání mladého Micka, který se díky nebezpečné jízdy autem dostane do rukou policisty Coatese. Mick se dostává z jednoho maléru do druhého a dokonce dochází tak daleko, že dokáže zabít člověka, aby se pomstil. Autorka v této knize nenechává odhalení viníka na konec, ale snaží se nám ukázat "nitro" zločinu.
Obyvatelé idylické vesničky Bishop St. Leon se diví, co všechno si nechá Susan Trentová od svého syna Martina líbit. Jednoho dne přijíždí mezi místní obyvatele neznámý muž a představí se jako Adam Wilson. Ví, kde bydlí Trentovi, a nenápadně se na ně vyptává. Detektiv Roger, Adamův spolubydlící, se obává o Susaninu bezpečnost. Prohledá Adamova zavazadla a zjistí, že cestuje pod falešným jménem… Vysvětlení přinese teprve noční bouře, kdy do staré vrby na zahradě Trentových udeří blesk…
Naprostou náhodou se ocitne mladý oxfordský profesor Patrick Grand na athénské Akropoli ve chvíli, kdy tam dojde k nešťastné události. Jedna turistka se zřítí ze schodů a na místě zahyne. Nebyl by to Patrick Grant, kterého zajímají záhady a už několikrát se mu podařilo přispět k rozlousknutí zapeklitého případu, aby se o nehodu nezačal zajímat. Ukáže se, že na Akropoli zemřela slečna Ameile Brintonová, bývalá ředitelka střední dívčí školy. Zvědavost a podivné tušení zavedou Patricka Granta do Meldsmeadu, kde slečna Brintonová bydlela, a od té chvíle se začínají v jindy poklidné vesnici odehrávat nebezpečné události, které mají kořeny v dávné minulosti. A příležitostný detektiv Patrick Grant má příležitost přijít všemu na kloub.... celý text
Louisu Widdowsovou porazilo auto, ale byla to skutečně nehoda? Proč má pocit, že za volantem seděl její manžel, který navíc krátce po nehodě zmizel? Andrew vytuší, že rozrušená žena utíká před násilím. Její manžel se může objevit stejně překvapivě, jako zmizel – Louisa si po mnoha letech bezdětného manželství začíná uvědomovat, že svého muže vlastně vůbec nezná
