Fox Evil by Minette WaltersMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Time taken to read - 5 days
Publisher - Berkley Trade
Pages - 400
Blurb from Goodreads
Friendless and alone after his wife dies under suspicious circumstances, Colonel James Lockyer-Fox searches desperately for the illegitimate grand-daughter who could be the only answer to the problems plaguing his name and his life.
My Review
June 2001 the story opens with the murder of a wee fox. We are then treated to a news paper article covering some issues with Travellers camping in areas in England, then the story begins. We are introduced to Wolfie, a ten year old boy amidst the travellers and his violent father Fox. We then move on to Nancy Smith, tracked down by a rich families lawyer to discuss her adoption with her. The story takes shape and shifts between Nancy, her grandfather the Colonel and Fox and his band of travellers. The Colonel, James Lockyer-Fox is shunned by the locals after his wife is killed and he is believed to be the culprit. Despite being cleared by the police, some of the locals will not let him rest. Will Nancy be drawn to her blood family and discover who is responsible and what is the real reason Fox and his travelers have descended upon the Colonels town?
The story is fairly decent paced, there is murder, crime and mayhem afoot. Nancy has her own career in the military, her adopted family have money and love galore she has no need for the Lockyer-Fox, however Martin, the family lawyer, is working for James and won't easily be told no. The travelers or rather one in particular has a reason for coming to this town and they won't be easily deterred from their plan.
A book with twists and turn, secrets and questions that will keep you reading to the end. I do like Minette Walters although sometimes it takes a wee bit of time to get used to the format, between news articles, and the following of the different characters. A good read although a few details readers may find upsetting, undertones of sexual abuse and animal cruelty although they are not overly graphic but worth mentioning they do crop up. 3/5 for me, I have a few of her other books on my tbr and I will be reading her again.
This does seem involved. I find that is often a good thing in a book like this.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds as if there might be some canine related symbolism going on in this book?
Even non graphic animal cruelty might be enough to keep mer from a book these days however.