Devil's Work
Alan Parker cannot bring himself to tell his wife that he has lost his job. Each day he goes off to 'work', leaving her in both ignorance and trusting her little ambitions for them will be met. Other than playing out this particular deception, Alan is generally honest and intensely loyal, but that all changes when he happens across a child after an accident and then meets her mother, with whom he forms a friendship. The double life he then leads is exposed when the child goes missing and the police commence an investigation, with suspicion falling directly upon him. There are yet more twists to be revealed in this highly regarded novel.
The Hand of Death
We meet George Fortescue and Ronald Trimm. The former appears to be a very gentle man who is, in every sense of the word, ordinary. Trimm, though, is a successful small businessman who nonetheless feels deprived in one area because of his frigid, yet almost controlling, wife. Pornographic magazines fill the void for a while, but then he encounters a willing widow. However, when two rapes and murders occur it is Fortescue who receives the attention of the police. What is it about this man that allows him to become the chief suspect?
Pieces of Justice
In this collection of crime stories, readers will be delighted to find Dr. Patrick Grant making a welcome re-appearance. Also included are stories about a long held grudge and a wrongdoing with unforeseen later consequences, and others, all on a par with Margaret Yorke's much admired full length works.
Safely To The Grave
The Times referred to this work as a superior psychothriller and it certainly lives up to the epithet. The central character is Mick Harvey, who has just been released after a spell in prison. He enjoys frightening people – it is his way of gaining a thrill. One day he encounters Laura and Marion, who subsequently report him for dangerous driving. Thereafter, Mick has one thought only on his mind – how to exact revenge. With what might seem a simple plot at first glance, the author manages to keep the reader on tenterhooks right up to the fitting conclusion.
Serious Intent
Following retirement, Marigold Darwin returns to her home village. She meets two young boys, Mark and Steve, who hang around The Willows, where old Tom Morton lives. His housekeeper Ivy sometimes babysits Mark, although this may be a mistake. Neither boy is in the least concerned about others, regarding deception and theft as normal behaviour. The same is true of two friends, who have a seriously disturbed mother. Marigold is gradually drawn into the lives of all and becomes aware of serious parenting shortcomings, along with real fears and dangers. Tensions mount and in an intricate plot danger looms, with Marigold's own life being placed on the line.
A Small Deceit
This is a case of the chance meeting of two people, known to each other, who have both assumed false identities. William Adams was sent to prison for rape, and in order to avoid this being known upon following his release, when he embarks upon a series of scams, he hides behind his new persona. He then meets Desmond Baxter, who he recognises as the judge who sentenced him. But Baxter is not his real name. Why is he also hiding his identity? Might Adams indulge in a little blackmail? However, unknown to him, the judge has recognised Adams. After weaving many twists and turns, with her usual skill Margaret Yorke presents the reader with a wholly unexpected outcome.
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Devil's Work Page 19