So far its not turned out to be a great page turner. I adored McMahons previous novels The Rose of Sebastopal and The Alchemist but this one didn't capture my interest so much.
So the story 25% in-thirty something female lawyer in the years just after WWI struggles with the personal loss of her beloved brother in the war, failed love affairs and a stifled career in law. Her deceased brothers girlfriend has just turned up at the door with her son who looks remarkable like her brother.

Part of me that is thinking of putting this book to one side as i cant summon up much enthausiasm to keep reading but im gonna give it a bit longer i think-it may grow on me. The courtroom scenes are interesting..i feel mortified with her at how sexist and horrible the judge is towards her and what a hard battle it must have been trying to forge a living in 1920s britain.

halfway thru noew-getting better and more itriqing as the pace quickens and things actually happen outside of her head.the character is very standoffish and often rude to people and im not sure why. doesnt make her very endearing.
Right ive finished it and i have mixed feelings about it. Started of very boring- sombre is probably the word Mchanon wants me to use. Once the murder investigation gets underway though and she starts sleuthing it picks up pace and is an enjoyable read.

I never really felt understood the motivations or emotions of the main charactrs and thats the main reason I mark it down from 4 stars. I like to be able to emphasise with my heroines but they were too closed and distant to the reader. The ending was left open and I probably would read a sequel if se wrote one.