Really disappointing. Mantel is such a good writer, and has such a great premise here, that when halfway through it just meanders off and goes nowhere--and one of the two main characters becomes increasingly strident and one-note--it's hard not to become angry. I guess this is why I usually don't go back and read earlier works of authors, if I've started (and liked) their later work, which is the case with me and Mantel.