Casting the First Stone

Description

A year after her husband's death, young widow and art collector Diana Porteous listlessly roams the beach near her home. Her friend and agent Saul takes action, introducing her to his stylish, anarchic sister, Sarah, to pep her up. They plan that Di should rediscover her talents as a thief, as well as art expert, to recover stolen paintings - and begin with Steven, the neighbour's son, who is amassing works of art in a strange building in London, including work stolen from his mother. But if Di is interested in his illicit treasures, he is equally fascinated by hers - and in the secrets still held in that house by the sea. . .

Frances Fyfield has spent much of her professional life practising as a criminal lawyer, work which has informed her highly acclaimed crime novels. She has been the recipient of both the Gold and Silver Crime Writers' Association Daggers. She is also a regular broadcaster on Radio 4, most recently as the presenter of the series 'Tales from the Stave'. She lives in London and in Deal, overlooking the sea which is her passion.

Frances Fyfield is an original...[she] writes with such persuasive beauty and emotional subtlety - The Times Fyfield has long found her way into the upper echelons of crime fiction by the dint of sharp psychological observation and stylish, elegant writing. Casting the First Stone is implacable; Fyfield customarily takes us into the less acceptable areas of her protagonists' behaviour, and here she takes this to a new level of intensity - Financial Times Fyfield has been described as the natural successor to American psychological writer Patricia Highsmith...because neither condemns the criminal behavious of their characters. There are some pleasingly unexpected twists as the plot reaches its denouement but it is the pairing of Sarah and Di that makes Casting the First Stone an enjoyable read. Spirited and engaging, the novel ends with the ballsy pair plotting their next heist together. Count us in. - Sunday Express [A] wonderfully atmospheric tale - Shots A very original take on the classic detective story . . . a crime novel with a difference - Essentials Magazine One of our best crime writers...Dark and twisty, this is an elegant and thrilling read - Catholic Herald Like all Fyfield's work, this is an elegant, original and subtle crime novel and highly recommended - Literary Review