#GorgeousAndAdorable #NetGalley
GORGEOUS AND ADORABLE: a tough-as-nails British thriller with a great deal of heart.
British thrillers have this traditional image of being cosy and fanciful, in the style of one Dame Agatha Christie. But England is also known as a tough-as-nails country with a great deal of grit to it, so I was very excited to read GORGEOUS AND ADORABLE, an epic 1970s-set thriller with heart.
The disappearance of Grandad Abbott has been obsessively on the minds of the "coppers" for quite a while, and his son, Brian, a violent thug, has met a grisly end. Jenny, recently widowed, and her son, Gary, are suspects. However, it is the appearance of a key witness by the name of Tina Castleton, the victim of an assault by Brian, that throws things into disarray. I loved the twists and turns of this dark, wry whodunnit, as well as the atmosphere, what with all the tough aspects of 1970s British life, replete with racism, sexism, and all that messy jazz that makes society worth putting under a magnifying glass. Meredith Vivian is definitely a name to be remembered in regard to British writers. 10 out of 5. Bloody solid effort!

This is not your standard thriller, mystery or even family drama. There is something raw and gritty about the characters, the setting and even the writing style. Just as shows like Peaky Blinders take you out of your real life and plonk you firmly in the time, city and culture where they are set, so too does this intriguing book. I must admit I was gripped from the moment Frey’s pies were mentioned - it was just so evocative of a time, class and culture. This book is a bit different but I loved it,