The Daily Mail, Feb 2003
"A very British thriller; it deals with notions of class, privilege and inheritance, but also a healthy dose of earthy sexual tension...a page turner"
Heat Magazine, Feb 2003
"A gripping debut"
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The name Tolkien certainly carries before it a weighty reputation (the author is JRR’s grandson). But THE STEPMOTHER lives up to all expectations – though a million miles away from the LORD OF THE RINGS. This novel is a psychological suspense/courtroom drama, with some cracking sexual tension between the stepmother of the title – beautiful and mysterious Greta Grahame – and the two main players – Peter Robinson MP and his teenage son. It had a very ‘classic’ mystery feel to it – part Patricia Highsmith, part PD James, part Hitchcock screenplay!
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
nameA whodunnit in the classic mould with the 'perp' unnamed until the final chapters. Tolkien weaves us a tale of coutroom intrigue and flawed relationships which effortlessly draws us in. Interestingly it is not simply that we don't know if the accused is guilty but whether any of the witnesses have hidden motives that drives this plot. This subtle shift from the staple crime plot gives the book a freshness I enjoyed. The use of multiple perspectives in this context is fascinating as we get a glimpse inside each charaters head but never enough to be sure of the truth. I really enjoyed this book and felt that it was original in almost every way. So many crime books feel similar this is a breath of fresh Suffolk air.
Of course people are going to think of 'The Lord of the Rings' given not only the authors name but his relationship to JRR Tolkien but for better or worse this is a totally different type of book. The main similarity is the quality of writing but do look out for one or two names etc which are reminiscent of The Shire.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I enjoyed this debut novel. 'The Stepmother' is well paced and gritty and I felt the character development was spot on.
I only give it an average rating simply because it didn't really do what it set out to do! There was no 'spine-tingling' suspense (as promised) and as thrillers go, I feel it was more of a courtroom drama than a thrilling ride! An enjoyable courtroom drama all the same but there was no twists and turns and the plot was safe.
I would like to see something more meaty next time or ST could stick to what he appears to do best - another courtroom drama...
I only give it an average rating simply because it didn't really do what it set out to do! There was no 'spine-tingling' suspense (as promised) and as thrillers go, I feel it was more of a courtroom drama than a thrilling ride! An enjoyable courtroom drama all the same but there was no twists and turns and the plot was safe.
I would like to see something more meaty next time or ST could stick to what he appears to do best - another courtroom drama...
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Daily Mail, and Washington Post reviews:
Daily Mail: "A very British thriller . . . Definitely a page-turner."
Washington Post:
"A remarkably skilful, brilliantly conceived and beautifully executed... Read more
Washington Post:
"A remarkably skilful, brilliantly conceived and beautifully executed... Read more
Published on 23 Feb 2008 by Angel Silver
Fast paced
This story is gripping and moves at a pace which ensures you'll keep reading. One slight criticism is that the ending didn't really surprise me and I was still expecting some sort... Read more
Published on 12 April 2007 by misty
Review of The Stepmother
A good crime thriller, with pace, this made for an excellent holiday read. This was a who-dunnit with twists in the story and some well developed characters in a complex plot that... Read more
Published on 27 Nov 2005
final witnes
this is the same book as " the stepmother "but with a different title so don't be fooled into buying it if you already have " the stepmother"," final witness" was the name given to... Read more
Published on 17 Mar 2004 by liz Bentley
Dreadful
This is possibly one of the poorest books I have ever had the misfortune to try and read. I got as far as page 17. Read more
Published on 15 Jan 2004
The Stepmother - Review
A true thriller from start to finish. This story benefits from an author who has a comprehensive understanding of the English Legal system from his work as a barrister, a sharp wit... Read more
Published on 25 July 2003
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