The Shape of Snakes
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Amazon.co.uk Review
In 1978, a single black woman known locally as "Mad Annie" lies dying in the roadside. When a verdict of accidental death is recorded, residents of Graham Road, where she lived, breathe a collective sigh of relief. As far as they were concerned Annie Butts was a repellent alcoholic with a foul mouth. It is only Mrs Ranelagh, a young teacher who refuses to accept the court's decision. Something convinced her that Annie was murdered and 20 years later she returns from overseas with enough evidence to reopen the case.
Although the story is narrated by Mrs Ranelagh, the inclusion of much of the documentary evidence she has amassed including photographs, letters and e-mails, gives the reader the freedom to interpret characters and events for themselves. Motivation remains an endless source of fascination for Walters and the presence of several of Mrs Ranelagh's psychiatric reports, ensures that the reasons behind her commitment to the case also remain ambiguous.
Shape of Snakes is a masterful piece of writing that probes deeply into the mind of an isolated, bruised woman, showing remarkable psychological insight. Using her unrivalled talent for characterisation, Walters examines the ease with which we accept the public persona as an accurate representation of the true nature of an individual. In peeling back the layers of this public face, Walters has created a dark and uncomfortable novel--a compelling read that reinforces her position as one of this country's most skilful crime writers. --Sarah Crawford --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Maxim Jakubowski, Guardian
'A complex psychological story with hidden depths.'
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Ms Walters' writing has taken a turn for the worse.,
By Janice Wizinowich (Kamuela, HI USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Shape of Snakes (Hardcover)
In the past I have really enjoyed all of Walters' books, however, she has taken a turn out into left field with "The Shape of Snakes". It is tedious, repetitive and slow moving. We are treated to one letter after another, which content are often a restatement of facts and details. I have little or no sympathy for the main characters as well as for the seemingly endless and sometimes baffling string of tawdry characters she parades throughout the story. Based on this book, I have cancelled my order for "Acid Road", which promises to be "The Shape of Snakes" in a different dilapidated location. MS. Walters, please come back to us!!!!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
A gripping read but....,
By
This review is from: The Shape of Snakes (Paperback)
Nowhere near as good as previous offerings - in particular, The Sculptress. It was difficult to feel any empathy with or sympathy for the central character. On balance I felt that fewer characters, more fully developed, would have made for a better read. Despite other reviewers' opinions, I found the plot(and the range of bizarre 'coincidences'it contained) totally beyond credibility and this spoiled the book for me. Come on Minette - you can do better than this!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
disappointing,
By A Customer
This review is from: The Shape of Snakes (Paperback)
A muddled plot, hazy characterisation and a degree of outright nastiness not usual in this author's writing. I am still not quite sure who the murderer was and why the main character decided to persue her idea of justice twenty years after the evvent. The cat torture was unecessary to the convoluted plot. I read to the end but found myself none the wiser when I had done so. Was Minette Walters just jumping on the Steven Lawrence bandwagon? It made for an uneasy read lacking the psychological insight she is known for. She can do so much better!
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