My reading group read Ruth Dugdall's book, "The Woman before me" and I then read this earlier title relating the story of Maria Marten and the Red Barn murder in 19th century Polstead (Suffolk). The author takes this well known story looking at it from a different perspective. The story is told from the point of view of the stepmother,Ann Marten. Dugdall's thoughtful psychological approach offers an alternative motive and this combined with a decided flair for storytelling, make The James Version a grimly engaging read. 'Scapegallows' by Carol Birch would be a good follow up as would Dugdall's second novel, 'The woman before me', a contemporary psychological novel.
Looking forward to the third novel later in 2011!