The Shape of Snakes
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Product Description
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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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format: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
Format: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
Format: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!
Most Recent Customer Reviews
A cleverly written plot
I actually appreciated this novel more than some of the readers who have published reviews.
The book wasn't exactly an easy read, but I found it rewarding. Read more
The book wasn't exactly an easy read, but I found it rewarding. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Avid reader
Never received product
The book is great but I had to purchase it elsewhere because I never received the one I ordered from Amazon.uk. They re-shipped it but I still don't have it. :(
Published 13 months ago by daphdaph
Another let-down
I've read several of Ms Walter's novels, and most seem to be complete let-downs. I appreciate she's a competent writer, but her plotting is abysmal. Read more
Published on 25 April 2010 by Dr Garry
A most unpleasant heroine
I normally enjoy Minette Walters' books but with The Shape of Snakes I soon became bogged down with repetitive and often contradictory detail. Read more
Published on 12 Jan 2010 by Liz
Read in one sitting
I picked this book up from a charity shop a few years ago, and finally got round to reading it yesterday. Wow - once I picked it up I couldn't put it down! Read more
Published on 8 Jan 2010 by Sagar Fuzz
Disappointing
I have previously read and enjoyed a few of Minette Walters books and was really looking forward to trying this one....but it was a complete let down. Read more
Published on 23 Aug 2008 by H. NORTH
Strange, cruel, complex - sometimes a little off, but generally...
I too find the criticisms laid against this novel odd. The entire point is to revisit the events, constantly picking apart people's stories, revealing half-truths and lies, all the... Read more
Published on 29 Jun 2007 by N. Sones
Sour
This book concerns Mrs Ranelagh (her full first name is never given) investigating the death of a former neighbour, a black woman with Tourette's syndrome, which took place 20... Read more
Published on 28 Mar 2007 by Reptile
Close to home
Annie Butts suffered from Tourettes Syndrome. Her neighbours consider her a nuisance, an alcoholic with too many cats and they are relieved when she dies in the gutter believed to... Read more
Published on 3 Jan 2007 by P.M. Wood
Couldn't put it down
I thought this was an excellent book and I loved the way it was written, I especially liked all the different reports and letters. Read more
Published on 2 July 2006 by Kirsty Hall
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