Instances of the Number 3 (Hardcover)

This is not an account of feminine jealousy, or even revenge, instead its a story of negotiation and discovery as the characters orbit each other like little planets.

This is a fine successor to Vickers' hugely successful debut novel, Miss Garnett's Angel, a subtle story of an older woman's emotional epiphany set in contemporary Venice. --Eithne Farry

Review
There are many interlocking triangles in this novel from the author of last year's word-of-mouth triumph, Miss Garnet's Angel. Centrally, there's the threesome formed by Peter Hansome, his wife Bridget and his mistress Frances. When Peter dies, Bridget and Frances form an uneasy friendship, joined by the enigmatic Zahin, whom Peter had latterly befriended. Each of the main protagonists is themself the centre of their own threesome; and each has multiple aspects to their character - thus there's Peter as husband and lover, and also a ghostly Peter who watches over his loved ones and eventually manifests himself to Bridget. And overlaying all this are the Trinity and notions of heaven, hell and purgatory, with which Peter had become increasingly fascinated before his death, taking instruction in Catholicism from Father Gerard. Despite this very carefully structured plot, the book is never heavy-handed. Vickers's voice is firm but subtle, ironic and measured, the strongest emotions often conveyed in tones of great restraint. This is a book that engages the intellect as much as, if not occasionally more than, the emotions, but there is plenty to savour in this highly original novel. (Kirkus UK)

Wise and wryly tender tale in which a dead man's divided affections lead to unexpected revelations-and alliances-as the women he loved learn to live without him. Low-key and refreshingly unponderous meditations on the number 3, Purgatory, and forgiveness give Vickers's already intelligent story appealing heft. Peter Handsome is in his early 60s when he's killed in a London traffic accident. Wife Bridget, an antiques dealer who escaped her abusive father in Ireland as soon as she could, has since school found consolation in reading Shakespeare, especially Hamlet, to which she now turns as she grapples with sorrow. Her grieving is further complicated by a telephone call from Peter's not-entirely-unsuspected mistress, 40ish Frances Slater, who works in an art gallery. The two women meet ("It seems discourteous, somehow, to Peter if we don't meet, though I hardly know how we should conduct ourselves," observes Bridget) and begin a fraught but surprisingly resilient friendship. They are soon joined by the good-looking Iranian boy called Zahin, who Peter once helped and who now claims to be studying engineering though he seems more interested in keeping house. As the three uneasily connect, a ghostly Peter keeps his eye on Frances and Bridget. This could be hokey, but on balance it works, as Peter recalls his past and his search for the perfect woman, which led him to an ultimately fatal relationship with Iranian prostitute Zelda. While Peter learns the redemptive ways of Purgatory, Bridget begins to make a new life, as does Zahin after certain confessions, and Frances also finds surprising new happiness. Not as surefooted as Vickers's delightful Miss Garnet's Angel (2001), but still a deliciously urbane and affecting love story with an intriguing difference. (Kirkus Reviews)

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