NEW TITLE FROM SWWJ'S SCRIPTORA PUBLISHING TEAM : HER ALMOST PERFECT HUSBAND

As a member of the Society of Women Writers and Journalists, I often enjoy reading and reviewing some of the books that our assisted publishing arm - SCRIPTORA have published.

SCRIPTORA, which was originally created by one of our Vice Presidents, Mary Rensten, helps our Full and Associate members to branch out and enjoy seeing their books published in a genre that perhaps is new to them. It has since successfully continued, producing titles which have been well received.  A selection of our members’ books published via SCRIPTORA over the last few years can be viewed and ordered via our website www.swwj.co.uk.

 

The latest title in the SCRIPTORA PUBLISHING catalogue, newly released, has been written by Mary Rensten herself and is entitled HER ALMOST PERFECT HUSBAND.

 

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HER ALMOST PERFECT HUSBAND

by Mary Rensten

 

Money, lies, love, mystery and revenge form a fascinating backdrop to this enigmatic novel written pre-pandemic.

 

From the first page we sense tension between Emma and her handsome dark-eyed husband Andrew Raven. They appear to live a seemingly contented, perhaps dull life in their lovely home, much as their well-off families and contemporaries enjoy. The Ravens had celebrated their Silver Wedding anniversary a year earlier. They have known each other since childhood. Their only son, twenty-one year old Jacob, lives and works in South Africa.

 

Andrew’s business partner and best friend from university days, Bernie Silver, a divorce invites the couple to the funeral of Rose, his beloved mother. Everyone loved Rose.  For some reason, Andrew is uncomfortable and ill at ease during the funeral reception. Despite his wife’s concern and questioning, Andrew remains irritable and uncommunicative. A week later, he suffers a stroke and is hospitalised until a suitable nursing home is found for him.  Andrew’s absence from his home sets off a change of family situation which leads to unhappy and puzzling circumstances. We learn how the other half of society lives and contrasts so incredibly with the Ravens’ fortunate middleclass lifestyle.

 

Mary Rensten’s page-turner is set in Hertfordshire and Essex fictitious villages of 2015. The author’s descriptions of each of her main protagonists and family members, are sharp, well-observed and memorable. You simply can’t forget Emma’s dreary, but kind-hearted older sister, Constance!    

 

The little red notebook hidden away in the back of Andrew’s desk holds the secret the reader needs to know, and is the intriguing catalyst from we realise that something very strange had occurred in decades’ past. I found this novel a great read and and the denouemont is well worth the waiting.