The Killer and the Slain by Hugh Walpole

The Killer and the Slain: 

A Strange Story 

Hugh Walpole 

1942 

5/5 stars

The less known about the plot going in, the better, in my opinion.  Most of the blurbs give details, which may or may not spoil the reader's enjoyment.  I would have preferred to have known less, though, so I'm only going to say that this follows mild-mannered, often bullied, John Talbot as he becomes a different man after an act of violence.  

The story is one of Good and Evil, of the crumbling of the barriers that make a human act "decently", of effects that can snowball from the actions of one person.  Walpole's posthumously published macabre psychological study is emotional, suspenseful, believable, and sometimes frightening.  It's not a story one "enjoys"; it caused me tension, discomfort, and unease -- as was intended.  It is excellently written overall, with a most gratifying ending.  As an experience of the depths of a lost mind, the Killer and the Slain was exceptional.

I will note that those not believing in an Agent of Evil and a Deity of Good, may not find it as moving or satisfying as I did.  

The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley

The Seven Sisters

Lucinda Riley

2014

3/5 stars

The Seven Sisters is the first in a series that follows a set of adopted sisters as they heal from the loss of their father, consider their unknown past, and make decisions for the future.  This book sets the scene by introducing the sisters and then follows Maia, the eldest who is in thrall to her past, in her quest to uncover her birth-family's history in Rio.

This is not my typical genre (a combo of historical and contemporary romance/fiction) but I enjoyed it.  I did have quibbles with some of the plot, but for the most part found it engaging and intelligent, and with characters I came to care about.  At one point, I feared it was taking a predictable and trope-ish turn, but was pleasantly surprised.  In the end I found the Seven Sisters, if not fully original, both interesting and well-written enough to continue the series.

By the way. . .

 I'm bookstagramming again.