the writer is a lonely hunter

So often I look back at my school days and wonder how on earth we used to accept certain behaviours as normal. From the teacher who would regularly hurl the wooden blackboard cleaner towards anyone misbehaving, to the poor souls spanked in assembly in front of the entire school, it was a whole different world to 2023. The Secret Life of Carolyn Russell by Gail Aldwin is partially set in the late 1970s and is a stark reminder of how life was so different for young girls back then. This is a clever, engaging and well-written mystery novel that will keep you guessing to the very end. It’s the perfect summer holiday read.

Our story is told by 2 similarly intriguing female protagonists. First we meet Stephanie, a small town journalist who is down on her luck – she’s just been made redundant and has had to rent out a…