The Black Country

An interesting idea lurks behind this odd book written, I was not surprised to discover, by an author studying for an MA in Creative Writing and who won a prize for outstanding achievement. It has Creative Writing stamped all over it.

Why, you wonder, is it written so conditionally? ‘Maddie,’ Harry would have said … He would have opened the curtains … He says he tried to stop himself …

You see what I mean?

A couple whose uneasy relationship seems as unreliable as that in Gone Girl are driving home, a little the worse for drink, when they accidentally knock someone over, someone they know – but they choose to drive quickly on. A hit and run. Next morning they feel they have to go back. The body has gone (you may not be surprised to learn) but his Patek Philippe watch is there, as is his wallet. What has happened? The story, and their relationship, becomes increasingly bizarre: this can’t be happening, and yet …

This is not a long book so, if you don’t find the style too irritating, you may race to the end – to a surprising revelation.