The past is an inescapable noose around a young man's neck, in this blackly comic, satirical novel from renowned crime writer Bill James Britain, 1956. A young actress seemingly tries to commit suicide over a tangled love affair, but is taken to hospital and her life saved. The story is just the sort of thing that journalist Ian Charteris likes to cover: a poignant mix of near tragedy, possible thwarted romance, and glamour, needing sensitive but - of course - dramatic treatment. It should be a routine assignment, a welcome assignment. It would be, if it wasn't for the identity of the young woman. She may - just may - be Ian's sister. The unwelcome reminder of the past drags Ian back into memories of places and events he'd rather forget. As far as Ian is concerned, the past is a foreign country. And not just foreign. Fundamentally and cantankerously hostile. Vengeful, war-torn, dangerous. It is impossible to escape the past; the noose is already around Ian's neck, and every step he takes it tightens ...And this is not the only noose.
- ISBN10 0727896857
- ISBN13 9780727896858
- Publish Date 30 April 2014 (first published 30 August 2013)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 2 June 2021
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Severn House Publishers Ltd
- Imprint Severn House Large Print Books
- Edition Large type / large print edition
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 320
- Language English