Black Dagger Crime S.
2 total works
The Hours Before Dawn (1958) was Celia Fremlin's debut fiction, and won the Edgar Award for novel of the year from the Mystery Writers of America. Over time Fremlin would earn the soubriquet of 'the mistress of psychological suspense.' Louise Henderson is a young housewife and mother, trying her best to tend to a husband, two small daughters and a constantly crying baby. Her fatigue is such that she fears she is nearing psychosis; and she can't help but feel that a new lodger in the house, a seemingly respectable schoolmistress, poses a threat to her and her family. "Tightly plotted and admirably concise...Fremlin expertly ratchets up the tension, notch by notch". (Laura Wilson). "Highly intelligent entertainment, beautifully written with wit and humour". (Frances Fyfield). "It grips like grim death". (Spectator).
Uncle Paul (1959) was Celia Fremlin's second novel, and consolidated the success of her suspenseful debut The Hours Before Dawn.
Fifteen years ago Uncle Paul was exposed as a murderer by his wife Mildred, and sent to prison. Now a seaside holiday for Mildred's half-sister Isabel and her family seems to be the venue for Uncle Paul's revenge. Mildred arrives at a lonely cottage near to Isabel's caravan site, and Isabel's urgent summons to her sister Meg brings the three women together to play out a drama of fear and suspicion, betrayal and revenge.
'Beautifully played out to a startling and valid ending... Fremlin is here to stay as a major mistress of insight and suspense.' New York Times
'Fremlin puts a keen edge on the reader's curiosity and keeps it there... the writing is so good throughout.' Times Literary Supplement
Fifteen years ago Uncle Paul was exposed as a murderer by his wife Mildred, and sent to prison. Now a seaside holiday for Mildred's half-sister Isabel and her family seems to be the venue for Uncle Paul's revenge. Mildred arrives at a lonely cottage near to Isabel's caravan site, and Isabel's urgent summons to her sister Meg brings the three women together to play out a drama of fear and suspicion, betrayal and revenge.
'Beautifully played out to a startling and valid ending... Fremlin is here to stay as a major mistress of insight and suspense.' New York Times
'Fremlin puts a keen edge on the reader's curiosity and keeps it there... the writing is so good throughout.' Times Literary Supplement