A Tidy Ending (not an A to Z post)

I read 'The Trouble with Goats and Sheep' by Joanna Cannon about six months ago and came across a review of 'A Tidy Ending', probably on the Guardian, and have thoroughly enjoyed this one as well. I commented to Monkey that in modern novels now the way you signpost the interesting characters is by making them not interested in smartphones and the internet. Socially awkward people also seems to be a common trope used to put people outside the normal social relationships. Linda's husband has an old computer but she barely knows how to turn it on. She works part time at the local charity shop, does crossword puzzles and cleans somewhat maniacally. There were a few references to a dislike of germs but it wasn't overplayed. They have just moved house (but only across the estate) and she becomes obsessed with Rebecca, the previous occupant. Just as we are getting to know her the murders start, and continue in the background as Linda struggles to try and make her life more like the perfect one in Rebecca's magazines. Also in the background is Linda's childhood, her neurotic mother and an incident that led indirectly to her father's death. 

I sussed out the denouement about three quarters of the way through but continued to enjoy watching the story unfold, and unravel. It was cleverly plotted, though there were no hints that Linda was cleverer than she appeared on the surface. 

Here's a nice quote with the postman in (though, what the fuck, postmen rarely arrive after breakfast, but they always do in stories):

"The next day, I had an eye open for the postman after breakfast, wondering if he'd bring me something else. I kept getting up from my crossword and watching him through the window, and he didn't disappoint. He marched down the path with something plugged into his ear, chatting away to fresh air like people do, and a great pile of things in his arms. Everything was for us. Except they weren't for us at all, they were for Rebecca Finch. Two big catalogues this time, one all about home furnishings and the other filled with different kinds of makeup. I'd never bothered much with makeup, but looking at the befores and afters on the front made me wonder if it was worth having a rethink, because it appeared as though you could turn yourself into a whole new person if you put your mind to it. I shouldn't have opened them, but it didn't feel quite as bad if you'd already done it before, which is a bit like being a serial killer, I suppose." (p.29)

Stay safe. Be kind. Recycle those catalogues.

p.s. the osprey are back