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Well, Book Club, how did you like Sheep’s Clothing by Celia Dale? Dale wrote 12 novels and this was her last - she was 76 at time of publication, but would live until she was just a few weeks shy of her 100th birthday. I wonder how much of her own fears found their way into this chilling story. There’s no denying the novel’s bleakness, but what do you make of its defiance? As a piece of writing and particularly as a novel within the crime genre, I think it’s fiercely controlled, and puts a lot contemporary thrillers to shame in terms of pacing, plot and structure. I’m easily frustrated with the current trend for cinematic crescendos that suddenly launch the story into the realm of improbability, packed with action and drama that is just not consistent with the setting or the people in it. Even books that I’ve been enjoying the first 70% of can insist on an ending that is just too loud! too fast! and spoil the whole thing. I think there’s a lot to be learned from a writer as patient as Celia Dale. Sheep’s Clothing is only the second novel I’ve read by her but I was delighted to find it as quietly sinister as the first. What did you think of it? I have some questions for you below. Meet me in the comments.
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