Mrs. Munck

by Ella Leffland

Rose Munck est à la fois l'héroïne et la narratrice d'une histoire cruelle de haine et de vengeance mais aussi de découverte de soi. Ce roman tient du huis-clos passionnel et du policier psychologique - le suspense est habilement entretenu et le dénouement insoupçonnable.

Genres: Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

Reviews

[Gail Kennon · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting and sometimes tense situation..with intriguing main character and good solution but main male protagonist no fully drawn and was too long for my taste. but overall i am glad i read it.

[E Wilson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book profiled in the book "1001 Midnights" which covers lots of great mystery books. Mrs. Munck was described as in the psychological suspense genre.

It definitely was not a mystery, and the only suspense was whether Rose was going to kill Mr Leary or not. Both characters were so unlikeable that I didn't really care one way or the other.

Rose grew up on a farm with parents who were cold and unnurturing. She leaves the farm and finds a job in the city.
Her much older boss, Mr. Leary , seduces her and then abandons her.

It is now 25 years later. Rose's husband has just died and Rose
sets out to take revenge on Mr. Leary. Her late husband was his nephew so she is still in touch with Mr. Leary's son. She calls the son and offers to take over the care of Mr. Leary who is in a nursing home. Of course, Mr. Leary is terrified when he finds out who he's being left with.

Rose's husband's death gave her the opportunity to take her revenge, but also to come out of the shell she has been in. She talks to neighbors and storekeepers that she previously ignored. She takes an interest in her looks and clothes. She even has an affair with a stranger who has come to town. This all makes the story disjointed and a lot of what Rose does just doesn't make sense. I think the book would have been much better if the author would have really focused on the relationship of Rose and her hostage.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dark story because it is full of disappointment and revenge. However, it is well written and, on some level, satisfying. The narrator, Mrs. Munck, comes full circle in her life and avenges herself on those who hurt her most.

[Caroleena Stantonova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised by the cleverness and illustration of karma. A dilly of a read!