The Quivering Tree: An East Anglian Childhood

by S.T. Haymon

As a young girl, the author struggles to cope with the death of her father, her mother's absence, the two eccentric teachers with whom she lives, life in a Norwich girls' school, and approaching adolescence

Genres: Memoir, Biography Memoir

Hardcover

First published April 23, 1990

About the author

"One of the purest lyric voices in the mystery field" New York Times Book Review

Sylvia Theresa Haymon was born in Norwich, and is best known for her eight crime fiction novels featuring the character Inspector Ben Jurnet. Haymon also wrote two non-fiction books for children, as well as two memoirs of her childhood in East Anglia.

The Ben Jurnet series enjoyed success in both the UK and the US during Haymon’s lifetime: Ritual Murder (1982) won the prestigious CWA Silver Dagger Award from the Crime Writers' Association. Stately Homicide (1984), a skilful variation on the country house mystery, was praised by the New York Times as a 'brilliantly crafted novel of detection...stylish serious fiction', and favourably compared to the work of Dorothy L. Sayers.

Reviews

[Ruth Malcolm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed her writing style, very readable, and I learnt some new vocabulary!

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely book. Charming, humorous and exceptionally well-written. Recently re-published by Propolis books, Norwich.

[James Kinsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely bereft that there are only two volumes of this magnificent memoir to be consumed. Cannot recommend highly enough. Her wit, lightness of touch and most all the way she so endears her childhood self to readers make it a tragedy that she's not as well known amongst Norwich figures as the likes of Edith Cavell, Elizabeth Fry or Harriet Martineau.