The Playroom

by Frances Hegarty

Kathryn and David are the ideal couple: she, petite, pretty; he, dark, debonair and gifted. But beneath the smooth surface, unseen by their envious or admiring friends, splinters are beginning to form. David suspects one of their two children is not his own, for plump and naughty Jeanetta does not conform with the controlled perfection with which he surrounds himself. Kathryn struggles to iron out family confrontations and maintain the calm of their lives together. But slowly things start to slip from her control. Bits of jewellery and items of clothing mysteriously go missing. David's mood swings become more irrational and violent. His drive to dominate and order the world he's created intensifies to the point of locking the playroom door and pocketing the key - a move that signals the final route into the chaos that will disrupt their perfect world.

Writing under a pseudonym, Frances Fyfield, a brilliant crime novelist has created a novel that strikes out boldly into new territory . . . elegantly written and unnerving (New York Times Book Review). A psychological thriller of the first order.--New York Daily News.

Genres: Mystery, Horror

310 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1, 1991

About the author

Frances Hegarty is the real name of Frances Fyfield; a criminal lawyer, an occupation on which she bases many of her novels. She divides her time between London and Deal, and has won several awards, notably the Crime Writers' Association Silver Dagger.

Reviews

[Harriet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeply upsetting but tense and powerful. Interesting analysis of how prejudices and assumptions, particularly about class, both upper and working, can blind people to the truth of a situation, and how people can be both victims and perpetrators.

Extremely unpleasant, and contains several graphic depictions of child abuse, as well as animal abuse.

As others have said, the blurb for this edition strongly suggests that this is a pulpy supernatural horror, which it definitely isn't. I think this probably accounts for the wild swing in star ratings for this book.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this harrowing psychological thriller, beautiful Katherine Allendale thinks she has everything: a doting, successful husband, two children, a magnificent home in the English countryside. Although her architect husband, David, manages their existence according to his own personal blueprint for perfection (including telling her how to dress and whom to befriend) Katherine has no complaints, and leaves unspoken what few qualms she does feel. Product of an impoverished childhood and a series of foster homes, Katherine clings blindly to the good life David has made for her, ever fearful that he who giveth might also lose his temper and taketh away. 

Absolutely brilliant and so apt at the moment to read about how psychological and emotional abuse can happen openly but people turn their eyes away. Frightening and terrifyingly realistic in characterisation and plot.

[Hugo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not quite the 'horror novel' the packaging and blurbs would make out, but a harrowing and exquisite psychological character study, creating horror in the everyday and the inevitable. Very much a novel that asks the reader to do their part in reading between the lines and providing essential empathies.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

eeeeeeeeek

[Myriam · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 would be more accurate. I'm torn here, overall I did not enjoy reading this book, the characters' inner monologues are hard to follow, I spent the first quarter of the book not really understanding what I was supposed to get, I found the plot too simple and some situations too convoluted at the same time, I didn't enjoy speding time in these people's lives, they were crass and a bit flat, the only people of colour are rapists, vagrants or speak a broken English if they speak at all. That's why I'm giving it a two.
However, the way it's written is interesting, this book really has its own feel to it, the psychological abuse is well-described, at first, you think this woman is a bit of a mess, then you get to see everything her husband is doing to destabilise her daily and you start to get it. You also get to see why she feels unable to protect her own children, why she feels she can't reach out to anyone and how people's pettiness destroys evrything.
There are things of value in this book but I still didn't have a nice time reading it.

[Tamara Bennett · Rating 1 out of 5]

horrible characters in a horribly slow story about incredibly self-absorbed & selfish ppl. ppl who either ignored, neglected &/or allowed another to abuse a small child. none of it interesting but all of it depressing & pitiful. took me too long to read it bc I had to keep putting it down to clear my mind in order to make myself feel better & cleaner.
also, NOT what I thought the story was about. bk jacket summary made it seem like it would be a ghost or horror story - not the real life type of horror.

[Jasmine · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yawwwwn. Wow, the blurb made this book sound like an awesome psychological thriller...let me save you the trouble. It was not. Don’t bother

[Rachael Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book but will not be suitable for all due to descriptions of child abuse. Don't let this put you off though it's an extremely important read but you should be prepared before reading

[Jessica Foley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not your typical horror story, but so much horror by the time you hit the end!

A slow build, and at some parts a slow read, but worth it in the end.

[Shelley · Rating 1 out of 5]

couldn't finish it. Although it has four stars I just kept waiting for something to happen and it just never got there for me.