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Helen West #6
Without Consent
Prosecutor Helen West views the whole subject with a jaundiced eye. In this case, she doesn't even like the officer accused, the volatile and compulsively unfaithful DS Ryan, friend of her lover, Superintendent Bailey. Ryan maintains a stubborn silence in the face of the charge but when the physical evidence against him proves to be unusually strong, West and Bailey assume his guilt.
Until slowly, preoccupied as they are with their own loves and loyalties, a different suspect begins to emerge. A man who knows the law and how to avoid it. A man who believes that there is no such thing as rape when the victim welcomes him. And there is no legal formula to deal with someone who brings chocolates and flowers, leaves without a trace, corrupts the witness with her own shame and learns to kill with impunity . . .
Until slowly, preoccupied as they are with their own loves and loyalties, a different suspect begins to emerge. A man who knows the law and how to avoid it. A man who believes that there is no such thing as rape when the victim welcomes him. And there is no legal formula to deal with someone who brings chocolates and flowers, leaves without a trace, corrupts the witness with her own shame and learns to kill with impunity . . .
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 7, 1996
9 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Frances Fyfield
82 books65 followersAka Frances Hegarty.
Frances Fyfield is a criminal lawyer, who lives in London and in Deal, by the sea which is her passion. She has won several awards, including the CWA Silver Dagger.
She grew up in rural Derbyshire, but spent most of her adult life in London, with long intervals in Norfolk and Deal, all inspiring places. She was educated mostly in convent schools; then studied English at Newcastle University and went on to qualify as a solicitor, working for what is now the Crown Prosecution Service, thus learning a bit about murder at second hand. She also worked for the Metropolitan Police.
Years later, writing became her real vocation. She also writes short stories for magazines and radio and is occasionally a contributor to Radio 4, (Front Row, Quote Unquote, Night Waves,) and presenter of Tales from the Stave.
Frances Fyfield is a criminal lawyer, who lives in London and in Deal, by the sea which is her passion. She has won several awards, including the CWA Silver Dagger.
She grew up in rural Derbyshire, but spent most of her adult life in London, with long intervals in Norfolk and Deal, all inspiring places. She was educated mostly in convent schools; then studied English at Newcastle University and went on to qualify as a solicitor, working for what is now the Crown Prosecution Service, thus learning a bit about murder at second hand. She also worked for the Metropolitan Police.
Years later, writing became her real vocation. She also writes short stories for magazines and radio and is occasionally a contributor to Radio 4, (Front Row, Quote Unquote, Night Waves,) and presenter of Tales from the Stave.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 27, 2023
Helen West #6: London is being plagued by a serial rapist. As Helen and her partner, high ranking policeman, Geoff Bailey are talking wedding, why am I mentioning this now? The prime suspect is one of Geoff's colleagues! To make matter even more dire the the victims start dying off! Another impressive episode of this Helen West series, with multiple viewpoints and well thought out multi-faceted characterisations. Above all Fyfield is able to write some pretty heinous behaviour with enough ambiguity to keep a hold of the stories she wants to tell. 7 out of 12, strong Three Star Read
2010 read
2010 read
September 2, 2015
Disappointingly and unfortunately, the last of the Helen West mysteries. I always enjoy these, but this one is especially good.
This one revolves around rape (that is not recognized as such) and false identification. But more than anything it is a character driven novel as all of hers are. What makes these so goods is the complicated characters. Even the villains are complicated.
I highly recommend this series to fans of Prime Suspect (with Helen Mirren).
This one revolves around rape (that is not recognized as such) and false identification. But more than anything it is a character driven novel as all of hers are. What makes these so goods is the complicated characters. Even the villains are complicated.
I highly recommend this series to fans of Prime Suspect (with Helen Mirren).
November 9, 2013
awful...makes no sense at all...gave up halfway
August 9, 2011
I've had Without Consent by Frances Fyfield on my book shelf for years. It was recommended to me but I can't remember where. It could have been in the Mystery Reader's Journal or possibly Foreward Magazine. All I can remember is I thought, "oh, this sounds good", and I promptly ordered two books by the author and then put them on the shelf for someday. The someday arrived.
Without Consent is about rape. Rape, the definition, rape as seen from many angles and many perspectives. I don't think you could read this without thinking about your own feelings on the subject. The bulk of the story is told by Helen West, Crown Prosecutor. Helen is a complicated woman and Fyfield has done a great job revealing enough of what makes her tick to keep us interested and wanting more. Her role as prosecutor is frustrating to say the least. She must decide what cases have a chance and leave others behind. "The best level of success in a rape case was the victim being believed; and then believed to the extent that there was no room for the jury to be distracted by sympathy for the accused". Powerful statement.
Supporting cast includes Helen's lover, a senior police officer, Detective Sergeant Ryan, of The Rape Unit, accused of rape, himself. In addition there are a myriad of other sorry victims and those their counterpart of possible suspects of the crime. I was not surprised at the outcome but did like how Fyfield got there. Psychological, dreary, the continued examination of what rape is, make this a provoking read.
What's truly splendid about Without Consent is how each chapter begins with a piece of the law about rape. "It is an offence (British spelling) for a man to rape a woman." Consent becomes a a key to the whole.
Helen West is featured in other Fyfield novels. Without Consent stands well enough on its own and I didn't feel lost not having read any others. I've also discovered that a few of the stories have been made into movies and I'm definitely going to watch these.
Without Consent is about rape. Rape, the definition, rape as seen from many angles and many perspectives. I don't think you could read this without thinking about your own feelings on the subject. The bulk of the story is told by Helen West, Crown Prosecutor. Helen is a complicated woman and Fyfield has done a great job revealing enough of what makes her tick to keep us interested and wanting more. Her role as prosecutor is frustrating to say the least. She must decide what cases have a chance and leave others behind. "The best level of success in a rape case was the victim being believed; and then believed to the extent that there was no room for the jury to be distracted by sympathy for the accused". Powerful statement.
Supporting cast includes Helen's lover, a senior police officer, Detective Sergeant Ryan, of The Rape Unit, accused of rape, himself. In addition there are a myriad of other sorry victims and those their counterpart of possible suspects of the crime. I was not surprised at the outcome but did like how Fyfield got there. Psychological, dreary, the continued examination of what rape is, make this a provoking read.
What's truly splendid about Without Consent is how each chapter begins with a piece of the law about rape. "It is an offence (British spelling) for a man to rape a woman." Consent becomes a a key to the whole.
Helen West is featured in other Fyfield novels. Without Consent stands well enough on its own and I didn't feel lost not having read any others. I've also discovered that a few of the stories have been made into movies and I'm definitely going to watch these.
August 12, 2017
I've just had a look at other reviews and have reflected for the first time on the fact that, yes there is still a bit of mystery when you get to the end of the book, with the characters' motives and personalities not being clear cut. However, I loved this book and thought that the remaining weirdness and mystery did not detract from its excellence.
I especially enjoyed the creation of atmosphere (I could just imagine entering the drab, prosaic home of the character Shelley's parents, for example). The social observations were also original, but at the same time I found they resonated. The fact that sometimes information was inferred or loosely implied through characters' thoughts and observations added to the narrative in my view, making it more realistic and allowing for the reader's own interpretion to a certain extent (as happens in real life). I suppose also that some elements of the narrative were left open as they related to a sub-plot as some characters reappear in other Helen West books (though this is the first I've read).
I especially enjoyed the creation of atmosphere (I could just imagine entering the drab, prosaic home of the character Shelley's parents, for example). The social observations were also original, but at the same time I found they resonated. The fact that sometimes information was inferred or loosely implied through characters' thoughts and observations added to the narrative in my view, making it more realistic and allowing for the reader's own interpretion to a certain extent (as happens in real life). I suppose also that some elements of the narrative were left open as they related to a sub-plot as some characters reappear in other Helen West books (though this is the first I've read).
September 24, 2022
This police procedural centers on the difficulty of making a rape prosecution stick because of the narrow definition of "rape" in British law as of 1996 and the evidentiary rules that stack the deck against accusers. The serial rapist in this novel is well-versed in these technicalities and finds ways to violate women that fall just short of a winnable case.
Though there is not much suspense, I'm giving this 5 stars because it is rare (unfortunately) to find a novel about sexual assault that's so thoroughly and clearly on the side of the women victimized, never allowing the details of their attack to become prurient and objectifying, and completely sympathetic to "unlikable" or "unreliable" accusers (chosen by the perpetrator for just those qualities that make them poor witnesses in court).
Though there is not much suspense, I'm giving this 5 stars because it is rare (unfortunately) to find a novel about sexual assault that's so thoroughly and clearly on the side of the women victimized, never allowing the details of their attack to become prurient and objectifying, and completely sympathetic to "unlikable" or "unreliable" accusers (chosen by the perpetrator for just those qualities that make them poor witnesses in court).
June 14, 2024
A well made detective novel about rape, but not my literary cup of tea. I think the issue is seriously and thoroughly dealt with, but found it was, from a reader’s point of view, overlabouring its point.
I do not wish to be misunderstood. I take rape seriously, but did not enjoy the novel as a novel.
I do not wish to be misunderstood. I take rape seriously, but did not enjoy the novel as a novel.
February 13, 2022
Spiky, unconventional characters in the law and police collaborate and work against each other to find justice for attacked women and a colleague accused of assault. Over 25 yrs old but issues and attitudes still relevant and common.
September 2, 2018
Quick ok read
March 18, 2020
Ennuyant.
Pourtant le sujet est intéressant: le viol, traité en plus d'un point de vue juridique.
98 pages sans se trouver attachée alors je l'ai abandonné .
Pourtant le sujet est intéressant: le viol, traité en plus d'un point de vue juridique.
98 pages sans se trouver attachée alors je l'ai abandonné .
July 30, 2023
Clear cut magnificent story examining concent according to Law. A subject as valid today as when it was written. Fyfield is one of the great crime writers up there with Sayers and Christie.
March 7, 2013
At the U. library I found a number of Fyfield's books from the 1990s published in America in attractive hardbound editions. So I reckon I owe the editorial ladies who do lunch an apology; they apparently gave Frances Fyfield an audience here and not enough of us Yanks appreciated them. Too bad; she is the best.
But I didn't find this story featuring Helen West terribly compelling and her policeman boyfriend a bit crude. The villain, however, is kinky as all get out, but we really need a lot more information and back story and personal details. I liked Golddigger and The Nature of the Beast much better.
But I didn't find this story featuring Helen West terribly compelling and her policeman boyfriend a bit crude. The villain, however, is kinky as all get out, but we really need a lot more information and back story and personal details. I liked Golddigger and The Nature of the Beast much better.
August 1, 2012
Picked up while in Tacoma.
Not a pretty subject, rape. But I have to say that this exposition on the subject in the form of a well written murder mystery was quite extraordinary. Never had heard of Frances Fayles but I am in awe both of the writing and the two characters Bailey and West that she draws out. And I really appreciated the legal detail of it all.
"The best level of success in the case of a rape case was the victim being believed; and then believed to the extent that there was no room for the jury to be distracted by sympathy for the accused."
Not a pretty subject, rape. But I have to say that this exposition on the subject in the form of a well written murder mystery was quite extraordinary. Never had heard of Frances Fayles but I am in awe both of the writing and the two characters Bailey and West that she draws out. And I really appreciated the legal detail of it all.
"The best level of success in the case of a rape case was the victim being believed; and then believed to the extent that there was no room for the jury to be distracted by sympathy for the accused."
March 26, 2025
A very short but eloquent book, full of deep insight. It takes the difficult subject of rape and illustrates how it damages lives in so many different ways. The author writes sympathetically yet dispassionately and the characters, for the most part, are likeable. Yet all are flawed, making the events and the mistakes they make more believable. The antagonist is suitably despicable and creepy, yet finally and surprisingly, merely pathetic. A spare, elegantly written novel that wastes no time getting to its main themes. A very worthy book to pass the time and ponder.
September 27, 2011
I just love the author's characters. This book moved along so smoothly and just when you thought you knew what was happening, you're only partly right! But this is what a good mystery should be like.
March 27, 2015
I felt that there wasn't much depth to the story or the characters. I don't know if it was because it was so short or for other reasons. There were flashes of great writing & I will try to find another novel by the author. I was just a little disappointed with this one.
January 17, 2008
Eh, not so good. Too caught up in legalize.
Want to read
August 28, 20126in series
March 5, 2013
Well written, although I did have some trouble following who was speaking or doing what-- and it was a gritty and graphic story of rape/ Not sure I'd want to read another of her books.
December 21, 2016
Very, very weird. Too disjointed, and in the end I didn't really understand the villain's motivations.
October 1, 2019
Het is een aardig boek
September 7, 2012
good suspense, but the character of Helen the lady-lawyer seemed a little bit of a cliche.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews