A Question of Guilt

by Janet Tanner

A woman’s search for the truth leads her into terrible danger in this compelling tale of suspense.  Following a skiing accident, journalist Sally Proctor is recuperating at her parents’ rural Somerset home when she hears about a local man, Brian Jennings, who’s been jailed for arson. His sister, convinced of his innocence, is campaigning for his release – and Sally decides to help her by conducting her own enquiries. As she starts to uncover serious discrepancies in the original investigation, Sally and her family are threatened by a series of increasingly menacing incidents. It soon becomes clear that someone will go to any lengths to stop her finding out the truth.

299 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 2013

About the author

Janet Tanner is a prolific and well-loved author and has twice been shortlisted for RNA awards. Many of her novels are multi-generational sagas, and some – in particular the Hillsbridge Quartet – are based on her own working class background in a Somerset mining community. More recently, she has been writing historical and well-received gothic novels for Severn House – a reviewer for Booklist, a trade publication in the United States, calls her “a master of the Gothic genre.” Besides publication in the UK and US, Janet’s books have also been translated into dozens of languages and published all over the world. Before turning to novels she was a prolific writer of short stories and serials, with hundreds of stories appearing in various magazines and publications worldwide. Janet Tanner lives in Radstock, Somerset.

Reviews

[Kate Vale · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes I'd like this story, but couldn't seem to get into it, in spite of the fact that it begins with journalist Sally Proctor home and recuperating from a skiing accident that leaves her with a broken leg. To counteract her boredom at having nothing to do, she decides to look into a mystery that involves two women almost lost in a fire of suspicious origin. The sister of the man ultimately convicted of the crime claims he was framed, that he couldn't possibly have done it, but the circumstantial evidence that he was stalking one of the women is strong. Making things harder for Sally, however, is the fact that that young woman is now dead--from what looks like an accidental hit-and-run, but which she suspects is not.

Then the people she tries to interview act strangely, she starts receiving phone calls at night but no one answers when she picks up the phone. Got it? More mystery, and then more danger--for her, when she's chased one evening and things ramp up from there.

Disappointing that my interest wasn't held--even though it ends an an up note.

[Ginger Mcclintick · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading this author's books and it won't be the last loved the book.

[Marie (UK) · Rating 3 out of 5]

an easy and entertaining read. I thought I had it sussed but not early enough

[DrJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel has received rather poor ratings on Goodreads, which I strongly disagree with.
Caveat - I did listen to the unabridged version read by the highly skilled Patience Tomlinson, but I can't imagine that it doesn't translate equally as well on the page.
Sally Proctor has a skiing accident and has to temporarily return to her childhood home. Understandably, she's bored to tears, so starts researching - as she's a journalist - a local fire. Things escalate and Sally finds herself caught up in a mystery.
This is one of the most believable stories in this genre that I have read. It's not a thriller, but it's a psychological crime / mystery novel, with a strong plot and characters, some of whom are not that pleasant, that are all well drawn and very real.
Perhaps that's why others haven't liked it. It is realistic; I could imagine this happening to someone.
It's also cleverly written, as you can see that you are being drawn to one of two conclusions, but you know it's too obvious, and it took me a while to spot the final two twists.
I have to reiterate again how good Patience Tomlinson is as a reader. She had an amazing array of voices so it was very clear who was speaking. I can still hear one of the characters saying "Sally"! She builds tension well with her reading without being overly dramatic, and I could hear and understand every word. The 5 * rating should be for the reader alone.
When deciding on a rating I always think, would I happily read this again? Answer is yes. Did I enjoy it all the way through without getting bored or counting how much is left? Yes. Did it transport me and then leave me with a satisfactory conclusion? Yes. Am I still thinking about it afterwards and will I remember it in a year or two year's time? This is the only downfall, I'm not sure.
So I'm giving it 4.5 stars, but rounding it up, as I feel terrible for the author, Janet Tanner, that so many people have not given it the attention and patience it deserves, as it is a slow burner. But my one uncertainty means it's not going on the favourites shelf.
If you enjoy audio, and you can listen to this version with Patience Tanner, go for it. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[Leslie Zampetti · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting premise & decent review in Booklist. Just couldn't get into it & put it aside.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

interesting premise, nice, light, and fun though not very deep or great.