Serious Intent [Mass Market Paperback]

Margaret Yorke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1997

Richard Garrett lives in a beautiful house with his second wife, Verity, and her two children from a previous marriage. But soon after their wedding, Richard discovers that his new wife is a depressed alcoholic with violent mood swings. Richard slowly finds himself drawn into an unlikely friendship with his neighbor, Marigold. After Marigold's house is burglarized, Richard's concern for her drives Verity into a fit of jealousy which quickly spirals into a dangerous reign of domestic terror that threatens to destroy more than just their marriage.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Fatherless boys-some of whom yield to bad company, others to good influence-give British writer Yorke's latest a strong emotional dimension. Self-reliant Mark lives with his unmarried mother; angry, thieving Steve with his widowed stepmother. Together they while away afternoons with aged invalid Tom Morton at his home, The Willows. Up the road at Merrifields lives Richard Gardner, a generous man of great patience, with his abusive, manic-depressive wife, Verity, and her sons, vulnerable Terry and tough, rude Justin. As village incidents of vandalism, arson and burglary escalate, each of the boys falls under suspicion. When Tom dies, homely retired spinster Marigold Darwin buys his house. Here Yorke's trademark suspense kicks in: Alan, the man Tom raised as a son, has completed a prison sentence for his wife's murder and finds he is disinherited. Determined to dig up his murder weapon under the shed at The Willows so he can start a new life in crime, Alan nurses his rage, and it's only a matter of time before he claims a new victim. Yorke works a subtle psychological study of bad behavior, yet leaves the reader free to root for the triumphs of those who choose to act decently. Mystery Guild featured alternate.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Once again, Yorke offers an engaging combination of psychological intensity and murderous intent in an English village setting. The secrets of two neighboring houses cause problems for their inhabitants, especially when a killer comes to reclaim a hidden lethal weapon. For all collections.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Mysterious Press (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446405140
• ISBN-13: 978-0446405140
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 7 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,120,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quiet menace sets the mood, July 25, 2004

By 

Lynn Harnett (Marathon, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Serious Intent (Hardcover)

In the calm sinister voice perfected by a few British mystery authors, Yorke delivers a quiet tale of domestic misery and malice.

The tidy village of Haverscot presents a harmonious face to the world but at its heart secret tensions and resentments are building. Long-suffering Richard Garrett's second marriage is failing under the weight of his helpless wife's wild mood swings and drinking and his stepsons' growing resentment. An old man dies after a visit from his murderer son. The boys who cared for him continue to haunt his house in diverse ways, having a profound effect on the retired spinster who buys the place.

York's characters cross and re-cross paths in the daily course of village life, building up a web of secrets, misunderstandings and emotional encounters while the reader waits tensely for the straw which upsets the delicate balance.

This is a story entirely of mood and character, with the most likable characters naturally facing the highest risk. Veteran writer Yorke produces another winner.

5.0 out of 5 stars true psychological suspense, July 6, 2002

By 

Kathylene Privitera (Augusta, WV United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Serious Intent (Hardcover)

this thought provoking story is Margaret Yorke at her best. She again serves up an intelligent, forthright look at modern life, warts & all!! It is filled with quiet menace, something she is SO good at doing. My only problem with Margaret Yorke is that she doesn't write new books fast enough, hence my second reading of "Serious Intent" It was just as good as the first time!!