Without Consent (Helen West Mystery) [Hardcover]

Frances Fyfield (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1997 | Series: Helen West Mystery

Prosecutor Helen West is a rare combination of jaundiced pragmatism and well-guarded vulnerability. When the overall evidence in a string of recent rape cases points to a police officer who is best friend to her craggy, rumpled lover, Superintendent Geoffrey Bailey, their brooding romance forms the bittersweet counterpoint to Helen's delving into this most upsetting of crimes.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

All of the guilt, pain, and ugliness that surrounds the crime of rape are woven deep into the fabric of Frances Fyfield's splendid novel about London prosecutor Helen West and her lover, high-echelon police officer Geoffrey Bailey. One of Bailey's protégés, a rough, unlovable sergeant named Ryan, has been accused of several rapes. Fyfield is so skilled at creating and maintaining suspense that we're never sure of Ryan's guilt or innocence until the very end, even though we know that another man, a mysterious doctor, is responsible for some of the vicious attacks. While the rape investigations unfold, West and Bailey make plans to be married, which is another event made believably uncertain by Fyfield's uncanny ability to probe human doubts and frailties. Other Fyfield books available in paperback include Perfectly Pure and Good, A Question of Guilt, and Shadows on the Mirror.

From Library Journal

Someone is assaulting women, causing humiliation in addition to physical harm. Helen West, a formidable London prosecutor, is drawn into the investigation when Detective Sergeant Ryan, a womanizer and close friend of her lover, Police Superintendent Geoffrey Bailey, is arrested for one of the attacks. While Helen and Geoffrey hunt the attacker, the reader follows the twisted psychology of the villain, who himself has been wounded beyond repair. In addition to the immediate problems of evidence gathering, the question of what distinguishes rape from other assaults adds interest and dimension to a most satisfying police procedural. The London setting and the variety of fully realized characters make this a surefire hit. Helen and Geoffrey?brooding, imperfect, loving?resemble the creations of Fyfield's (Perfectly Pure and Good, LJ 3/1/94) American counterparts Elizabeth George and Martha Grimes, with the added benefit of the author's firsthand knowledge as a London criminal lawyer. Highly recommended for all libraries.?Elsa Pendleton, Boeing Information Svcs., Inc., Ridgecrest, Cal.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; 1st US edition (November 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670876828
• ISBN-13: 978-0670876822
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,291,847 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Naivete betrayed, January 28, 2005

By 

Mary E. Sibley (Carneys Point, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Without Consent (Paperback)

This is an accomplished crime novel by a British writer that has a satisfying level of complexity in the plot. Helen West, prosecutor, was to marry Bailey. Ryan was Bailey's bag carrier. Elsewhere Aemon Connor and Brigid, his wife, bickered. There was an allegation of rape against Detective Sergeant Ryan. Helen West went to see Anna Stirland, a midwife, who had been raped and was not dealing with things well.

Ryan was suspended from duty and denied accesss to his office. A co-worker, Sally Smythe, and Ryan kept a book on cases where they believed the complaint but proof was lacking and critical information was missing. They had begun to theorize that there was a pattern. The author builds for the reader some of such cases as the mystery progresses.

Fortunately Bailey is not content to let Ryan twist under the implication he has committed an offense and Helen has a very deep liking for the truth. They continue to seek answers as a chilling end is reached.

5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great characters, February 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Without Consent (Paperback)

This is the second book I've read by Frances Fyfield. I really like her character descriptions- they are what make the book wonderful. The actual story is ok. I liked 'Blind Date', better. I plan on reading her other books. Anyone that likes quirky, realistic characters should read this book. Francis Fyfield has become my favorite new author.