Marian’s latest book is about Helen, the youngest of the Walsh sisters- we’ve already got to know the family through Watermelon, Rachel’s Holiday, Angels and Anybody Out There.
From the other novels we know that Helen is beautiful, has men falling at her feet, and that she doesn’t suffer fools gladly. We know that she is a Private Investigator and that sometimes Mammy Walsh helps out.
What The Mystery of Mercy Close shows us is that Helen has had a serious bout of depression, spending some time in hospital. She’s heading into another bout. She is terrified.
Marian often explores major issues in her deceptively light novels- I’ve been moved by tales of abusive realtionships, bereavement, infertility and addiction. I’ve never before been so connected with a book that my reactions mirrored those of the main character. Helen got anxious and panicky: I got anxious and panicky. I had to stop reading it- it seemed to make no sense that I had to take some diazepam to sit on the sofa and read fiction.
I got back to it eventually. I didn’t get anxious this time, not even when Helen bought a suicide kit. I began to wonder what had actually happened to Wayne from the reforming boyband Laddz, whom Helen had been hired to find.
There are a lot of characters in this novel and my 6 week break meant that I had some difficulty remembering who was who, but the mystery and the supporting cast are funny, comfy background, so it didn’t really matter.
The best crime novels use the ‘crime’ as a framework for exploring wider issues. Marian uses that type of structure (no one could really call this a crime or mystery novel) to consider the issues of both individuals and the country being broke and broken.
Finances, relationships, people- all are subject to change. How do we move forward? Where do we get help? Who are our friends? How do we look after ourselves?
Marian wrote this when dealing with her own mental health issues. I’m amazed she was able to write it at all. I’m going to have to read it again.
I was a late starter to book and reading and Marian Keyes Watermelon was the first book I read…
She’s proper laugh out loud funny
Great stuff, another writer to get into that I have been passing by. My son recently introduced me to Tana French, another where all sorts of things seem to be surfacing. And I forgot to say how much I like the stairs and frock picture – look at it when you feel anxious and panicky – like the novels, a lot more to see there. I am amazed at how these folk can write whole books – aren’t people wonderful?
People just are! Ideas just flowing out of them even when really struggling. amazing!
I really enjoyed this book too- such depth and yet laugh out loud funny as well. MK is such a remarkable talented writer.
She has the gift of making it look easy- I am in awe
I loved Watermelon and enjoyed Rachel’s Holiday. I think I might have read the third book in the series but it is so long ago I cannot remember. I have tried to read a novel recently – failing terribly. However I picked up a Marian Keyes -The Charming Man in a charity shop and shall have a go at that when I get through the one I am currently struggling with. It’s not the book; it’s me.
So many good things to choose from, when you can tear yourself away from worthy things
**** Bloggy Buddies! I am very excited. Yer actual Marian read this and retweeted a link to it, and then tweeted me. Marian. Me. Buddies, now. Although I’m too overwhelmed and awe struck to do anything other than gush pathetically… ****
Well, of course you are famous! Didn’t I see you standing on the staircase of the Titanic in a fabulous gown… well a picture of you doing so!! How much more famousness does a girl need?
It’s as well I don’t move in circles where I meet proper famous folk; I’d be an embarrassment!
This sounds like a book I may like to read, Fiona… and by the way, there’s nothing wrong with gushing pathetically!
I’m breathing normally again Tom
I can gush here quite happily, but in the real world, well, it may not be pretty!
I love to hear what others are reading! I will check this out, too. My reading list is already impossibly long, but I have decided this is my way of ensuring I have many years of life left in me…I need to finish all my books before I go!
You do a lovely book review, Fiona.
I keep buying books. Real ones on the shelves and virtual ones on the Kindle. I will never run out, but sometimes I feel I’ve got nothing to read
The browsing and the discovering and the being inspired are half the fun!
I haven’t read any of her books, but your review makes me think I might.
They may not be to everyone’s taste, but they are leagues apart from most of what gets called ‘chick lit’ or ‘romantic fiction’. They are humorous and deal with real people and real issues. You’ll have guessed I’m a fan