A surprising and dark novel of female passion from one of Ireland's best-loved novelists
Jessica and Jane have been living together for six months and are devoted friends - or are they Jessica loves her friend with the cruelty of total possessiveness; Jane is rich, silly, and drinks rather too many brandy-and-sodas.
Watching from the sidelines, their friend Sylvester regrets that Jane should be 'loved and bullied and perhaps even murdered by that frightful Jessica', but decides it's none of his business. When the Irish gentleman George Playfair meets Jane, however, he thinks otherwise and entices her to Ireland where the battle for her devotion begins.
Keane has a sharp eye, but a compassionate one - GUARDIAN
Her books are witty, sardonic, human comedies, edged by black humour, and, like all good comedies, sadness and pathos lie close to the glittering surface - POLLY DEVLIN
Miss Farrell's genius lies in her remorselessness ... deliciously funny - NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW
The very best of AngloIrish writing - CLARE BOYLAN
Keane has a sharp eye, but a compassionate one - GUARDIAN
Her books are witty, sardonic, human comedies, edged by black humour, and, like all good comedies, sadness and pathos lie close to the glittering surface - POLLY DEVLIN
Miss Farrell's genius lies in her remorselessness ... deliciously funny - NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW
The very best of AngloIrish writing - CLARE BOYLAN
Molly Keane was born in Co. Kildare, Ireland, in 1904 into a 'rather serious Hunting and Fishing Church-going family' who gave her little education at the hands of governesses. Molly Keane's interests when young were 'hunting and horses and having a good time'; she began writing only to supplement her dress allowance. She died in 1996.