A Serpentine Affair by Tina Seskis

Seven women who all in their forties have known each other since university, they meet in Hyde Park by the Serpentine for a picnic. They no longer seem to have much in common or even enjoy this annual get together and it isn't long, with the alcohol flowing, before arguments start. Sissy is already a widow and blames another for the death of her husband, Natasha is convinced one of them is having an affair with her partner and JoAnne slept with Juliette's boyfriend years ago, Juliette has never really forgiven her. By the end of this disastrous meeting none of their lives are going to be the same again.

 

Secrets about the women's lives are revealed through flashbacks and the book jumps back and forth over the last 25 years. I did find the beginning of the book difficult because of the number of characters, even towards the end I was still having to remind myself of some of them and who was married to who. I didn't like many of them either, but then you're not supposed to. What I think this author does do well is make you believe one thing only to reveal something else.  It is also full of short chapters to keep you reading.

 

I received a copy of this from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

 

Rating: 3 out of 5