Review #14: The Paying Guests

Sarah Waters makes no secret of the fact that she is “writing with a clear lesbian agenda”. Thus, it is no surprise that her latest, The Paying Guests, is a story of an illicit romance set in 1920s London.

When Frances Wray and her mother start taking in lodgers to supplement their meagre finances, the Barbers—Lilian and Leonard come into their lives. A secret love affair entwines with a murder investigation, complicating lives and questioning motives.

This is not Waters’ best book, perhaps entirely missable. But then reading tastes can be varied and it has been nominated for the Bailey’s Prize… Anyhow, full review here.

~PD