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Dani Lancing
The Ugly Man (Novella) : A Dani Lancing Story
The summer of 1976.
The whole country baking in a heatwave. And in a sleepy Derbyshire village a man, known locally as the Ugly Man, walks into his local with a claw hammer and in front of everyone brutally murders the young woman behind the bar.
For Patricia Lancing, juggling the demands of being a wife and mother alongside her desire to get recognition as an investigative journalist, this could be the case that makes her career...
If she survives it.
The whole country baking in a heatwave. And in a sleepy Derbyshire village a man, known locally as the Ugly Man, walks into his local with a claw hammer and in front of everyone brutally murders the young woman behind the bar.
For Patricia Lancing, juggling the demands of being a wife and mother alongside her desire to get recognition as an investigative journalist, this could be the case that makes her career...
If she survives it.
116 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2014
5 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
P.D. Viner
10 books52 followersI am killing again.
I live in Brighton, UK, with my wife, academic, blogger and author Lynneguist, and our teenage daughter.
I have made films, written theatre and created the audio ranges SmartPass and Shakespeare Appreciated.
Now I'm back and murdering with The Call and more to come. I love writing. I'm so happy and so lucky to have Hera Canelo publishing me.
I live in Brighton, UK, with my wife, academic, blogger and author Lynneguist, and our teenage daughter.
I have made films, written theatre and created the audio ranges SmartPass and Shakespeare Appreciated.
Now I'm back and murdering with The Call and more to come. I love writing. I'm so happy and so lucky to have Hera Canelo publishing me.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 10, 2020
Nothing really happened in Derbyshire Village, but the summer of 1976 was a memorable year for many. Not only were the people of this village experiencing a heat wave unlike any other, but they were trying to come to terms with the devastation of what happened in their local pub. How is it possible to forget the day when a man walks into his local pub with a hammer in his fist and brutally kills the young woman behind the bar?
When investigative journalist, Patricia Lancing (Patty) hears about the horrific murder of the woman at the hotel she wonders if this could be the investigation that could make her career.
Given that this murder occurred during the day with numerous witnesses, the police knew who the murderer was, but it would be difficult to find him. Meanwhile, Patty begins to learn more about this man who is known by the name of The Ugly Man. For someone who was a local, Patty has a hard time believing that this man can be a cold-blooded killer. Patty was determined to find out the truth about this man, but was there anything the police missed or was it time for Patty to deal with the fact that this man was truly a heartless murderer.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced novella. While we, the reader, were well aware of who the murderer was early on, the rest of the story was still intriguing enough to keep you interested to the very last page. Highly recommended.
When investigative journalist, Patricia Lancing (Patty) hears about the horrific murder of the woman at the hotel she wonders if this could be the investigation that could make her career.
Given that this murder occurred during the day with numerous witnesses, the police knew who the murderer was, but it would be difficult to find him. Meanwhile, Patty begins to learn more about this man who is known by the name of The Ugly Man. For someone who was a local, Patty has a hard time believing that this man can be a cold-blooded killer. Patty was determined to find out the truth about this man, but was there anything the police missed or was it time for Patty to deal with the fact that this man was truly a heartless murderer.
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced novella. While we, the reader, were well aware of who the murderer was early on, the rest of the story was still intriguing enough to keep you interested to the very last page. Highly recommended.
November 14, 2021
Words can not express just how feckin' awesome this novella was. It's simply one of those rare stories that you know will stay with you for a long time to come.
July 14, 2015
The Ugly Man is a (free download) novella in the Dani Lancing series by British author, P.D.Viner. Midsummer, 1976. Patty Lancing, mother of young Dani and wife of Jim, is determined to make it as a journalist. Sexual discrimination and harassment in her workplace are rife, but Patty sees her chance for a good story in the short stop press about a barmaid in Yorkshire bludgeoned to death in the bar by a regular customer, Mark Radix. Patty travels to Little Longstone to get the real story behind the killer, known locally as the Ugly Man. The locals are reticent, but Patty uses her skills to learn more than the local constabulary will reveal. But then she finds herself so close to the story, she wonders if she ever see Jim and Dani again. This is a gripping novella that provides some background on one of the main characters in the first book of the series and also includes preview of next novel in the series, The Summer of Ghosts.
December 10, 2014
The Ugly Man.
A Novella.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this copy to read and review.
Journalist Patti Lancing had always aspired to, and envisaged herself in a career as a top investigative journalist.
However, married life and a young family compelled her to settle for much less in that field, until she grew restless and slightly resentful.
She started to press her boss for better assignments and offered suggestions for the sort of stories she felt she could write well and wanted to follow up on.
This was all to no avail, as her boss explained that he felt these sort of stories were not for her. Instead, he came to her one day and offered her a bunch of potential stories to choose from, which she reluctantly did.
Patti decided on a story about how a man known in his local village in remote Derbyshire, as "the ugly man" casually walked into his local hotel and, in front of witnesses, brutally bludgeoned to death, with a claw hammer, a young woman while she was at work behind the bar that night.
Patti told her boss this was the story she wanted to tell, and why.
After convincing her husband that she needed to do this story, Patti packed her car and excitedly took off to Derbyshire to investigate how this crime came to happen...and more importantly why.
Now begins the thoroughly absorbing story of the village freak, widely known locally as The Ugly Man.
This book caught me by surprise with its intensity and kept me thoroughly engrossed to the very end.
I will definitely be reading more from this author.
4★s.
A Novella.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for this copy to read and review.
Journalist Patti Lancing had always aspired to, and envisaged herself in a career as a top investigative journalist.
However, married life and a young family compelled her to settle for much less in that field, until she grew restless and slightly resentful.
She started to press her boss for better assignments and offered suggestions for the sort of stories she felt she could write well and wanted to follow up on.
This was all to no avail, as her boss explained that he felt these sort of stories were not for her. Instead, he came to her one day and offered her a bunch of potential stories to choose from, which she reluctantly did.
Patti decided on a story about how a man known in his local village in remote Derbyshire, as "the ugly man" casually walked into his local hotel and, in front of witnesses, brutally bludgeoned to death, with a claw hammer, a young woman while she was at work behind the bar that night.
Patti told her boss this was the story she wanted to tell, and why.
After convincing her husband that she needed to do this story, Patti packed her car and excitedly took off to Derbyshire to investigate how this crime came to happen...and more importantly why.
Now begins the thoroughly absorbing story of the village freak, widely known locally as The Ugly Man.
This book caught me by surprise with its intensity and kept me thoroughly engrossed to the very end.
I will definitely be reading more from this author.
4★s.
July 23, 2014
When investigative journalist, Patricia Lancing, or Patty as she was known, heard about the vicious murder of a young woman in a hotel while she was working, Patty thought this could well be the investigation to make her career. For too long she had been bypassed by her boss in favour of one of the guys – this was 1976 after all. But with her main opposition already on a case, she was keen to head out and learn the gritty details.
The police already knew who the murderer was; after all, it had happened in broad daylight in front of a large number of witnesses – people just having a beer at their local. They were having trouble locating him though...but the horror of watching the young woman being bludgeoned to death with a hammer would stay with many of those witnesses for the rest of their days.
But as Patty began to learn about The Ugly Man and his past, she wondered if what everyone was saying about him was true. Her determination to be the person to break the case, to have more knowledge even than the police, kept her on the move, interviewing as many witnesses and people as she could. But was Patty taking things too far? Was she rushing into a situation that she would not be able to extricate herself from?
This was an enjoyable and gritty novella by P.D. Viner. I’ve enjoyed The Last Winter of Dani Lancing and The Sad Man (another novella), and this one had all the aspects of a great plot and fast pace. Even though we knew the murderer from the beginning (and I felt deep sympathy for him and his circumstances), the suspense was gripping. I have no hesitation in recommending all works by P.D. Viner.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
The police already knew who the murderer was; after all, it had happened in broad daylight in front of a large number of witnesses – people just having a beer at their local. They were having trouble locating him though...but the horror of watching the young woman being bludgeoned to death with a hammer would stay with many of those witnesses for the rest of their days.
But as Patty began to learn about The Ugly Man and his past, she wondered if what everyone was saying about him was true. Her determination to be the person to break the case, to have more knowledge even than the police, kept her on the move, interviewing as many witnesses and people as she could. But was Patty taking things too far? Was she rushing into a situation that she would not be able to extricate herself from?
This was an enjoyable and gritty novella by P.D. Viner. I’ve enjoyed The Last Winter of Dani Lancing and The Sad Man (another novella), and this one had all the aspects of a great plot and fast pace. Even though we knew the murderer from the beginning (and I felt deep sympathy for him and his circumstances), the suspense was gripping. I have no hesitation in recommending all works by P.D. Viner.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy to read and review.
July 17, 2014
My View:
So sad…
This is the second short story in the Dani Lancing series and it is a very dark and revealing expose of the ugly side of relationships and how fear, superstition and “difference” can prejudice and limit our experiences. I really felt sorry for The Ugly Man shunned since birth, for no fault of his own doing. His story breaks your heart and asks who really the victim here is?
Patricia Lancing fights sexism on all fronts – the sad thing is so much of what she faced in the 70’s hasn’t changed. The sly sexist comments slipped into conversations, the demeaning dirty jokes, the glass ceiling that does exist… Patricia Lancing has to prove herself in the work place over and over again…
The Ugly Man enriches the reading of one of my favourite books, The Last Winter of Dani Lancing and I cannot wait for the new book Summer of Ghosts to be available.
So sad…
This is the second short story in the Dani Lancing series and it is a very dark and revealing expose of the ugly side of relationships and how fear, superstition and “difference” can prejudice and limit our experiences. I really felt sorry for The Ugly Man shunned since birth, for no fault of his own doing. His story breaks your heart and asks who really the victim here is?
Patricia Lancing fights sexism on all fronts – the sad thing is so much of what she faced in the 70’s hasn’t changed. The sly sexist comments slipped into conversations, the demeaning dirty jokes, the glass ceiling that does exist… Patricia Lancing has to prove herself in the work place over and over again…
The Ugly Man enriches the reading of one of my favourite books, The Last Winter of Dani Lancing and I cannot wait for the new book Summer of Ghosts to be available.
July 28, 2014
Very atmospheric and absorbing tale – tagged as a short story, but at about 116 pages more of a novella, this is the first story by P.D. Viner that I have read – and I definitely want to read more.
The ambience and feel of the 1970′s is right in there, alongside a great set of characters, I especially liked how the author captures so well how it was for women, even in that decade. Constantly passed over for her male colleagues, despite being better at her job than they are, you will be right there with Patricia as she is determined to change all that – but finds herself in deep water.
Some of this is quite emotional – the “Ugly Man” is disfigured hence his nickname and at times I empathised despite his actionsThe “whydunnit” is very well handled and keeps you turning the pages in order to find out what its all about. Overall a terrific little read.
I would recommend this for fans of crime and mystery who like something just a little different in their main protagonist.
Happy Reading Folks!
The ambience and feel of the 1970′s is right in there, alongside a great set of characters, I especially liked how the author captures so well how it was for women, even in that decade. Constantly passed over for her male colleagues, despite being better at her job than they are, you will be right there with Patricia as she is determined to change all that – but finds herself in deep water.
Some of this is quite emotional – the “Ugly Man” is disfigured hence his nickname and at times I empathised despite his actionsThe “whydunnit” is very well handled and keeps you turning the pages in order to find out what its all about. Overall a terrific little read.
I would recommend this for fans of crime and mystery who like something just a little different in their main protagonist.
Happy Reading Folks!
August 1, 2014
This is a really enjoyable novella set in the long hot summer of 1976 and featuring Patricia Lancing, a journalist who is determined to get her story, and will go to any lengths to do so. The case of The Ugly Man, could be the case that makes her career – the product description says “..in a sleepy Derbyshire village a man, known locally as the Ugly Man, walks into his local with a claw hammer and in front of everyone brutally murders the young woman behind the bar.” And, that is all I am going to say about the plot, apart from to say that her determination to get her story will put her in extreme danger.
It is a suspense story that really kept my interest all the way through, I just had to know how it was all going to end. It is certainly a gripping read, at times quite moving and at others quite horrifying. Well worth a read. Many thanks to the publishers for the advance copy to read and review.
It is a suspense story that really kept my interest all the way through, I just had to know how it was all going to end. It is certainly a gripping read, at times quite moving and at others quite horrifying. Well worth a read. Many thanks to the publishers for the advance copy to read and review.
July 30, 2017
(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)
The summer of 1976.
The whole country baking in a heatwave. And in a sleepy Derbyshire village a man, known locally as the Ugly Man, walks into his local with a claw hammer and in front of everyone brutally murders the young woman behind the bar.
For Patricia Lancing, juggling the demands of being a wife and mother alongside her desire to get recognition as an investigative journalist, this could be the case that makes her career...
If she survives it.
Short but sweet.
This was more of a 'why-dunnit' than a 'who-dunnit' but it doesn't detract from the tense and thrilling novella here.
The setting - the 1970's Derbyshire - is an interesting location and one that serves to highlight the real horrors of what The Ugly Man does.
The characters may have been a touch stereotypical of the time but I found the majority of them to have been well written, especially for a novella. Lots of detail without dragging the story down in the process.
This a certainly a novella to invest a few hours in - you won't be disappointed!
Paul
ARH
The summer of 1976.
The whole country baking in a heatwave. And in a sleepy Derbyshire village a man, known locally as the Ugly Man, walks into his local with a claw hammer and in front of everyone brutally murders the young woman behind the bar.
For Patricia Lancing, juggling the demands of being a wife and mother alongside her desire to get recognition as an investigative journalist, this could be the case that makes her career...
If she survives it.
Short but sweet.
This was more of a 'why-dunnit' than a 'who-dunnit' but it doesn't detract from the tense and thrilling novella here.
The setting - the 1970's Derbyshire - is an interesting location and one that serves to highlight the real horrors of what The Ugly Man does.
The characters may have been a touch stereotypical of the time but I found the majority of them to have been well written, especially for a novella. Lots of detail without dragging the story down in the process.
This a certainly a novella to invest a few hours in - you won't be disappointed!
Paul
ARH
June 30, 2021
Wow. Thoroughly enjoyed that
July 16, 2014
The Ugly Man by P.D. Viner is a short story about a local guy known as 'the ugly man' who was born with a facial disfigurement and always thought of as an odd ball by the local community. One night he walks into a local pub and kills the barmaid with a claw hammer.
Patricia is a Mum with a young family. She is also an investigative journalist who is sent to the area to investigate and report on the murder. Slowly she uncovers the truth that surrounds the Ugly Man, but not without risking her and her families lives.
I enjoyed the short story. It was long enough with enough context for me to get to know the characters. The story flowed well and for the most part I found the story easy to follow.
I liked the way the author told the back story of The Ugly Man and his childhood. I actually began to feel real empathy for them. At the outset he reminded me a bit of John Merrick, the Elephant Man, who was also judged and outcast due to his deformities. I felt like hie just wanted to be accepted and to be 'good enough'. Unfortunately getting In with Glenn feels like it led him astray and down a bad path. I didn't like the character of Glenn and wanted to rewind time to keep him away from Mark.
The story came together well as he retold it to Patricia and I was quite moved in some parts by it. How he turned from a boy looking for acceptance, into someone who could inflict pain and loss on others. I wasn't sure how it would end at first, and I'm not entirely sure I am content with the ending as it didn't feel just.
I enjoyed the short story, which can be read in a couple of hours. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a thriller.
Thank you for Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for providing me with a copy in return for an honest review.
Patricia is a Mum with a young family. She is also an investigative journalist who is sent to the area to investigate and report on the murder. Slowly she uncovers the truth that surrounds the Ugly Man, but not without risking her and her families lives.
I enjoyed the short story. It was long enough with enough context for me to get to know the characters. The story flowed well and for the most part I found the story easy to follow.
I liked the way the author told the back story of The Ugly Man and his childhood. I actually began to feel real empathy for them. At the outset he reminded me a bit of John Merrick, the Elephant Man, who was also judged and outcast due to his deformities. I felt like hie just wanted to be accepted and to be 'good enough'. Unfortunately getting In with Glenn feels like it led him astray and down a bad path. I didn't like the character of Glenn and wanted to rewind time to keep him away from Mark.
The story came together well as he retold it to Patricia and I was quite moved in some parts by it. How he turned from a boy looking for acceptance, into someone who could inflict pain and loss on others. I wasn't sure how it would end at first, and I'm not entirely sure I am content with the ending as it didn't feel just.
I enjoyed the short story, which can be read in a couple of hours. I would recommend it to anyone who likes a thriller.
Thank you for Random House UK, Ebury Publishing for providing me with a copy in return for an honest review.
October 30, 2016
Without Patty Lancing, a journalist, people may never know the true story of the ugly man, or even know his name Mark Radix.
There are many different versions of his story. In the eyes of the locals, He is a fucking ugly freak, bastard, madman, and brutal rude demon without human nature...After reading this novella, I totally agree with Mark's words "Don't you fucking judge me. You have no right to judge me."
The story itself is not that complex, but as there are different versions of one thing or one person, it's really interesting as you need to guess which one is the truth. The truth can be hidden in a conversation, in a question, or in the reaction of a person in the story.
Indication of love or lack of love is everywhere in this novella. Love can revive or kill one's life. In this story different kinds of love are mixed with each other. Mark has only one person who ever cares him and understands him. Is it friendship, relationship or parentship? I feel a little bit strange as he attempts to kiss his partner more than once, but his partner (Glenn) turns his head away. It's sad that Glenn likes girls in that way. Glenn actually has a thought that if Mark is a girl, everything will be resolved. Maybe Mark is a women inside already but still has a man's form outside. His deep paranoid love to Glenn is much like a women's love to a man.
It's a sad story in the end. All life is only for one person, but he gets nothing in the end. Though God opens a window when he closed the door, he opened the window high on the roof. God let two angels meet, each with a wing broken. When they try to bind together and fly, they find they get good wing on the same side.
There are many different versions of his story. In the eyes of the locals, He is a fucking ugly freak, bastard, madman, and brutal rude demon without human nature...After reading this novella, I totally agree with Mark's words "Don't you fucking judge me. You have no right to judge me."
The story itself is not that complex, but as there are different versions of one thing or one person, it's really interesting as you need to guess which one is the truth. The truth can be hidden in a conversation, in a question, or in the reaction of a person in the story.
Indication of love or lack of love is everywhere in this novella. Love can revive or kill one's life. In this story different kinds of love are mixed with each other. Mark has only one person who ever cares him and understands him. Is it friendship, relationship or parentship? I feel a little bit strange as he attempts to kiss his partner more than once, but his partner (Glenn) turns his head away. It's sad that Glenn likes girls in that way. Glenn actually has a thought that if Mark is a girl, everything will be resolved. Maybe Mark is a women inside already but still has a man's form outside. His deep paranoid love to Glenn is much like a women's love to a man.
It's a sad story in the end. All life is only for one person, but he gets nothing in the end. Though God opens a window when he closed the door, he opened the window high on the roof. God let two angels meet, each with a wing broken. When they try to bind together and fly, they find they get good wing on the same side.
January 6, 2015
** Original review posted on www.snazzybooks.com **
The Ugly Man by P.D. Viner many only be a short story at 116 pages but it certainly packs a punch!
The story follows journalist Patty Coleman, who travels to a small village to report on the murder of a well-loved local barmaid. Whilst there she speaks to locals who witnessed the murder and who all swear that a local man called 'Mark Radix', also knows as 'The Ugly Man' due to his deformed facial features, walked into the pub and killed her. The case may seem clear cut but as Patty becomes more and more intrigued, is she is in danger of becoming a victim herself...?
Viner manages to make the reader feel real sympathy for 'The Ugly Man' and draws attention to the awful way he was treated by everyone because of his appearance. There is quite a lot of distressing and upsetting parts to the story and the reader then feels a whole mix of emotions towards him as the story continues, not knowing what to think; this is quite unnerving and adds to the suspense throughout.
I enjoyed the twists and turns along the way; as the novel is a short there isn't as much time as in other books to build up to the crescendo at the end but Viner still manages it really well and kept me hooked until the end!
I'd give this 4/5, definitely worth giving it a read when it's out on August 1st- it seems that at the moment you can pre-order on Amazon for free so why not give it a go?!
(This was an advance copy I received for review, many thanks to the publisher for providing it)
The Ugly Man by P.D. Viner many only be a short story at 116 pages but it certainly packs a punch!
The story follows journalist Patty Coleman, who travels to a small village to report on the murder of a well-loved local barmaid. Whilst there she speaks to locals who witnessed the murder and who all swear that a local man called 'Mark Radix', also knows as 'The Ugly Man' due to his deformed facial features, walked into the pub and killed her. The case may seem clear cut but as Patty becomes more and more intrigued, is she is in danger of becoming a victim herself...?
Viner manages to make the reader feel real sympathy for 'The Ugly Man' and draws attention to the awful way he was treated by everyone because of his appearance. There is quite a lot of distressing and upsetting parts to the story and the reader then feels a whole mix of emotions towards him as the story continues, not knowing what to think; this is quite unnerving and adds to the suspense throughout.
I enjoyed the twists and turns along the way; as the novel is a short there isn't as much time as in other books to build up to the crescendo at the end but Viner still manages it really well and kept me hooked until the end!
I'd give this 4/5, definitely worth giving it a read when it's out on August 1st- it seems that at the moment you can pre-order on Amazon for free so why not give it a go?!
(This was an advance copy I received for review, many thanks to the publisher for providing it)
December 8, 2014
Some time ago, I read and really liked 'The Sad Man' by the same author, and though 'The Ugly Man' is very different, it is an equally excellent read.
This story is a tragedy. It pretty much sums up the consequences of a life spent lonely, unloved and despised by others.
It's a scorching July day in 1976. In Little Longstone, a tiny Derbyshire village, Sally Matthews, a barmaid, is dragged from behind the bar's counter and bludgeoned to death with a hammer in front of her punters. The killer is a very dangerous man, hated and avoided by everyone and known locally as The Ugly Man.
In the meantime, Patty Lancing, a journalist, is fighting for a front page story in an otherwise male-dominated press room. She is sent to Longstone by her boss to cover the murder story. She's very excited and knows that her career depends on this story... but she doesn't know about the horror awaiting her.
Asking around, Patty soon realises that this story has very deep roots which go back in time. She has to dig deep to understand. Who is The Ugly Man? What's his story? Why did he commit this murder? Where is he?
This was another great novella by P.D.Viner that made me reflect and kept me interested to the end. After reading about The Ugly Man's life and the pain he suffered, I found myself feeling really sorry for him. The ending can only be described as 'unforgettable' and 'tragic'. Read it ... it will stay with you.
This story is a tragedy. It pretty much sums up the consequences of a life spent lonely, unloved and despised by others.
It's a scorching July day in 1976. In Little Longstone, a tiny Derbyshire village, Sally Matthews, a barmaid, is dragged from behind the bar's counter and bludgeoned to death with a hammer in front of her punters. The killer is a very dangerous man, hated and avoided by everyone and known locally as The Ugly Man.
In the meantime, Patty Lancing, a journalist, is fighting for a front page story in an otherwise male-dominated press room. She is sent to Longstone by her boss to cover the murder story. She's very excited and knows that her career depends on this story... but she doesn't know about the horror awaiting her.
Asking around, Patty soon realises that this story has very deep roots which go back in time. She has to dig deep to understand. Who is The Ugly Man? What's his story? Why did he commit this murder? Where is he?
This was another great novella by P.D.Viner that made me reflect and kept me interested to the end. After reading about The Ugly Man's life and the pain he suffered, I found myself feeling really sorry for him. The ending can only be described as 'unforgettable' and 'tragic'. Read it ... it will stay with you.
July 20, 2014
I received a copy of this book thanks to the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This was quite an unusual read, it's not a long book, but longer than a short story really and had my emotions all over the place. It was great!
In summary, Patricia Lancing is an investigative journalist with a tabloid newspaper in England, she hears of an incident in a sleepy English town where a barmaid was killed in front of witnesses with a claw hammer.
The killer is known locally as "The Ugly Man" due to a sad facial deformity that has had him suffer bullying all his life. He's been an outcast, the unwanted, the feared.
In her passion to cover the story Patricia gets in a bit deeper than she expected and suddenly things turn really bad and she is stuck in the middle of it all.
It's a very real book, it hits the emotions especially in relation to feelings and thoughts around The Ugly Man, should I sympathise? Empathise? or despise for the despicable thing he did? Why did he do it?
Sometimes journalism can be a very risky business indeed.
This was an enjoyable read that I read from cover to cover in one sitting eager to learn of the findings and the outcome. I have not read anything by P.D. Viner before but found the characters very real, raw, with depth and dimension. A really well written book and a quick one to read too.
This was quite an unusual read, it's not a long book, but longer than a short story really and had my emotions all over the place. It was great!
In summary, Patricia Lancing is an investigative journalist with a tabloid newspaper in England, she hears of an incident in a sleepy English town where a barmaid was killed in front of witnesses with a claw hammer.
The killer is known locally as "The Ugly Man" due to a sad facial deformity that has had him suffer bullying all his life. He's been an outcast, the unwanted, the feared.
In her passion to cover the story Patricia gets in a bit deeper than she expected and suddenly things turn really bad and she is stuck in the middle of it all.
It's a very real book, it hits the emotions especially in relation to feelings and thoughts around The Ugly Man, should I sympathise? Empathise? or despise for the despicable thing he did? Why did he do it?
Sometimes journalism can be a very risky business indeed.
This was an enjoyable read that I read from cover to cover in one sitting eager to learn of the findings and the outcome. I have not read anything by P.D. Viner before but found the characters very real, raw, with depth and dimension. A really well written book and a quick one to read too.
October 15, 2015
I would like to than Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest and open review.
I'm not sure how to describe this novella. I think the best description would be "a tragedy".
Patty Lancing, a journalist, is sent to investigate the violent murder of a barmaid.
She uncovers a pretty horrific tale of childhood bullying and abuse..
At first I though the murderer was an horrendous person. However, as I read more about his background, I began to feel sorry for him.
This book certainly made me think about how things that occurred in childhood reflect on our behaviour in later life.
I will certainly read more by this author.
I'm not sure how to describe this novella. I think the best description would be "a tragedy".
Patty Lancing, a journalist, is sent to investigate the violent murder of a barmaid.
She uncovers a pretty horrific tale of childhood bullying and abuse..
At first I though the murderer was an horrendous person. However, as I read more about his background, I began to feel sorry for him.
This book certainly made me think about how things that occurred in childhood reflect on our behaviour in later life.
I will certainly read more by this author.
August 8, 2014
This is the second short story in the Dani Lancing series I have read and the second I have enjoyed, though it is very different to The Sad Man.
The Ugly Man is set in the 1970's around Dani's mum Patti and her time as a journalist. Viner captures the era well without overplaying the sexism that was clearly rife at that time in such career choices.
The novella has an interesting voice and will keep you turning the pages and the story is cleverly woven with an interesting twist at the end that will likely leave you wanting to read more by Viner.
A great series.
The Ugly Man is set in the 1970's around Dani's mum Patti and her time as a journalist. Viner captures the era well without overplaying the sexism that was clearly rife at that time in such career choices.
The novella has an interesting voice and will keep you turning the pages and the story is cleverly woven with an interesting twist at the end that will likely leave you wanting to read more by Viner.
A great series.
September 24, 2014
A really touching story of freindship and love, with a touch of murder and suspense and betrayal thrown in. I felt quite sad for mark, the world still hasnt changed regarding disabilities. I didnt want to put this book down, i wanted to know what happened next to the characters. If you have a spare couple of hours and enjoy the above genres then i am sure you wont be disappointed.
August 13, 2014
Only a short story/novella but very enjoyable. I loved the authors ability to evoke the 70's and the rampant sexism and corruption. It reminded me in parts of David Peace's Red Riding trilogy. Definitely made me want to read the authors full novel which I have now ordered.
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March 29, 2017Ugly, but not his fault. Rejected by all by a Dr., his wife and one other person. That person he loves, and friendship lasts till a faithful day, then all is lots only to return 20 years later, but will all be lost again?
July 22, 2014
Great short story. A facially disfigured man apparently beats a barmaid to death. Patty Lancing, journalist with the Mirror, finds out why.
August 4, 2014
This was a very enjoyable short read.
It was gripping and quite horrifying at times, but most of all I'd describe it as a rather sad and tragic tale of an unloved and lonely man.
It was gripping and quite horrifying at times, but most of all I'd describe it as a rather sad and tragic tale of an unloved and lonely man.
January 29, 2015
Lo suficientemente interesante como para leerlo hasta el final. Sin más.
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