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The Former Chief Executive
Do you blame her? Deborah was a respected hospital manager until a tragedy forced her into retirement. Hounded by the media, then bereaved, she is brittle and reserved. Luca was in prison, now he has hope – a family, a home and the chance to take on Deborah’s garden, neglected since her husband’s death. Luca, with his youth and grace, has an uncanny ability to know what Deborah needs. He makes the garden live again. Deborah increasingly depends on him. But the past hasn’t gone away. Luca’s new life is under threat, and some people can’t forgive what Deborah did. As events escalate, they are both forced to ask, who can you trust? Praise for The Former Chief Executive 'A taut psychological study of grief, secrets and trying to leave behind your past. Its dark, slightly chilling atmosphere reminded me at times of the books written by Ruth Rendell under the pen name Barbara Vine' - What Cathy Read Next 'This is a well-crafted and enjoyable read. The restrained tone is deceiving - there is a great deal going on here, a lot of it seething away under the surface. The author shows a great amount of skill in resisting the temptation to let everything bubble over' - Alison Williams blog 'A good, clever read, incorporating many layers' - Ashrae, top 500 Amazon reviewer 'Each character, even the seemingly most shallow, has skeletons in their closet that gradually come out, rendering the situation between them increasingly fraught as the plot progresses' - EP Clark blog 'A gently written novel which drew me in so completely that I wasn't consciously aware of the subtle tension build-up, only that I really didn't want to stop reading' - Literary Flits 'The Former Chief Executive is a clever and thought-provoking literary read' - Hair Past a Freckle
196 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2017
17 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Kate Vane
6 books98 followersI worked as a probation officer in Leeds for a number of years. I started writing crime fiction because I thought made-up criminals would be easier to manage (I was wrong).
As well as writing novels, I have written for BBC drama Doctors and my short stories and articles have appeared in various publications and anthologies, including Mslexia and Scotland on Sunday.
I’ve always loved the sea, and now live on the beautiful south Devon coast. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably in the garden.
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For the latest on my writing, go to katevane.com where you can sign up for my newsletter.
As well as writing novels, I have written for BBC drama Doctors and my short stories and articles have appeared in various publications and anthologies, including Mslexia and Scotland on Sunday.
I’ve always loved the sea, and now live on the beautiful south Devon coast. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably in the garden.
*
For the latest on my writing, go to katevane.com where you can sign up for my newsletter.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 8, 2017
Read all my book reviews, plus author interviews & book extracts on my blog https://whatcathyreadnext.wordpress.com/
Don’t be misled by the title – this isn’t the memoir of a former management high-flier or a self-improvement book, it’s a taut psychological study of grief, secrets and trying to leave behind your past. Its dark, slightly chilling atmosphere reminded me at times of the books written by Ruth Rendell under the pen name Barbara Vine.
Deborah and her husband, Peter, had planned their retirement together, moving to a bungalow near the sea where Peter could indulge his love of gardening. Those plans were cruelly thwarted by Peter’s cancer diagnosis and swift demise. Now Deborah finds herself alone, with only unhappy memories and regrets for company.
‘Deborah looked around at the emptiness, and listened to the quiet, the percussive thrum of electrical appliances and thought, this is it, this is my life now.’
I was moved by the author’s insightful and affecting depiction of Deborah’s grief and her sense of loss and displacement following bereavement.
‘So it was only really with Peter that she had felt she could be herself. Be yourself. Whatever did that mean? If she could only be herself with Peter, who was she now? No one, she thought. A husk.’
What makes the situation worse for Deborah is the contrast between her life before as a successful senior manager and the emptiness she feels now.
‘She had been a mouse on a wheel that was spinning very fast. A mouse who happened to be a good runner. Now the wheel was broken.’
And there are hints of an event in Deborah’s past – a decision she took that had tragic consequences and which led to her being vilified in the press. Despite moving to a new area and changing her surname, Deborah still lives with the nagging fear that she will be recognised and it will start all over again.
Enter Luca, to tend the garden Peter loved, as part of a community rehabilitation scheme. I have to say at this point that, as a gardener myself, I loved the way the author presents gardening as a therapeutic activity, both physically and mentally. Luca is also trying to put his past behind him and move forward with his life. He’s an intriguing figure, with an almost mystical aspect to his character that contributes to the unsettling atmosphere of the book. Luca seems to be able to sense instinctively the needs of others and feel drawn to help them.
When Deborah’s daughter, Eleanor, comes to stay, she is surprised her mother has made no attempt to find out more about Luca’s past. Deborah is reluctant to do so – after all, he hasn’t asked about hers. I won’t say much more for fear of spoiling other readers’ enjoyment. Whilst not exactly a thriller, the author nonetheless creates a feeling of suspense as secrets gradually emerge and events take an unexpected turn in a way I had definitely not anticipated.
I was really impressed with this book. The assured writing really made the characters come alive in a way that was credible and it had a dark, intense feel to it that made you want to read on. I also love the gorgeous cover.
I received an advance reader copy courtesy of the author in return for an honest review.
Don’t be misled by the title – this isn’t the memoir of a former management high-flier or a self-improvement book, it’s a taut psychological study of grief, secrets and trying to leave behind your past. Its dark, slightly chilling atmosphere reminded me at times of the books written by Ruth Rendell under the pen name Barbara Vine.
Deborah and her husband, Peter, had planned their retirement together, moving to a bungalow near the sea where Peter could indulge his love of gardening. Those plans were cruelly thwarted by Peter’s cancer diagnosis and swift demise. Now Deborah finds herself alone, with only unhappy memories and regrets for company.
‘Deborah looked around at the emptiness, and listened to the quiet, the percussive thrum of electrical appliances and thought, this is it, this is my life now.’
I was moved by the author’s insightful and affecting depiction of Deborah’s grief and her sense of loss and displacement following bereavement.
‘So it was only really with Peter that she had felt she could be herself. Be yourself. Whatever did that mean? If she could only be herself with Peter, who was she now? No one, she thought. A husk.’
What makes the situation worse for Deborah is the contrast between her life before as a successful senior manager and the emptiness she feels now.
‘She had been a mouse on a wheel that was spinning very fast. A mouse who happened to be a good runner. Now the wheel was broken.’
And there are hints of an event in Deborah’s past – a decision she took that had tragic consequences and which led to her being vilified in the press. Despite moving to a new area and changing her surname, Deborah still lives with the nagging fear that she will be recognised and it will start all over again.
Enter Luca, to tend the garden Peter loved, as part of a community rehabilitation scheme. I have to say at this point that, as a gardener myself, I loved the way the author presents gardening as a therapeutic activity, both physically and mentally. Luca is also trying to put his past behind him and move forward with his life. He’s an intriguing figure, with an almost mystical aspect to his character that contributes to the unsettling atmosphere of the book. Luca seems to be able to sense instinctively the needs of others and feel drawn to help them.
When Deborah’s daughter, Eleanor, comes to stay, she is surprised her mother has made no attempt to find out more about Luca’s past. Deborah is reluctant to do so – after all, he hasn’t asked about hers. I won’t say much more for fear of spoiling other readers’ enjoyment. Whilst not exactly a thriller, the author nonetheless creates a feeling of suspense as secrets gradually emerge and events take an unexpected turn in a way I had definitely not anticipated.
I was really impressed with this book. The assured writing really made the characters come alive in a way that was credible and it had a dark, intense feel to it that made you want to read on. I also love the gorgeous cover.
I received an advance reader copy courtesy of the author in return for an honest review.
June 7, 2017
The Former Chief Executive is a short and sweet little book. It tells the story of Deborah Stevens, a retired former hospital manager who's just lost her husband to cancer. She hires young and charismatic Luca to look after her late husband's garden, and the two forge a strange sort of friendship.
Despite the simple premise, there's a lot going on in this book. The generational gap between Deborah and Luca takes center stage; an issue that Kate Vane tackles with insight and sensitivity, as she examines each of their distinct approaches to life. There's arguably more nuance here than I've seen given to this sort of narrative before. Even though our protagonist is older, this isn't a story which maligns millennials for laziness - on the other hand, Kate Vane acknowledges a lot of advantages that Deborah's generation had.
This book is also an interesting meditation on mortality. While Luca's girlfriend, Belle, is due to give birth in a short time, Luca is training to be a "death midwife," someone who helps provide emotional support to terminally ill patients. Birth and death run parallel in this novel, which is ultimately a reflection on life itself, on whether anyone ever really knows what they're doing.
Though mostly solid, the prose could stand a bit of polishing here and there. Little things - a few too many exclamation points and question marks outside of dialogue for my personal taste (despite the third person narration this is a very introspective book which reads like Deborah's thoughts unfolding - a narrative voice which Kate Vane employs consistently, though it does start to grate at times when Deborah continues to muse to herself in the form of question after question). My only other complaint is that I thought it ended on a note that was incongruously abrupt given the pace up until that point.
That said, I was really charmed by this book. It's a really brilliant character study that weaves together a host of distinct and memorable characters. Deborah is certainly flawed - proud, judgmental - but I liked her even more for that, because I love female characters who have all the complexity of real women. This was a great and thought-provoking quick read. I really enjoyed it.
Many thanks to the author for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my feedback in any way. All opinions are my own.
Despite the simple premise, there's a lot going on in this book. The generational gap between Deborah and Luca takes center stage; an issue that Kate Vane tackles with insight and sensitivity, as she examines each of their distinct approaches to life. There's arguably more nuance here than I've seen given to this sort of narrative before. Even though our protagonist is older, this isn't a story which maligns millennials for laziness - on the other hand, Kate Vane acknowledges a lot of advantages that Deborah's generation had.
This book is also an interesting meditation on mortality. While Luca's girlfriend, Belle, is due to give birth in a short time, Luca is training to be a "death midwife," someone who helps provide emotional support to terminally ill patients. Birth and death run parallel in this novel, which is ultimately a reflection on life itself, on whether anyone ever really knows what they're doing.
Though mostly solid, the prose could stand a bit of polishing here and there. Little things - a few too many exclamation points and question marks outside of dialogue for my personal taste (despite the third person narration this is a very introspective book which reads like Deborah's thoughts unfolding - a narrative voice which Kate Vane employs consistently, though it does start to grate at times when Deborah continues to muse to herself in the form of question after question). My only other complaint is that I thought it ended on a note that was incongruously abrupt given the pace up until that point.
That said, I was really charmed by this book. It's a really brilliant character study that weaves together a host of distinct and memorable characters. Deborah is certainly flawed - proud, judgmental - but I liked her even more for that, because I love female characters who have all the complexity of real women. This was a great and thought-provoking quick read. I really enjoyed it.
Many thanks to the author for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my feedback in any way. All opinions are my own.
June 19, 2017
Thank you to Kate Vane for providing an e-copy of her novel "The Former Chief Executive" in exchange for an honest review. This short novel could be classified as psychological fiction at its best. Deborah is the title's former chief executive who left her position under a cloud of controversy. She has since been widowed and finds she needs help with her husband's gardens. Luca, an ex-convict who was jailed for arson, applies and is accepted by Deborah to look after the gardens. He is unsure of his future and that of his young family. A platonic relationship develops between the older woman and the young man. Secondary characters include the next door neighbor who is interested in receiving Luca's attentions, and Deborah's adult daughter who returns to her mother's house to get her life back on track. The interactions between each character are not what I expected. Just when you think you have a handle on this novel, the author turns the story on its end. The ending is breathtaking and the writing is superb. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys profound character studies. Well done.
July 14, 2017
'Without your past, who are you?’
The Former Chief Executive is the third novel from writer Kate Vane. Described by the author as a literary novel, I was intrigued to see what it was about.
These days we are oft times measured by what we do as opposed to who we really are. In this novel Kate Vane asks that question…without our career, our name, who are we really?
A short novel, at only 150 pages, The Former Chief Executive was published on the 8th June 2017.
Deborah is woman now left with nothing….
‘Deborah Stevens, former chief executive of the Royal Midlands NHS Trust', a woman who always garnered the respect of her peers, now finds herself lost, alone and frightened. Her husband Peter and herself had planned for a retirement where life would be simpler. Peter, an avid gardener would spend time with his plants and Deborah would relax, knowing they had both achieved something in life.
Reputation meant everything to Deborah ‘When she was working she always made a point of telling people to call her Deborah straight away. What you chose to be called was important. Especially when you were a woman.’
But circumstances changed dramatically for Deborah. An incident at the workplace meant her reputation was in ruins. Following this, her husband Peter was tragically diagnosed with cancer and passed away. Deborah is left in an empty home with only her bitterness to keep her company. What is she now? Who is she now?
‘In the hospital my web ran through every ward and department. Rumours, rivalries, conspiracies, I knew. She’d had allies. But now she was adrift in her own home.
A chance encounter with a young man changes Deborah’s life in ways she had not imagined.
Luca is a young man who rose from the ashes of a broken home ‘You live in a world where you think you are nothing, where nothing you do matters.’ He is now a member of a local garden share scheme where he finds he can express himself through his love of planting and the soil.
Deborah is unable to tend to her garden as it was her husband’s dream and not hers, so she makes a suitable arrangement with Luca whereby he looks after her garden and in return he can use what he wishes from the crops grown.
But both Luca and Deborah are from very different backgrounds and soon the lines becomes blurred as each is exposed to the other’s world. Contrasting generations with diverse stories come together as the pages unfold.
Luca and Deborah are both looking for a fresh start but can you ever escape the past?
In this novel, Kate Vane explores many themes making The Former Chief Executive quite a thought-provoking read. There are many layers to this story for such a short book, dealing with complex issues of grief, reputation, what it means to belong. My only issue with the book was the ending which I found to be quite sudden. I turned the page expecting more but I’m guessing the author wished for the reader to make their own minds up about what happened next.
Can I just say that the cover of this book is worth a mention. I did follow up with Kate Vane as to it’s origins and it is by the artist IIaria Roselli Del Turco. Stunning paintings.
The Former Chief Executive is the third novel from writer Kate Vane. Described by the author as a literary novel, I was intrigued to see what it was about.
These days we are oft times measured by what we do as opposed to who we really are. In this novel Kate Vane asks that question…without our career, our name, who are we really?
A short novel, at only 150 pages, The Former Chief Executive was published on the 8th June 2017.
Deborah is woman now left with nothing….
‘Deborah Stevens, former chief executive of the Royal Midlands NHS Trust', a woman who always garnered the respect of her peers, now finds herself lost, alone and frightened. Her husband Peter and herself had planned for a retirement where life would be simpler. Peter, an avid gardener would spend time with his plants and Deborah would relax, knowing they had both achieved something in life.
Reputation meant everything to Deborah ‘When she was working she always made a point of telling people to call her Deborah straight away. What you chose to be called was important. Especially when you were a woman.’
But circumstances changed dramatically for Deborah. An incident at the workplace meant her reputation was in ruins. Following this, her husband Peter was tragically diagnosed with cancer and passed away. Deborah is left in an empty home with only her bitterness to keep her company. What is she now? Who is she now?
‘In the hospital my web ran through every ward and department. Rumours, rivalries, conspiracies, I knew. She’d had allies. But now she was adrift in her own home.
A chance encounter with a young man changes Deborah’s life in ways she had not imagined.
Luca is a young man who rose from the ashes of a broken home ‘You live in a world where you think you are nothing, where nothing you do matters.’ He is now a member of a local garden share scheme where he finds he can express himself through his love of planting and the soil.
Deborah is unable to tend to her garden as it was her husband’s dream and not hers, so she makes a suitable arrangement with Luca whereby he looks after her garden and in return he can use what he wishes from the crops grown.
But both Luca and Deborah are from very different backgrounds and soon the lines becomes blurred as each is exposed to the other’s world. Contrasting generations with diverse stories come together as the pages unfold.
Luca and Deborah are both looking for a fresh start but can you ever escape the past?
In this novel, Kate Vane explores many themes making The Former Chief Executive quite a thought-provoking read. There are many layers to this story for such a short book, dealing with complex issues of grief, reputation, what it means to belong. My only issue with the book was the ending which I found to be quite sudden. I turned the page expecting more but I’m guessing the author wished for the reader to make their own minds up about what happened next.
Can I just say that the cover of this book is worth a mention. I did follow up with Kate Vane as to it’s origins and it is by the artist IIaria Roselli Del Turco. Stunning paintings.
June 6, 2017
Having reviewed Kate Vane's previous book, Not the End, I was delighted when she contacted me again to ask if I'd like to read her new book. The Former Chief Executive may be a short novel but it explores some deep themes and is anything but slight.
Deborah is grieving the loss of her husband, they had made plans for their retirement but his cancer diagnosis meant those plans would never be realised. She's an interesting character, often judgemental, particularly regarding her next-door neighbour, but also of herself. She has a softer side too, she's undoubtedly lonely and has a strained relationship with her daughter but her response to Luca when she discovers his past show a more thoughtful and forgiving facet to her character. The truth about her own past and why she is now a former chief executive is slowly revealed and goes some way to explaining why she is somewhat mistrustful and guarded.
Luca's struggle to build a new life for himself is sensitively told and reflects how difficult it is for some people to make their way in a society that often seems stacked against them. As the two slowly grow to trust one another they both take steps to examine their respective histories but whether they can ever fully leave the past behind them is a different matter, particularly when other people exert their influence on them and exploit their vulnerabilities. The Former Chief Executive looks at grief, duty, forgiveness and regret. It may be short but it's not an easy read, ageing, death and the many failings of our current society are all themes explored within its pages. Without giving anything away the ending really left me thinking, I must admit I was left wanting more but nevertheless the conclusion is a striking, if not necessarily an entirely satisfactory one. This is not meant as a criticism, I don't actually think endings should necessarily satisfy the reader's wishes, as long as they finish memorably, and Kate Vane certainly achieves that here. The Former Chief Executive is a clever and thought-provoking literary read.
Many thanks to the author for my ARC, received in return for my honest review.
Deborah is grieving the loss of her husband, they had made plans for their retirement but his cancer diagnosis meant those plans would never be realised. She's an interesting character, often judgemental, particularly regarding her next-door neighbour, but also of herself. She has a softer side too, she's undoubtedly lonely and has a strained relationship with her daughter but her response to Luca when she discovers his past show a more thoughtful and forgiving facet to her character. The truth about her own past and why she is now a former chief executive is slowly revealed and goes some way to explaining why she is somewhat mistrustful and guarded.
Luca's struggle to build a new life for himself is sensitively told and reflects how difficult it is for some people to make their way in a society that often seems stacked against them. As the two slowly grow to trust one another they both take steps to examine their respective histories but whether they can ever fully leave the past behind them is a different matter, particularly when other people exert their influence on them and exploit their vulnerabilities. The Former Chief Executive looks at grief, duty, forgiveness and regret. It may be short but it's not an easy read, ageing, death and the many failings of our current society are all themes explored within its pages. Without giving anything away the ending really left me thinking, I must admit I was left wanting more but nevertheless the conclusion is a striking, if not necessarily an entirely satisfactory one. This is not meant as a criticism, I don't actually think endings should necessarily satisfy the reader's wishes, as long as they finish memorably, and Kate Vane certainly achieves that here. The Former Chief Executive is a clever and thought-provoking literary read.
Many thanks to the author for my ARC, received in return for my honest review.
May 28, 2017
In this book we meet Deborah. She is the Former Chief Executive of an NHS Trust. Something went a bit sour for her in her job so, on leaving, she changed her name to escape the backlash. She, along with her husband, Peter, also moved away, to a lovely bungalow with a fabulous garden which Peter carefully and lovingly tended. Now widowed only several months after moving, Deborah needs someone to help her in the garden so she signs up for the local garden share scheme. Enter Luca, the young man she has been paired with. An ex-con with a zero hours work contract, a girlfriend with a baby, and another on the way. Initially chalk and cheese, this book follows Deborah and Luca as they start to open up to each other. Despite all the ways they differ, they find so many similarities and connections. Sharing pasts, connecting in the present, moving forward into the future. But what will that future hold for the both of them? And just where does neighbour Maureen fit into it all?
This is not a long book, but it contains so much. A tad political in places, sometimes quite topical, but all within the bounds of the storyline so not a all preachy. Pacing is steady throughout; the "action" being more cerebral rather than physical as we see glimpses into the lives of all involved.
The main characters and the supporting cast are all very well drawn and were easy for me to connect with. Yes, of course there were some I liked more than others and the odd one I just despised but hey, that's life. As long as I connect with a character, it doesn't have to be positive. I'm also a bit of a fan of people who shouldn't get on but, despite all the obvious differences between them and the many reasons that the relationship shouldn't work, they just click. Deborah and Luca are two such people but I was fascinated at how their relationship developed. Sometimes amused, other times shocked as I watched the bond between them form. On the flip side I wasn't very enamoured of both Belle's and Eleanor's behaviours throughout but, as already mentioned, they did get my juices going, albeit it in a negative way, so the connection there held firm too.
The ending is all sorts of interesting but follows nicely on from the rest of the narrative. That's pretty much all I can say without giving anything else away and I am of course loathed to do that.
All in all, this was a very satisfying read for me. If you want a good, clever read, incorporating many layers, played out by a cast of interesting and well drawn characters which, at the conclusion, will stay with you a while as you digest it all fully then maybe give this book a whirl.
This is not a long book, but it contains so much. A tad political in places, sometimes quite topical, but all within the bounds of the storyline so not a all preachy. Pacing is steady throughout; the "action" being more cerebral rather than physical as we see glimpses into the lives of all involved.
The main characters and the supporting cast are all very well drawn and were easy for me to connect with. Yes, of course there were some I liked more than others and the odd one I just despised but hey, that's life. As long as I connect with a character, it doesn't have to be positive. I'm also a bit of a fan of people who shouldn't get on but, despite all the obvious differences between them and the many reasons that the relationship shouldn't work, they just click. Deborah and Luca are two such people but I was fascinated at how their relationship developed. Sometimes amused, other times shocked as I watched the bond between them form. On the flip side I wasn't very enamoured of both Belle's and Eleanor's behaviours throughout but, as already mentioned, they did get my juices going, albeit it in a negative way, so the connection there held firm too.
The ending is all sorts of interesting but follows nicely on from the rest of the narrative. That's pretty much all I can say without giving anything else away and I am of course loathed to do that.
All in all, this was a very satisfying read for me. If you want a good, clever read, incorporating many layers, played out by a cast of interesting and well drawn characters which, at the conclusion, will stay with you a while as you digest it all fully then maybe give this book a whirl.
June 12, 2017
Deborah’s vision of her retirement - to spend her days finally relaxing with her husband Peter after a long career - has had to be re-imagined. Peter has died, and she is alone, struggling to know what to do with her time and how to live without him, and without the career that defined her.
Luca is also struggling - struggling with life after prison, a new job, a pregnant girlfriend. He finds solace in working on Deborah’s garden and the two develop a friendship.
But the arrival of Deborah’s daughter complicates things as their problematic relationship is put under new pressure. And Deborah also has to contend with her past, and the fear that it will come back to ruin the present.
This is a thoughtful book, measured and considered. The pace is rather slow, but it works with writing that is skilful and assured. The characters are incredibly well-drawn and have so many layers - they have a real depth, and, while not all are exactly likeable, their stories are compelling, and you really care about what happens to them.
My only issue is that I feel this could have been longer. I wanted to know more about Deborah’s past, about what happened at the hospital. And I wanted more about her relationship with Eleanor. Luca is so interesting too, and I felt that there were things in his past that could be explored more thoroughly. The writing is so well-crafted, so good, that it seemed a shame that that wasn’t more of it!
This is a well-crafted and enjoyable read. The restrained tone is deceiving - there is a great deal going on here, a lot of it seething away under the surface. The author shows a great amount of skill in resisting the temptation to let everything bubble over.
An excellent novella.
Four and a half out of five stars
Luca is also struggling - struggling with life after prison, a new job, a pregnant girlfriend. He finds solace in working on Deborah’s garden and the two develop a friendship.
But the arrival of Deborah’s daughter complicates things as their problematic relationship is put under new pressure. And Deborah also has to contend with her past, and the fear that it will come back to ruin the present.
This is a thoughtful book, measured and considered. The pace is rather slow, but it works with writing that is skilful and assured. The characters are incredibly well-drawn and have so many layers - they have a real depth, and, while not all are exactly likeable, their stories are compelling, and you really care about what happens to them.
My only issue is that I feel this could have been longer. I wanted to know more about Deborah’s past, about what happened at the hospital. And I wanted more about her relationship with Eleanor. Luca is so interesting too, and I felt that there were things in his past that could be explored more thoroughly. The writing is so well-crafted, so good, that it seemed a shame that that wasn’t more of it!
This is a well-crafted and enjoyable read. The restrained tone is deceiving - there is a great deal going on here, a lot of it seething away under the surface. The author shows a great amount of skill in resisting the temptation to let everything bubble over.
An excellent novella.
Four and a half out of five stars
October 6, 2017
I received this book to review but took some time to actually get around to reading it. Surprisingly the cover sort of put me off thinking it would be about the life after having power.
I guess this was covered in this short novel but it might have been more apt to call it the retired widow. The fact of the past worklife is not as relevant to the story as the current relationships and the imprint of some past events. I don't think I was expecting quite such a lot of "british suburban detail" as it struck me from the description there might be more corporate/NHS/media or similar societal factors.
I thought the writing was clear and descriptive and the range of characters was broad and I think it would appeal to a wide audience. For me the end was quite abrupt and although the climax was definitely being worked up to for some time it felt a bit blunt in the end and the ins and outs could have definitely had more exploration. The revelations were well handled throughout the novel and definitely had a few surprises. I did not think there was much that was not relevant to the story included which made it a nice tight story. I will definitely try something else by the same author again.
I guess this was covered in this short novel but it might have been more apt to call it the retired widow. The fact of the past worklife is not as relevant to the story as the current relationships and the imprint of some past events. I don't think I was expecting quite such a lot of "british suburban detail" as it struck me from the description there might be more corporate/NHS/media or similar societal factors.
I thought the writing was clear and descriptive and the range of characters was broad and I think it would appeal to a wide audience. For me the end was quite abrupt and although the climax was definitely being worked up to for some time it felt a bit blunt in the end and the ins and outs could have definitely had more exploration. The revelations were well handled throughout the novel and definitely had a few surprises. I did not think there was much that was not relevant to the story included which made it a nice tight story. I will definitely try something else by the same author again.
December 1, 2018
I must admit, I had The Former Chief Executive on my Kindle for some time before I got around to reading it. I was somewhat put off and mislead by the cover and the title, thinking it was a political thriller. It is not a thriller, but it is thought-provoking, suspenseful, psychological fiction.
The plot, incorporating many layers, played out through the interactions a cast of interesting and well-drawn characters is aided by the multiple points of view used.
The pacing starts slowly as the reader gets gradual insight into the lives, the internal complexities, and flaws of these ordinary people. Then it builds with breathtaking speed and comes to a dramatic, Hitchcockian conclusion.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys introspective character studies, dramatic irony and breathtaking endings that stay with you for a while as you fully digest the nuanced drama of ordinary life.
The plot, incorporating many layers, played out through the interactions a cast of interesting and well-drawn characters is aided by the multiple points of view used.
The pacing starts slowly as the reader gets gradual insight into the lives, the internal complexities, and flaws of these ordinary people. Then it builds with breathtaking speed and comes to a dramatic, Hitchcockian conclusion.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys introspective character studies, dramatic irony and breathtaking endings that stay with you for a while as you fully digest the nuanced drama of ordinary life.
November 29, 2020
With convincing characters and perfect pacing, I warmed to this book from the start. The prose is delightfully unfussy, with witty and carefully-chosen metaphors, for example (p. 148):
She didn’t want to prompt the doctor. She knew that like stage psychics they were all too keen to take cues from their audience.
Full review
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She didn’t want to prompt the doctor. She knew that like stage psychics they were all too keen to take cues from their audience.
Full review
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October 9, 2017
Deborah makes a deal with Luca to share her garden and take care of her flowers. She befriends him, to the disdain of his girlfriend and her daughter, Eleanor. Deborah and her daughter have a strained relationship, but in the end, she is still her daughter. I received a copy of this book for an honest review. I received a copy free from LibraryThing.
September 27, 2019
A book that lulls you into thinking it's quite good, but you take a step back and realise it's rubbish.
A lack of plausibility in the main character's backstory.
A lack of character in any of the characters.
A tedious narrative that you assume is leading to something, which it is, but that 'something' is over in a page and a half and we have no clues as to motives, means etc
Just an exercise in creative writing. She can write, but she can't construct plot, characters etc.
Don't waste your time
A lack of plausibility in the main character's backstory.
A lack of character in any of the characters.
A tedious narrative that you assume is leading to something, which it is, but that 'something' is over in a page and a half and we have no clues as to motives, means etc
Just an exercise in creative writing. She can write, but she can't construct plot, characters etc.
Don't waste your time
April 21, 2017
Recently widowed, Deborah signs up for a garden share scheme so that someone will take care of her late husband's garden. The person assigned to share her garden is Luca, a stunningly handsome young man with a criminal past. Although seeming to have nothing in common, Deborah and Luca develop an understanding and are able to empathize with each other as their troubled pasts are slowly revealed.
The plot of this delicately rendered novel is deceptively simple. In fact, there's a lot more going on in that, but much of it hinges on revelations that can't be shared without spoiling the story. Each character, even the seemingly most shallow, has skeletons in their closet that gradually come out, rendering the situation between them increasingly fraught as the plot progresses. This is aided by the multiple points of view used, which not only give the reader insight into the internal processes of both Deborah and Luca, but also allow a buildup of dramatic irony, as one of them will learn something before the other does. "The Former Chief Executive" is not a thriller, but it shares certain themes and technical characteristics with the thriller genre, making it a surprisingly suspenseful read for literary fiction. The prose style is clean without being mannered or stilted, so that it reads like literary fiction while still being clear and easy to follow.
Although not a depressing novel, it does feature illness and death, not in a gruesome way, but as part of the quotidian troubles the characters have to deal with. Deborah was a chief executive in the NHS before a scandal forced her into early retirement; shortly after that, she lost her husband to cancer. So she has experienced the medical profession from both sides: both as one of the people whose job it is to treat health care as a business, and as someone who discovers that when illness is happening to you or a loved one, it isn't business as usual at all, but a life-consuming event. Overall, a gentle and yet deceptively intense short read, filled with fully realized ordinary people undergoing the all-consuming dramas of ordinary life.
My thanks to the author for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
The plot of this delicately rendered novel is deceptively simple. In fact, there's a lot more going on in that, but much of it hinges on revelations that can't be shared without spoiling the story. Each character, even the seemingly most shallow, has skeletons in their closet that gradually come out, rendering the situation between them increasingly fraught as the plot progresses. This is aided by the multiple points of view used, which not only give the reader insight into the internal processes of both Deborah and Luca, but also allow a buildup of dramatic irony, as one of them will learn something before the other does. "The Former Chief Executive" is not a thriller, but it shares certain themes and technical characteristics with the thriller genre, making it a surprisingly suspenseful read for literary fiction. The prose style is clean without being mannered or stilted, so that it reads like literary fiction while still being clear and easy to follow.
Although not a depressing novel, it does feature illness and death, not in a gruesome way, but as part of the quotidian troubles the characters have to deal with. Deborah was a chief executive in the NHS before a scandal forced her into early retirement; shortly after that, she lost her husband to cancer. So she has experienced the medical profession from both sides: both as one of the people whose job it is to treat health care as a business, and as someone who discovers that when illness is happening to you or a loved one, it isn't business as usual at all, but a life-consuming event. Overall, a gentle and yet deceptively intense short read, filled with fully realized ordinary people undergoing the all-consuming dramas of ordinary life.
My thanks to the author for providing a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 1, 2017
Deborah Moore (nee Stevens, former CEO Royal Midlands NHS Trust, hospital) & Peter Moore at one time a young couple had done their own flower/garden & landscaping on their property.
Yrs. later he was diagnosed with cancer. The chemo did not help & he passed away.
With a little encouragement from Maureen, Deborah continued the horticultural task for a while.
Luca worked in the warehouse for Teg (m) who owns Regrowth.
He came to look at Deborah’s garden.
Luca had started to share his life story with her.
Prison was in his past & Luca’s GF Belle worked in a hair styling salon.
She had a son Rocco.
Belle was giving Deborah a makeover.
Later Deborah shared her life with Luca.
Who is Bianca (aka Little Bee)?
What did Eleanor “Ellie” (daughter) reveal to Deborah?
What happened to Maureen’s conservatory?
Dr (.) Ellie mum daughter?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written psychological thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great psychological thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. Creepy! A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Word Press; Author; ARC; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
Yrs. later he was diagnosed with cancer. The chemo did not help & he passed away.
With a little encouragement from Maureen, Deborah continued the horticultural task for a while.
Luca worked in the warehouse for Teg (m) who owns Regrowth.
He came to look at Deborah’s garden.
Luca had started to share his life story with her.
Prison was in his past & Luca’s GF Belle worked in a hair styling salon.
She had a son Rocco.
Belle was giving Deborah a makeover.
Later Deborah shared her life with Luca.
Who is Bianca (aka Little Bee)?
What did Eleanor “Ellie” (daughter) reveal to Deborah?
What happened to Maureen’s conservatory?
Dr (.) Ellie mum daughter?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very well written psychological thriller book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great psychological thriller movie, or better yet a mini TV series. Creepy! A very easy rating of 5 stars.
Thank you for the free Word Press; Author; ARC; PDF book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)
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