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Paint Me A Picture
Mavis Forthright carefully rehearses her jump from Portsmouth's Round Tower. She's existed for over five decades. Lived hardly at all. Will end her misery with a few second's fall into the cold sea. Except she's not quite ready to die. A half day's delay to try a bacon sandwich from the cafe won't matter; Mother's no longer there to disapprove.
She delays another day to lend Janice a book. Then a week to use her new paints. A month. Until the end of term. Mavis makes new to live, to create paintings full of emotion, perhaps even make friends.
As if to balance her survival a number of people connected to Mavis die. At first that doesn't matter. They're people she dislikes. Mavis continues painting, tending her garden, feeding the birds and keeping her home properly clean, without additional concern. Then people who've been kind to Mavis are killed or injured. That shouldn't happen.
Why are people dying? Is it because of charming Norman who's back from her past, or is that strange boy Jake her mistaken guardian angel? Perhaps Mavis herself is to blame. She must learn the truth, stop the deaths and protect those she's learned to care about before she can enjoy the new life she's making for herself.
She delays another day to lend Janice a book. Then a week to use her new paints. A month. Until the end of term. Mavis makes new to live, to create paintings full of emotion, perhaps even make friends.
As if to balance her survival a number of people connected to Mavis die. At first that doesn't matter. They're people she dislikes. Mavis continues painting, tending her garden, feeding the birds and keeping her home properly clean, without additional concern. Then people who've been kind to Mavis are killed or injured. That shouldn't happen.
Why are people dying? Is it because of charming Norman who's back from her past, or is that strange boy Jake her mistaken guardian angel? Perhaps Mavis herself is to blame. She must learn the truth, stop the deaths and protect those she's learned to care about before she can enjoy the new life she's making for herself.
382 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2012
About the author
Patsy Collins
53 books52 followersPatsy Collins will write anywhere she can reach in her campervan and has written most of her books 'on location'.
She's the author of six novels; one murder mystery, four contemporary romances and one coming of age story with a difference. Hundreds of her short stories have been published in magazines or placed in competitions. Some of these stories have been included in over twenty themed collections of 24 short stories.
Patsy also runs the womagwriter blog and is co-author of From Story Idea to Reader – an accessible guide to writing fiction and A Year Of Ideas:365 sets of writing prompts and exercises.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 2, 2012
Life’s what we make it, isn’t it? But what happens when you reach that middle-age and decide you’ve had enough of making do?
Mavis reaches that point and opts to jump ship. Her life has been disappointing and she’s frustrated by the legacy of a domineering mother.
But don’t despair, life has more in store for Mavis and Patsy Collins’s latest book is a lesson in the value of life.
A kind gesture, a smile – such little things we all take for granted. But for Mavis they mean the world.
There’s an under-current of mystery to the tale – Mavis is an avid reader of Agatha Christie and Ms Collins subtly weaves a few ‘what ifs’ through the book. There are a few red herrings, a few wrong paths.
Mavis’s character is at odds with her colleagues – their life experiences differ so much from her own. But when they take those first steps to find some common ground, it’s clear all have things to learn.
Despite the book’s apparent dark theme, this is a brightly written story. Mavis isn’t a depressing character. Her development is inspiring and I can’t help feeling we all know a Mavis.
Mavis reaches that point and opts to jump ship. Her life has been disappointing and she’s frustrated by the legacy of a domineering mother.
But don’t despair, life has more in store for Mavis and Patsy Collins’s latest book is a lesson in the value of life.
A kind gesture, a smile – such little things we all take for granted. But for Mavis they mean the world.
There’s an under-current of mystery to the tale – Mavis is an avid reader of Agatha Christie and Ms Collins subtly weaves a few ‘what ifs’ through the book. There are a few red herrings, a few wrong paths.
Mavis’s character is at odds with her colleagues – their life experiences differ so much from her own. But when they take those first steps to find some common ground, it’s clear all have things to learn.
Despite the book’s apparent dark theme, this is a brightly written story. Mavis isn’t a depressing character. Her development is inspiring and I can’t help feeling we all know a Mavis.
April 26, 2021
Lots of twists and turns with plenty of drama thrown in. Interesting and entertaining characters. Intriguing story that keeps you guessing until the end. Hard to put down. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 27, 2024
Patsy Collins’s Paint Me A Picture is a lovely book - touching on subjects as diverse as office politics and poor parenting. It is a story of despair and hope.
Set in Portsmouth, Paint Me A Picture tells a sad story, sometimes difficult read, but with many moments of gentle humour. A great novel. Highly recommended.
Set in Portsmouth, Paint Me A Picture tells a sad story, sometimes difficult read, but with many moments of gentle humour. A great novel. Highly recommended.
September 16, 2012
I recommend this if you like a good story that rolls along and keeps you entertained. It's a real page-turner and Mavis is a gem! She's an oddball - having lived at home with Mother until Mother's recent death - and has never been allowed to think for herself. At the beginning of the book, she is planning to throw herself into the sea and end it all, but it seems that every day something happens to thwart her plan. As she begins to live her life, the plan goes on hold and we see Mavis learning to make friends, modify her often strange behaviour, think before she speaks and mould a life for herself. A string of deaths that all look like murder occur too close to home - could Mavis be implicated in these? This adds and extra element to the story and I wasn't sure how things were going to turn out until I was almost at the very end. It's a satisfying read - an escape into another world, albeit Mavis' rather strange one! Compelling!
April 13, 2017
Mavis is a strange heroine - I wanted to slap her several times throughout the book - but I loved the character development that Collins took her through. She has a plan at the start of the story, but the plan keeps getting thwarted. The author developed several themes of loneliness in older age, grief, and how people aren't always how they first appear.
April 3, 2025
You know those books that sneak up on you? The ones where you think, “Okay, I’ll read a couple of chapters before bed,” and next thing you know, it’s 2 a.m. and you’re still turning pages? Paint Me A Picture is exactly that kind of book. On the surface, it’s about Mavis — a bitter, middle-aged woman who’s spent her whole life looking after her mother. Not exactly thrilling, right? But wow, I was hooked. Mavis is one of those characters who gets under your skin. You think you know her, but there’s so much more bubbling beneath the surface.
Is she just lonely? Suicidal? Or maybe something darker? The book keeps you guessing in the best way. I found myself waking up thinking about her and what might happen next — that’s when you know the author nailed it. The plot moves at a perfect pace, with enough twists and tension to keep you turning pages, but it never feels over the top. Plus, I loved how it subtly weaves in stuff about art and gardening without feeling like a lecture. I’m not into either, but I still found it super interesting.
This is the kind of book I’d recommend to anyone who wants something well-written but not heavy. It’s not gory, it’s not sappy, and it’s not trying too hard to be deep — it’s just a good story with great characters. If you’re looking for something absorbing but easy to read, give this one a shot.
Is she just lonely? Suicidal? Or maybe something darker? The book keeps you guessing in the best way. I found myself waking up thinking about her and what might happen next — that’s when you know the author nailed it. The plot moves at a perfect pace, with enough twists and tension to keep you turning pages, but it never feels over the top. Plus, I loved how it subtly weaves in stuff about art and gardening without feeling like a lecture. I’m not into either, but I still found it super interesting.
This is the kind of book I’d recommend to anyone who wants something well-written but not heavy. It’s not gory, it’s not sappy, and it’s not trying too hard to be deep — it’s just a good story with great characters. If you’re looking for something absorbing but easy to read, give this one a shot.
April 29, 2025
From the first chapter, Paint Me A Picture had a very different feel than what I expected. The premise sounded simple a woman rebuilding her life after the death of her domineering mother but the story goes far beyond that. It’s part quiet character study, part cozy mystery, and part darkly funny observation of what it means to start over later in life.
What impressed me most was how well Patsy Collins balances tone. This isn’t a heavy or dramatic story, but it also doesn’t shy away from life’s messier emotions grief, loneliness, uncertainty. Mavis Forthright is such a refreshingly original protagonist. She’s not someone you’d describe as "likable" in the traditional sense, but she grows on you with every chapter. I loved how her interactions with the people around her from art classmates to nosy neighbors slowly chip away at the shell she’s built around herself.
And yes, there are unexpected deaths, but the suspense never overwhelms the story. It’s more about the questions it raises: Is Mavis in danger? Is she imagining things? Or is she more involved than she lets on? The slow unraveling of that tension is incredibly satisfying. If you enjoy fiction that combines wit, heart, and a little mystery, this book is a gem.
What impressed me most was how well Patsy Collins balances tone. This isn’t a heavy or dramatic story, but it also doesn’t shy away from life’s messier emotions grief, loneliness, uncertainty. Mavis Forthright is such a refreshingly original protagonist. She’s not someone you’d describe as "likable" in the traditional sense, but she grows on you with every chapter. I loved how her interactions with the people around her from art classmates to nosy neighbors slowly chip away at the shell she’s built around herself.
And yes, there are unexpected deaths, but the suspense never overwhelms the story. It’s more about the questions it raises: Is Mavis in danger? Is she imagining things? Or is she more involved than she lets on? The slow unraveling of that tension is incredibly satisfying. If you enjoy fiction that combines wit, heart, and a little mystery, this book is a gem.
April 30, 2025
This book is a bit of an oddball and I mean that as the highest compliment. I picked it up expecting a quiet slice-of-life read, but what I got was this beautifully strange mix of gentle humor, emotional depth, and just enough suspense to keep me flipping pages late into the night. Paint Me A Picture is a perfect example of how a story doesn’t need high stakes or explosive drama to be utterly compelling.
Mavis Forthright is one of the most original characters I’ve read in a long time. She’s tightly wound, meticulous, and often hilariously out of touch with the world around her but she’s also heartbreakingly vulnerable. You watch her slowly, painfully step out of her comfort zone and into a world that surprises her at every turn. Whether it's awkward attempts at socializing or the darkly comic way she reacts to the people dying around her, Mavis is never boring.
There’s a scene involving a cat, an electric drill, and some unexpected blood that had me laughing out loud and then immediately wondering if I should be worried. That’s the tone of the book in a nutshell: quirky, sometimes unsettling, and always entertaining. Highly recommend it to readers who appreciate character-driven stories that are just a little bit offbeat, but full of heart.
Mavis Forthright is one of the most original characters I’ve read in a long time. She’s tightly wound, meticulous, and often hilariously out of touch with the world around her but she’s also heartbreakingly vulnerable. You watch her slowly, painfully step out of her comfort zone and into a world that surprises her at every turn. Whether it's awkward attempts at socializing or the darkly comic way she reacts to the people dying around her, Mavis is never boring.
There’s a scene involving a cat, an electric drill, and some unexpected blood that had me laughing out loud and then immediately wondering if I should be worried. That’s the tone of the book in a nutshell: quirky, sometimes unsettling, and always entertaining. Highly recommend it to readers who appreciate character-driven stories that are just a little bit offbeat, but full of heart.
April 3, 2025
You know that one person in your neighborhood — the quiet, middle-aged woman who keeps to herself, always seems a bit cranky, and lives for her garden? That’s Mavis. Or at least, that’s who you think Mavis is. What I loved about Paint Me A Picture is how it takes a character who seems so ordinary and makes you realize how much more there is beneath the surface. The book has this sneaky way of pulling you in. One minute you’re reading about Mavis going to art class, the next minute you’re wondering if she’s completely losing her mind... or if something worse is going on.
It’s not just about the suspense, though. The characters feel real — they mess up, they have off days, and they surprise you. Even the everyday stuff, like gardening or office life, somehow feels interesting because the author writes it so well. I also loved that it wasn’t trying to be a heavy, dramatic book. It’s clever, fast-paced, and honestly, just a fun read.
If you’re tired of books that are too gory or too sappy and just want something well-written that keeps you hooked, I highly recommend this one. It’s perfect for curling up with on a lazy afternoon.
It’s not just about the suspense, though. The characters feel real — they mess up, they have off days, and they surprise you. Even the everyday stuff, like gardening or office life, somehow feels interesting because the author writes it so well. I also loved that it wasn’t trying to be a heavy, dramatic book. It’s clever, fast-paced, and honestly, just a fun read.
If you’re tired of books that are too gory or too sappy and just want something well-written that keeps you hooked, I highly recommend this one. It’s perfect for curling up with on a lazy afternoon.
March 28, 2025
What a refreshing read! I went into this book expecting something a little heavy — I mean, it starts with Mavis, an obsessive-compulsive spinster who’s ready to call it quits after a lifetime of taking care of her overbearing mother. But wow, was I wrong! This book is anything but depressing. Patsy Collins writes with so much warmth and wit that you can’t help but root for Mavis as she slowly starts to reconnect with life.
The characters feel like people you’d actually know — they’re not perfect, which makes them even more lovable. I really appreciated how the plot moves at a realistic pace. It doesn’t rush to a happy ending; instead, it takes its time, showing Mavis’s growth in small but meaningful moments. Whether it’s a tiny act of kindness or an unexpected encounter with death (yes, there’s a cat and some blood involved — you’ll just have to read it!), every scene feels vibrant and relatable. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good character-driven story with heart and humor
The characters feel like people you’d actually know — they’re not perfect, which makes them even more lovable. I really appreciated how the plot moves at a realistic pace. It doesn’t rush to a happy ending; instead, it takes its time, showing Mavis’s growth in small but meaningful moments. Whether it’s a tiny act of kindness or an unexpected encounter with death (yes, there’s a cat and some blood involved — you’ll just have to read it!), every scene feels vibrant and relatable. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good character-driven story with heart and humor
April 25, 2025
I didn’t expect to fall in love with a story about a middle-aged woman learning how to live after her mother’s death, but that’s exactly what happened with Paint Me A Picture. Mavis Forthright is not the kind of character you’d think would carry a novel she’s quiet, practical, even a little prickly but somehow, I found myself completely captivated by her journey. Patsy Collins doesn’t make her a caricature or a cliché; she writes Mavis with so much empathy and depth that you can’t help but root for her.
This book shines in the little moments an awkward interaction in an art class, a hesitant step toward connection, or a surprising encounter in the garden. It’s full of gentle humor and emotional honesty, and the writing has a warmth to it that sneaks up on you. I especially loved how the mystery element was layered in subtle enough not to overshadow the character work, but strong enough to keep the pages turning. It reminded me that some of the most powerful stories aren’t the loudest ones, but the ones that whisper something true.
This book shines in the little moments an awkward interaction in an art class, a hesitant step toward connection, or a surprising encounter in the garden. It’s full of gentle humor and emotional honesty, and the writing has a warmth to it that sneaks up on you. I especially loved how the mystery element was layered in subtle enough not to overshadow the character work, but strong enough to keep the pages turning. It reminded me that some of the most powerful stories aren’t the loudest ones, but the ones that whisper something true.
March 4, 2025
Paint Me A Picture by Patsy Collins is like a burst of sunshine on a rainy day! This story is deep and emotional with a pinch of hope. This story feels so real, so raw, and so relevant nowadays, I can't believe it was first published in 2012!
The main character Mavis... oh my, all I wanted was to give her a massive cuddle! There wasn't a reference to autistic trades (and in 2012 there wasn't kind of enough awareness out there) but for me, it felt that Mavis falls into the Neurodiverse pond. I loved to see the daily struggles and successes through Mavis's eyes!
Mavis has a plan to end things, she had enough at the same time she will take any chance to delay her plan. And then things and events unfold and life takes completely different turns!
This is not one of them stories where you sit on the edge of your seat or bite your nails, this is a story that feels like a heart-to-heart chat with a friend who lets you into the deepest, darkest emotional world.
This is my second book by Patsy Collins and I found that I absolutely love her writing! It's so friendly, so down to the ground, and it's connect with you on completely different level!
I listened to an audiobook narrated by Deborah Keating and this is one of the books where you feel how the narrator connects with the book and the combination of writing style and narration brings a brilliant experience. Absolutely and highly recommend this audiobook!
I am looking forward all other books by Patsy Collins that I have and who will be released!
If you read and loved The Maid by Nita Prose you will love this book!
The main character Mavis... oh my, all I wanted was to give her a massive cuddle! There wasn't a reference to autistic trades (and in 2012 there wasn't kind of enough awareness out there) but for me, it felt that Mavis falls into the Neurodiverse pond. I loved to see the daily struggles and successes through Mavis's eyes!
Mavis has a plan to end things, she had enough at the same time she will take any chance to delay her plan. And then things and events unfold and life takes completely different turns!
This is not one of them stories where you sit on the edge of your seat or bite your nails, this is a story that feels like a heart-to-heart chat with a friend who lets you into the deepest, darkest emotional world.
This is my second book by Patsy Collins and I found that I absolutely love her writing! It's so friendly, so down to the ground, and it's connect with you on completely different level!
I listened to an audiobook narrated by Deborah Keating and this is one of the books where you feel how the narrator connects with the book and the combination of writing style and narration brings a brilliant experience. Absolutely and highly recommend this audiobook!
I am looking forward all other books by Patsy Collins that I have and who will be released!
If you read and loved The Maid by Nita Prose you will love this book!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews