Let's Dance

by Frances Fyfield

When Isabel Burley returns home to care for her mother who is suffering from Alzheimer's, she finds a bemused, angry old woman, prey to the threats of failing memory, the inability to run her household - and the local villains who are eyeing her isolated home. But as the villains close in, Isabel finds herself struggling with her own emotions. She thinks she has come home to do some good, but is she really looking for the love she lacked as a child? Alienated by her mother's growing eccentricity, the two women become locked in a relationship of love, conflict and simmering violence, with roots that go deep into the past.

Genres: Crime, Mystery

263 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 1995

About the author

Aka Frances Hegarty.

Frances Fyfield is a criminal lawyer, who lives in London and in Deal, by the sea which is her passion. She has won several awards, including the CWA Silver Dagger.

She grew up in rural Derbyshire, but spent most of her adult life in London, with long intervals in Norfolk and Deal, all inspiring places. She was educated mostly in convent schools; then studied English at Newcastle University and went on to qualify as a solicitor, working for what is now the Crown Prosecution Service, thus learning a bit about murder at second hand. She also worked for the Metropolitan Police.

Years later, writing became her real vocation. She also writes short stories for magazines and radio and is occasionally a contributor to Radio 4, (Front Row, Quote Unquote, Night Waves,) and presenter of Tales from the Stave.

Reviews

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was read with an aching throat, aching for both Isabel the daughter and Serena the mother with whom, to my somewhat horror, I found myself identifying with far more than I wanted to.
As soon as you begin reading Frances Fyfield you know you are in safe hands, and yes this is filed under 'crime fiction', and yes there is a crime or two but by far the worst bit is the damage done by one to another of those who suffer the crime proper. The many layers of family and other villagers.
Is it wrong to say this is a very English crime novel? Which is not to denigrate this or the Scottish and Irish crime and thrillers I've been soaking myself so willingly in, just to note the differences, and be glad for them. Excellent.

[Faith Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great thriller really unnerving and dark at times. You could really feel for each of the main characters and how they all dealt with her Alzheimer's. I couldn't put it down. I'd definitely read another novel by this author.

[Ari Sharp · Rating 2 out of 5]

Haiku Review:

As marbles are lost
Many search up high, down low
For whom they belong.

[Patsy Whiteman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book even though it wasn't what I expected. It's quite a slow book, not at all plot driven, centred more on characters and relationships, focusing on a flawed mother-daughter relationship. Isabel has hella mommy issues in this book, which I honestly couldn't relate to but could kind of understand? From both view points which, is probably a result of good writing, well done Frances.
Serena is Isabel's mother and is struggling with dementia but she is able to appear well enough in front of doctors etc. so that she is not receiving the care she needs. As a result, Isabel moves in with her. Not much happens in the book, which is why I didn't enjoooooy enjoy it; but at the same time I don't think I've ever read a book so focused on mother-daughter relationships, so in that way it was refreshing
I will say the way the book is written, shifting perspectives multiple times within a chapter confused me, maybe it's my pea sized brain but I couldn't handle it lol. Sometimes it was smooth and worked, but sometimes I wasn't sure who was speaking, because of the shift in perspective, which was annoying.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let's Dance is an intriguing English mystery - suspense thriller that delves into the complex and dysfunctional family dynamic of the Burley family, and is interwoven with criminal activity when local ex-felons set their sights on the neglected and isolated family home.

Author Frances Fyfield weaves a slow building, richly descriptive, and complex tale of family intrigue, drama, and criminal activity that will keep the reader spellbound.

Isabel Burley returns to her childhood home to look after her mother Serena, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. Serena has lived alone with her dog in the once grand home that is now in disrepair. Serena's adult children Robert and Isabel have been distant, and for the last three years a local man named George has looked after the old lady and her dog on a daily basis. Serena and Isabel have had a troubled relationship, and when Isabel returns home to take care of Serena, she hopes to build a relationship with her mother who is slowly slipping away into senility. As mother and daughter struggle with the complexity of their past relationship, local felons are curious about George's daily trip to the isolated house, and set their sights on what is within the house's walls.

Let's Dance is a riveting tale of family, responsibility, aging, and the tragedy of Alzheimer's, interwoven with a sinister criminal activity that is frightening and downright chilling.

Author Frances Fyfield draws the reader into the complexity of the Burley family dynamic with their richly detailed past history, and a fascinating description of Serena's slow descent into senility. The story unfolds in a slow building compelling style that is intriguing, the reader is easily drawn into the complex mother-daughter relationship as they struggle with love and conflict, you can't help but connect with the characters and feel torn with emotion. And if that isn't enough to keep you engaged, add in the danger that lurks when local ex-felons come to the isolated house and threaten their lives.

While this novel is cast under the mystery - suspense - thriller genre, I consider this more of a psychological thriller since the heart of the story is the compelling and complex Burley family dynamic. The author cleverly interweaves the criminal activity into the storyline as an added element of danger and thrilling suspense that she is typically known for writing.

Let's Dance is an intense and fascinating English tale of family intrigue that will keep you turning the pages.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher via Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by: Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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[Wall-to-wall books - wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

It was very strange that I liked this book as much as I did, because I couldn't connect with the writing style at all. It was very hard for me to read. But I haven't read anything by this suthor before and honestly, it make me want to read more. I would like to see if this is her usual style or if was for effect because of the nature of the story.

Even though I only rated this 3.5 stars - I could not stop reading this book. This story kind of reminded me of "The Yellow Wallpaper" which I loved (If you haven't read it, you should - its short). My daughter used to work in a home for people with Alzheimer's so I definitely could understand and connect with the characters. I loved Serena (the mother), boy I just wanted to giver a hug! The chapters that were from her journal or thoughts were my favorite, they were so bizarre but sad. And I did cry while reading one of them.

This book started out kind of slow for me, it's the kind that doesn't really grab you right away. But I very slowly started falling in love with it as I grew to love the characters. This book is ALL about the characters.
I even liked Isabel (the daughter), who was not a very likable character. She wanted so much to be loved by her mother, and her mother, at this point just was not able to give her that love. It really made me wonder that if you spent enough time taking care of your mother who has Alzheimer's and seemed like a mean, ungrateful old witch, could you become kind of crazy yourself? This story makes it seem so. I get it! I totally "got" this story. And it was kind of complex really.

Here's a few good lines -
"Do you like me?"
'Yes, very much."
"Which is more important?" she demanded. "liking or loving?"
"Liking, in the long run. It means respect. Love doesn't always mean that."
"I wonder if I've ever been liked, in that case." Isabel said thoughtfully. - kind of sad really

[Marnie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into reading this book thinking it was about a woman who has Alzheimer's and a broken relationship with her daughter; that turns into a dealing with the disease and healing of their relationship. Well, it is about a woman with Alzheimer's and she does have a broken relationship; with everyone. She seems to take a liking to men only. I didn't get much as far as mom and daughter/son coming together. In fact, while there were a few things in here somewhat funny how they ocurred, this book truly did not end well at all. In fact, it turned out to be pretty poorly written. This could have been a good novel, had it stayed with a plot. O well, I guess this book just wasn't for me.

[Emilia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's odd that this is marketed as a crime/mystery novel since there is no mystery about it, really. A somewhat interesting story of a woman who struggles with her aging mother, probably only of interest to readers who have faced or fear facing a similar ordeal.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was excruciating, frightening and a little amusing.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frances Fyfield is an amazing writer; she has the ability to show the very worst of humanity and it's very best in a truly gritty and honest way. Even when endings are 'tied up', there is a part of you, the reader, that is always left a little disturbed...these characters, these people (for they feel real) have made an impact.

Her books never disappoint.