Happy New Year! Today, I’m taking part in First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, hosted by Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea, in which bloggers share the first paragraph of a book they’re reading or thinking of reading soon.
Harriet said: ‘No you don’t, you keep walking.’ I wanted to turn round and look back at the dark house but she tugged at my arm fiercely. We walked over the field hand in hand as if we were little girls.
Kindle Edition
From the Publisher.
The infamous Parker–Hulme murder case inspired thisfrightening tale of adolescent transgression in an English seaside town.
When a thirteen-year-old girl returns from boarding school to her small hometown in Merseyside for summer break, her best friend, Harriet, is not back yet, and she’s restless, anxious for something—anything—to happen. In this state of troubled anticipation, she visits the beach and encounters Peter Biggs, an elegant yet disheveled man in the throes of middle age and an unhappy marriage. A stirring inside of the budding woman makes her feel irresistibly attracted to this man . . . and simultaneously repulsed. But she doesn’t dare do anything about it until Harriet arrives.
One year older and much more mischievous, Harriet returns to find her friend in a state of confused obsession. The two girls hatch a plan to “humble” Biggs. At Harriet’s command they proceed to methodically spy on him and his wife, manipulate his desires, and ensnare him in an act of incriminating humiliation, all on the premise that this will be their most daring summer yet. But the power these young women possess is perhaps more sinister and unwieldy than anyone realizes.
Award-winning British author Beryl Bainbridge’s first novel, Harriet Said is loosely based on the Parker–Hulme teenage murder case in New Zealand dramatized in the Kate Winslet film Heavenly Creatures. It was originally completed in 1958; however, editors were so scandalized by its gruesome and amoral content that the book was not published until 1972. It has since become a horror classic.
Would you keep reading?
Diane D said:
Love boarding school stories, I’d read this one. Glad to have you here Heather.
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Hfineisen said:
I love boarding school stories, too and the fact this is bases off a true story is even more intriguing. Happy Reading!
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cleopatralovesbooks said:
I read this last year and fell in love with Beryl Bainbridge’s books as a result. Fantastic choice 😊
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Hfineisen said:
Thanks. I look forward to finishing it. Happy Reading!
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Hfineisen said:
This will be my first one but I love the plot line.
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Laurel-Rain Snow said:
I remember that film, Heavenly Creatures…and wow! Now I must read this book.
I have another book by the author, Sweet William, that I haven’t read yet, but in studying the author’s list, I noticed this one. Interesting cover, title, blurb…and excerpts.
Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
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Hfineisen said:
I’m really enjoying it. Thanks for stopping by.
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Margot @ Joyfully Retired said:
I’d like to read this book. I’m also familiar with the old case and Anne Perry’s work. Very powerful.
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Hfineisen said:
I’m fascinated by it and the whole Perry connection!
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Kay said:
How very, very interesting. And perhaps based on the same case as the one featured in Heavenly Creatures? You know, one of those girls in that case grew up to be mystery author Anne Perry. I still think that is so very curious.
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