Disturbance

5 stars

Disturbance is the fourth novel by British journalist and author, Marianne Kavanagh. It is years since Sara Porter's marriage has been idyllic, but when a back injury forces Mike to work from the couch at home, it hits a new low. Mike has never been particularly patient, but the pain turns him into a difficult, irascible, demanding bully. He expects Sara to give up her job with a legal firm to cater to his every whim.

Sara is grateful that village teenager, Katie’s dog walking service seems to curb Bundle’s manic backyard barking and, before long, she is relying on Katie’s support in other areas. Managing the big Old Rectory, her two teenaged sons (one on the autism spectrum) and Mike is a challenge, even when Mike returns to work part-time.

When, thanks to Katie’s involvement, Sara begins to interact with the villagers, she’s at first wary, but soon accepts that their concern and advice is benign, although she always plays down Mike’s belligerent behaviour, his pain as the excuse. She’s going to need their support when tragedy strikes.

Kavanagh’s depiction of the modern English village is an excellent one, and if some of the villagers seem rather stereotypical, it is worth remembering that, due to several factors, not the least of these being her stressful circumstances, Sara's narrative may not be entirely reliable. This story deftly demonstrates the power of gossip in the village setting. Without including spoilers, it is difficult to say much more about this story, except that it is brilliantly plotted, the psychopath is very well portrayed and it has a deliciously ambiguous ending. An utterly superb read!