The Woman on the Ledge by Ruth Mancini

Truly a novel of two halves. First, it is a fast -paced thriller, starting with an arrest for murder with a legal drama as the murderer tells her solicitor what happened. Then the second part tells the truth.

Set in the heart of London's financial district, this is a clever and ambitious tale, mostly told in the first person from the perspective of the accused. She claims that she met the victim the  week before at a party where she planned to take her own life, but she managed to talk her down, only to discover that she jumped from the ledge a few days later. The story doesn't add up and it seems that only the solicitor notices these subtle clues. Sure in the confidentiality protocol, the real motives and events are revealed. Here new characters are introduced and the past is accessed and the story is a slower pace although there are some disturbing aspects.

A carefully plotted and complex book about power over the self as well as others, obsession and revenge. Original, exciting and borders on being a little far-fetched at times, until the levels of intense desire for justice and indemnity are taken into account. A long read but it does seem like two books. Recommended.

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Published by Random House, Cornerstone on 4 January 2024.
Advance review copy supplied by the publisher.

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