Mary Shields is a moody, acerbic probation offer, dealing with some of Glasgow’s worst cases, and her job is on the line. Liam Macdowall was imprisoned for murdering his wife, and he’s published a series of letters to the dead woman, in a book that makes him an unlikely hero – and a poster boy for Men’s Rights activists.
Liam is released on licence into Mary’s care, but things are far from simple. Mary develops a poisonous obsession with Liam and his world, and when her son and Liam’s daughter form a relationship, Mary will stop at nothing to impose her own brand of justice … with devastating consequences.
A heart-pounding, relentless and chilling psychological thriller, rich with deliciously dark and unapologetic humour, Worst Case Scenario is also a perceptive, tragic and hugely relevant book by one of the most exciting names in crime fiction.
Worst Case Scenario by Helen Fitzgerald is published by Orenda Books, as an ebook on 16 March 2019 and in paperback on 17 May 2019. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review.
**DISCLAIMER** I am a fifty-two year old woman. I spent many years working in the criminal justice system. The only reason that I have not been arrested, or sectioned over the past year is purely due to the fact that each night I take a small tablet. That small tablet is HRT, and for that, I am eternally grateful; as is my husband, my parents, my colleagues, my friends, and my cat.
If you too are a menopausal woman, or you are the partner of one, or the friend, or relation, or colleague, you will read Worst Case Scenario and will realise. You will realise that you are not alone; you are not the only one who lays towels on the bedsheets to mop up the unrelenting night sweats, or who wears layers of clothing that can be rapidly removed as your interior heating system goes crazily out of control. You will realise that when your partner/mother/sister/colleague/friend shouted at you last week because the bin men didn't put the wheelie bin back in exactly the right place on the driveway, and that the words that exploded from their lips in louder and more aggressive bursts were not really directed at you, or even at the bin men. No, these were the words and actions of the menopause. I can assure you that whilst it may have hurt you, it hurts us even more.
Worst Case Scenario is a novel about flexi-time. Flexi-time! Well, it's not really the subject of the story, but it's certainly the spark that lit Mary Shield's firework. It was the final straw after years and years of working in Probation. Years and years of doing her best for her clients; running an unofficial food bank from the boot of her car; letting small children keep her expensive sunglasses because they'd never owned anything before. Years and years of writing reports, enduring re-structures and student social workers. Years and years of trying to make a difference. When you are owed over 40 hours in flexi time, and you know that it has to be taken by tomorrow, and you know that tomorrow the machine will tell you that those 40 years have disappeared because it is impossible to take any time out, you know that finally, it's time to leave.
It helps if your husband has finally been 'discovered' and is on the verge of signing a contract for huge amounts of money for his illustrations. It helps that your only son is now settled and training to work in Law. After years of being the main bread winner, it helps.
Mary is leaving. She is going. She is going to be a stand up comic, or practice yoga, or read books. No more will she have to endure the lowest of the low; the child abusers and the rapists. She will be free.
Mary's final case is that of Liam. He murdered his wife, has served a jail sentence and is due to be released. Liam is something of a celebrity, having written a book whilst inside. He has a manager, a huge social media following, and Mary hates him. She hates him even more when her own son becomes mixed up in Liam's family. Her menopausal symptoms come to the forefront and what follows is a roller coaster ride of pure craziness, mixed with flash backs from Mary's life and that of her clients that are heartbreakingly poignant. You will cry; tears of laughter, and also snorting tears of sadness.
Mary is a wonderful character. She's flawed, yet perfectly so. I really can identify with her feelings; with her determination to protect those who she loves, she's like a lioness defending her brood and that single-minded intention is often her downfall. She speaks without thinking, she does things that make you want to cover your eyes in horror; but she's real and funny and underneath the coarse language and the near-alcoholism, she's a tiny bit vulnerable too.
Complex and intricately woven. Worst Case Scenario is a character-led story with a middle-aged, menopausal lead character who one should love, and cheer and applaud; despite her mistakes. It's a brave and clever novel, hugely addictive, tense and hilarious, all at the same time.
Highly recommended from me. Treat yourself, buy this book.
Helen FitzGerald is the bestselling author of ten adult and young adult thrillers, including The Donor (2011) and The Cry (2013), which was longlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year, and is now a major drama for BBC1. Helen worked as a criminal justice social worker for over fifteen years. She grew up in Victoria, Australia. She now lives in Glasgow with her husband.
Find out more at her website
Follow her on Twitter @FitzHelen
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