Heartbreaking. I wanted it to go on and on, even as I raced to the end. Excellent, absorbing and totally gripping. -- Melanie Golding, author of The Replacements Writing a review for this book without giving away anything is quite a challenge. The story is based on a true murder case from the 1920s and begins by introducing two women – one married and one unmar

Beatrice Cade is one of thousands of women who aren't married or mothers and is looking to carve out a life for herself. After she takes a job in a stationary office and a room in Bloomsbury women's club, a chance encounter is about to change her life in ways she couldn't have anticipated. Poignant and elegant, brutal and beautiful, Other Women, is a masterclass in modern storytelling. -- Helen Cullen, author of The Truth Must Dazzle Gradually The 1920s was a time of great social, political and economic change. The world was mourning the loss of almost 20 million military personnel and civilians during World War I, followed by the devastating effects of Spanish Flu which killed 50 million people globally.On the south coast of England, an anguished moment between lovers becomes a horrific murder. And two women who should never have met are connected forever. The story is based on a true crime of the period and is written from the POV of the two women; crucially with Bea’s sections being third person while Kate’s are in first. Both are handled very well, particularly Bea’s as she falls in love; overwhelming all of her history, beliefs and judgement. It is also very good as a recreation of the times – post-war changes in the actions and expectations of women, and their increased freedom both socially and economically. Although this is clearly a crime court drama it is not, in any sense, a mystery. The courtroom scenes are all seen from Kate’s perspective, so they don’t have the sort of tension that such scenes often have when seen from that of counsel or the accused, but they work well. The author confirms that much of this is derived from the court records of the case on which the story is based. Overall, it is fairly well balanced. I have to admit to reading this with searing fury boiling in my stomach especially when I discovered Bea is just 37 (my age). Flint does a brilliant job of highlighting the societal expectations and pressures placed on unattached women at this time, despite the greater acceptance of women working. How their lives were vulnerable to judgement about their character and appearance. Which is then ramped up into incredulous victim shaming and misogyny during the trial. A fast paced plot, told in a hugely readable and compelling writing style, I raced through this one. The tension grows throughout the book until it's almost unbearable. This is a book that will stay with you. -- Ann Cleeves

This riveting read is based on a true story which seems to add an extra dimension. I love the way it’s written with the tone changing as the novel progresses as our understanding of events and both women deepens. At the beginning we view a trial and it’s drama is captured in sharp, staccato, snappy sentences matching the eager anticipation of those about to devour the proceedings. As the trial progresses the morality of the times clarifies and the position of women in the 1920’s is made transparent with male control especially seen in the all male jury. The tone here is judgemental and harsh though via Kate there are some small shoots of change. In the early sections of the book there’s plenty of colour but this changes as events unfold and things take a darker turn. This constantly changing tone keeps you interested and utterly absorbed making it a hard book to put down. January 1924 saw the election of the first Labour government in the UK – but the country was already seeing the effects of falling coal production and wage reductions which would lead to the General Strike of 1926. It is 1923 and a country is in mourning. Thousands of husbands, fathers, sons and sweethearts were lost in Europe, millions more returned home wounded and forever changed.Beatrice Cade is an orphan, unmarried and childless. After her brother's death, she decides to make a new life for herself. She takes a room in a Bloomsbury ladies' club and a job in the City. But just when her new world is starting to take shape, a fleeting encounter threatens to ruin everything.