Nicholas Hardiman is a famous British crime novelist. He and his wife, Beth, run a writer's retreat at their country home, Stonefield. In truth, it is Beth who does all the work of the business, and performs all secretarial duties for her husband's writing also, allowing him to concentrate on his work. She knows he is unfaithful, which is causing some strain in their relationship after 25 years.
Just down the road is an estate recently inherited by a young columnist from London, Tamara Drewe. She flirts with all the men - including Nicholas - whenever she breezes into Stonefield for a visit. Andy Cobb, the Hardiman's gardener, is serious when he tells her he preferred her face before her nose job, but he is definitely interested in Tamara. Unfortunately for Andy, Tamara gets involved with Ben Sargeant, the drummer from a rock band. Who happens to be the heart-throb of one of the teenagers in the local village, Jody Long.
A satirical, tangled plot of seduction, betrayal and death, this story is a contemporary version of Thomas Hardy's Far From the Madding Crowd. And I haven't even got to the best part yet; it's a finely-drawn graphic novel in full colour. Available in book format or online. Very highly recommended.
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