"In 1978, a single black woman known locally as "Mad Annie" lies dying in the roadside. When a verdict of accidental death is recorded, residents of Graham Road, where she lived, breathe a collective sigh of relief. As far as they were concerned Annie Butts was a repellent alcoholic with a foul mouth. It is only Mrs Ranelagh, a young teacher who refuses to accept the court's decision. Something convinced her that Annie was murdered and 20 years later she returns from overseas with enough evidence to reopen the case.
Although the story is narrated by Mrs Ranelagh, the inclusion of much of the documentary evidence she has amassed including photographs, letters and e-mails, gives the reader the freedom to interpret characters and events for themselves. Motivation remains an endless source of fascination for Walters and the presence of several of Mrs Ranelagh's psychiatric reports, ensures that the reasons behind her commitment to the case also remain ambiguous.

Shape of Snakes is a masterful piece of writing that probes deeply into the mind of an isolated, bruised woman, showing remarkable psychological insight. Using her unrivalled talent for characterisation, Walters examines the ease with which we accept the public persona as an accurate representation of the true nature of an individual. In peeling back the layers of this public face, Walters has created a dark and uncomfortable novel--a compelling read that reinforces her position as one of this country's most skilful crime writers....." from amazon.co.uk

First of all I have to say sorry that it took me sooo long to register the book(s). I was so happy when I found your surprise box in my mail. A big THANKS to Lisa-B. You really made a good choice and i am loooking forward to reading the English books you ray'ed to me :-)) And they will travel on - I promise!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

A German bookcrosser was asking for another of my Minette Walters books, so I thought that she might also like this one.

I read it already a while ago, but saw now, that I missed the JE. Sorry for that. I liked it! =)

The book is now travelling on to Nachtgeier! ENJOY and have a good read!

Ooooh. Thank you! Actually this is my favorite book from M. Walters. Then I lent my copy to a colleague of my mom never to be seen again *grrr*.
I managed to grab another one from a BC Meet-up but that was most wanted so I read it very fast so it could travel on...
I will surely read it again, maybe not this year, but I will. I'm tempted to set it to PC...but as it will become available again some day I'll leave it as TBR.
This is a nice bookcrossing example of the Igors saying: "What goeth around, cometh around."

Im Bücherregal.

Took it to bring it to my english class.

To promote BC.