Sophie Hannah’s The Narrow Bed
Books & Poetry
One by one pairs of best friends are being murdered and the only thing connecting the cases is the mysterious white book given to each victim in the days leading up to their death.
For months police have struggled to understand what motivates the killer they have dubbed “Billy Dead Mates”, but they suspect his obsession with friendships is the key… until stand-up comedian Kim Tribbeck arrives on scene.
A loner by choice, Tribbeck was given a white book one year ago while on tour and with no best friends or close personal connections she doesn’t seem like Billy’s typical target. What is the significance of the white books? Why target best friends? And is Tribbeck his next victim??
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The premise of UK writer Sophie Hannah’s The Narrow Bed is intriguing, but the characters are largely unlikable and the plot unfolds extremely slowly.
The cynical and self-absorbed Tribbeck seems unconcerned that she may be a serial killer’s next target, instead complaining about the sudden expectations forced upon her now she is involved in a murder investigation, while insufferable journalist Sondra Halliday’s appears driven by an extreme hatred of men. Then there’s the police: in a department plagued by rivalries, one investigator is preoccupied with uncovering her shifty sister’s secret, and another hides information from his colleagues so he alone can claim credit for capturing “Billy”.
The story is told from several points of views, including that of Tribbeck (who recounts her experiences via the pages of her soon-to-be-published memoir), the investigating officers and Halliday. The frustrating way in which clues are revealed mean several chapters can go by without the reader learning anything about the case.
Most of the action takes place in the book’s final chapters, and there is no denying that Hannah has created a unique killer with novel motivations, but some will find their interest waning before the final reveal.
The Narrow Bed, by Sophie Hannah, Hodder & Stoughton, $29.99.
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