The Devil's Feather

Many of you have written to say how much you've enjoyed Minette's latest book, The Devil's Feather. If you would like to add a comment to this page, please send us an email:

comments@minettewalters.co.uk

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Maureen, in Canada

I just finished reading The Devil’s Feather last night, and in my opinion it’s your best yet.  The story line, with the currency of abductions in places of political unrest contrasted with the ostensible quiet of a rural town, was most interesting.  I’ve discovered my preferred “appeal factor” in fiction is character, however, and I really liked Connie, Jess, Peter and Connie’s parents.  I was totally gripped by the suspense (psychological and otherwise)—something you do exceedingly well, and I particularly enjoyed the ambiguity of the ending. Thank you for another great read!

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Heather, in Australia

I am a great fan of yours and have read all your books up to date with The Devil's Feather and loved your characters in it and the story line, and once I started it I could not put it down so I had a late night reading in bed to finish your book and it was as always great reading.

I love your website and all your news and photos of your animals and am on your mailing list so I stay up to date on what is happening and when your next book is due and then I am always one of the first to buy it ,so keep up your very good work as you have millions of fans out there and your books are always out on loan or have reserves on them at my local library... I look forward to the book you write next!

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Anonymous, in New Zealand

I have just finished reading The Devil's Feather.  Wow, it was good.  Just wanted to let you know that, as a survivor of abuse I thought you were right on the money in your narrative and discussion of PTSD.  Not always a pleasant subject to get a handle on.  The more women write about these subjects, then the more the reader is aware of the consequences to sufferers.  Well written and believable characters as well.  I loved the book.  Many thanks!

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Esther, in the US

I just wanted to tell you how I "met" your books. I'm Cuban and had never heard of you until, on a trip to Australia I saw The Sculptress on TV. As we all know, the book us usually better than the movie, so I bought the book. That was 1997. Today, I live in USA and just finished reading The Devil's Feather (had it shipped from UK. Certainly couldn't wait until 2006!). The book is awesome! I couldn't put it down and have only one word to say: MORE!

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Joanne, in the UK

I just wanted to say "hi" and how much I have enjoyed reading you book The Devil's Feather. This is the first book that I have read by you and I am certainly going to read ALL of your other books. Your book had me gripped and I found it very difficult to put down!! I loved the characters and have my own image of how they would look in the flesh and the house if I saw them in real life. The book was so realistic I had to keep looking to make sure it wasn't a true story, it sounded so much like a true personal experience. Anyway, thank you for taking the time to read this email and I am really looking forward to reading your other work.

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Norm, in Canada

Just finished reading The Devil's Feather and I LOVED it. I have all of your books and I always look forward to your next novel. I know I will never be disappointed! I look forward to your next one... I even purchased a signed edition of your book The Shape of Snakes on eBay....I hope the signature is authentic!

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Chas, in Canada

When future literary historians examine the evolution of the crime fiction, the body of work of Minette Walters will be recognized as pivotal in the forward development of the genre. In her 11th novel, Ms Walters continues to refine her signature with a wonderfully crafted suspense where there are classical elements of the mystery novel: puzzles to solve and clues to help (or distract), and a body (or rather lack of one). But in typical Walters’ style there is the gradual revealing of characters in depth, layer by layer in a psychological striptease.

The storyteller is a foreign correspondent, Connie Burns. In Sierra Leone Connie witnesses the trial of three soldiers accused of the brutal  murder of three prostitutes (“devils’ feathers”). She suspects a white mercenary is responsible but her attempts at exposure are unsuccessful. Move to post-Saddam Iraq. Connie is abducted and abused, but blindfolded. She becomes certain that her abductor is her murder suspect from West Africa, now using the name ‘MacKenzie’.

Released but unable to talk of her ordeal, Connie returns to England degraded and terrified. She rents an isolated country house that has secrets of its own. She is befriended by a neighbour, Jess, who is an integral player in those secrets. Together they await the inevitable coming of MacKenzie.  The suspense builds and the book becomes a compulsive page turner. The confrontation when it happens proves to be a catharsis for Connie. Actually seeing her abuser and his minor stature replaces the bogeyman. The opportunity for revenge occurs. Does she take it? Apparently not. The police are called but the captive MacKenzie has vanished, without trace (until his arm washes up some time later). Connie and Jess are quizzed repeatedly as suspects of murder but the police cannot shake their story. The reader is left to his or her own conclusion. There are clues, or are they just red-herrings? A damn good read with a banquet of food for thought!

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Milly, in the UK

I was fortunate enough to meet Minette recently at the Ottakars Store in Dorchester, where she was signing copies of her latest bestseller, The Devil's Feather. As an avid crime reader and huge Minette fan, I have got and read all her books...I have to say that this is her best yet! I look forward to the next book.

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Jaime, in the US

I started reading The Devil's Feather as soon as the mailman delivered it to my door. I could not put it down! Minette Walters is constantly raising the bar on what her readers should expect, and with The Devil's Feather she has surpassed it. One of the best books from one of my favorite writers. I suggest that everyone buy a copy today!

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Wendy, in the US

It's very hard to come to the end of a book which one is enjoying so much, and The Devil's Feather is no exception. As usual, Minette Walters does a first rate job of holding the reader's attention with a clever topical story, and with complex, interesting characters, but then what else can we expect of Minette Walters? Her writing is crisp and intelligent and in no time at all the reader is being swept along, desperately anxious to find out what happens, yet relucant to finish the book - it's a winner!