Chickenfeed: Readers Write

We recently gave away several signed copies of Chickenfeed, and some of the winners have been kind enough to send in their comments about the book. If you'd like to add yours to this page, please send an email to: comments@minettewalters.co.uk

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"Having carried out a little research on Norman Thorne on the web, Minette Walters' Chickenfeed is an account of the "chicken farm murder" told as a story but with a slightly different perspective of what might have led to Elsie Cameron's death. Once I started it, I couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting, and it was made all the more of a good read because it was based on fact although it could be argued that what exactly happened to Elsie remains a mystery to this day."
--Jules Hefford, in the UK

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"In Chickenfeed, Minette takes a true story and explores, through fiction, what might have happened to result in the hanging of Norman Thorne for the murder of Elsie Cameron in 1925.

Today, women live with much freedom: they no longer need to survive through marriage; they can support themselves and they can choose whether or not to have children. Life in the '20s was incredibly different, where a woman needed to find a husband to secure her future. A 'difficult' woman would also have a much harder time in finding a husband. In this short tale, a neurotic Elsie sees the placid and malleable Norman as the provider of her future, but as he gets to know Elsie more and more, Norman becomes a reluctant suitor. As he attempts to withdraw from the relationship, Elsie becomes more pushy, backing him into a corner.

The strength in this novella is where Minette brings the pressures and claustrophobia of the period and the circumstances of this relationship to life. It's tense in the shed down on that chicken run. It's tense when Norman receives another letter from Elsie. It's tense as Norman forges ahead with Elsie's plans for him to run a chicken farm; something in which he has no experience and he quickly proves he's neither a natural nor a fast learner.

The tensions and pressures of life in the '20s and the claustrophobia of the relationship make this a page turning read. In taking us back to the '20s, we also learn a lot. It reminds us that we've never had it so good, whether men or women.

In writing this 'Quick Read', Minette has worked well in following the scope of the requirements. It is an easy read. It's also a very good story and told with the psychological insights that can be found in all Minette's novels. Those who are still getting to grips with reading have a treat in store. Those who normally feast on Minette's novels will also find entertainment and pleasure in reading this novella."

--Rhian Davies, in the UK

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