The Girls

During the summer months, especially when the southwest winds sweep across the yard, a potent odor emanates from the septic tank. "Oh, it is a body," remark the girls. "We have a body in there. It’s not someone you know. It’s decomposing, of course, but at such a sluggish pace that it leaves one quite despondent." In their charming, serene village in the Cotswolds, Janet and Susan are affectionately referred to by the locals as "the girls." Both romantically and professionally partnered, they run a quaint shop and enjoy a life many would find enviable and contentedly stable. Yet, when an unexpected moment of passion disrupts the harmony of their lives, the girls find themselves facing profound and unsettling changes. Motherhood appears first, followed by an encounter with murder. John Bowen’s "The Girls" seamlessly blends elements of macabre comedy, crime thriller, and cozy romance, creating a narrative unlike any other. The story, conveyed with warmth, affection, and humor, yet tinged with darkness and disquiet, offers a new perspective on the quaintness of Middle England. Armistead Maupin calls it "Absolutely wicked," while Gore Vidal describes it as "Startlingly offbeat." According to the Washington Post, it's perfect for those who enjoy a mixture of Myra Breckinridge and Miss Marple, as well as fans of Beryl Bainbridge, Russell Greenan, and Patricia Highsmith. It is a tale for those who feel a kinship with both Barbara Pym and Stephen King, charming readers as only certain village life stories can.