This British thriller is a standalone.
The story takes place in the 70s. We meet Alice who sees it as a great step when she gets the job as a bunny girl. She runs into the comedian Lenny Maxted, and despite his alcohol problem and his lack of self-esteem, she falls in love with him, and she puts up with quite a lot before she makes up her mind to leave him.
Lenny is one half of the duo Lenny and Jack, so after Lenny´s suicide the rest of the book deals with Alice´s past with Lenny, and what happens when she meets his partner Jack again. At first Alice does not know why Jack appears out of the blue, but a body found in a car is the trigger which has the most sinister consequences for the circle around Lenny.
The time may explain why Alice puts up with men who expect her to wait on them hand and foot, and why all and sundry accept drugs and whisky as facts of life. So even though I often wanted to shout at Alice to pull herself together and think of her self-esteem, I was intrigued by the story much in the same way as by Wilson´s debut, A Little Death (read in my pre-blogging days).
I bought the book myself, and don´t let the title fool you – this one is not cosy.
djskrimiblog 
Dorte – Thanks for this review. Once I knew Alice was a bunny girl, I could see how a title like that might not be the title of a cosy. It does sound like the sort of story that can draw a person in, and I’ve always wondered how people like Alice get in those situations. It’s an interesting question…
Not a cosy? Sounds wonderful still! None of my mysteries are cosies.
I too enjoyed this, though sadly can remember little about it as I read it too long ago, probably when it came out, and for me, too, 2003 was pre-blogging.
A very sinister cover don’t you think? I think i’d also want to shout at Alice as well Dorte.
Margot: yes, her story is fascinating, and it is far too easy to point fingers at a silly girl when you know you had a much safer childhood than she had.
Clarissa: I also enjoy many different subgenres so I just wanted to make sure no one picked it up by mistake.
Maxine: it is only her first that has been translated into Danish and I was very happy when I realized she had written plenty of books. I still have one or two on that TBR.
Tracy: a sinister cover which matches the story.
I can tell from the foreboding colors on the book cover that it’s not a cozy! Sounds like a good thriller.
Harvee: it is nicely sinister.
Hi Dorte, I’d like to interview you for my blog. Please could you get in touch: christine@christinepoulson.co.uk. best, Chrissie
Can I post this on Friday? I think it counts as forgotten.
Patti: sure! And because of the time when it takes place, it also has a very forgotten feel 😉
I wonder if I’d just be annoyed with Alice…
Beth: who knows; you may not have been the only one 😉