Momster-in-law from hell

THE OTHER WOMAN Sandie Jones Loot.co.za (R363) Minotaur7

THE OTHER Woman in the title of Sandie Jones’s thriller isn’t an ex-girlfriend, a new affair or an obsessive stalker – though heroine Emily Havistock might welcome any of those rivals for the affections of Adam Banks.

Instead, the conniving woman who wants to keep Adam all to herself is the one person Emily has no chance against: his mother, Pammie.

A seemingly physically weak and thoughtful woman, Pammie is a monster in disguise, who will do anything to keep her oldest son all to herself in this excellent debut.

British author Jones delivers a tightly coiled story in The Other

Woman and fills it with believable characters.

Jones’s first novel showcases the limitless boundaries – and continuing appeal – of the domestic mystery, while adding elements of the psychological thriller.

Emily quickly falls for London IT recruiter Adam, and he feels the same about her. Her only hesitation is that Adam never wants to talk about his past or his family, preferring to deflect any questions by asking about her background.

Then Emily is introduced to Pammie, who seems nice at first – and tells Adam how much she likes Emily.

But soon Pammie indulges in little aggressions, like fainting when Adam proposes to Emily during a party, criticising her wedding gown during a fitting, inviting Emily’s worst enemy on a trip and faking illnesses.

But Adam refuses to believe that his mother is anything less than perfect.

And Emily begins to wonder just what happened to Adam’s previous girlfriend, who died in an accident and whose body was found by Pammie.

Jones keeps The Other Woman on a brisk path as she delves into the motives of a home-grown monster.

Yet Jones doesn’t go overboard in developing Pammie’s character, either.

Everyone knows someone whose compliments are veiled insults or “a barbed snipe”, and whose neediness consumes the air around them.

Emily’s love for Adam and her misgivings about him are believable.

Although the ending feels rushed, Jones still keeps the story thoroughly intriguing.

Emily just wants a happy home ,and her belief in the power of love enhances the realism of The Other Woman