Description

‘A wonderfully warm and involving page-turner.’ Clare Chambers, Sunday Times bestselling author of Small Pleasures

‘A life-affirming novel, full of surprises. It’s a gripping literary whodunnit and so much more . . . I adored it.’ Emma Stonex, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lamplighters

‘Full of unforgettable characters, a beguiling mystery with gorgeous prose, The Night in Question completely captured my heart . . . A triumph.’ Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things

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Florence Butterfield has lived an extraordinary life full of travel, passion and adventure. But, at eighty-seven, she suspects there are no more surprises to come her way.

Then, one midsummer’s night, something terrible happens – so strange and unexpected that Florrie is suspicious. Was this really an accident, or is she living alongside a would-be murderer?

The only clue is a magenta envelope, discarded earlier that day.

And Florrie – cheerfully independent but often overlooked – is the only person determined to uncover the truth.

As she does, Florrie finds herself looking back on her own life . . . and a long-buried secret, traced in faded scars across her knuckles, becomes ever harder to ignore.

Readers of Elizabeth is Missing, Small Pleasures or Dear Mrs Bird will love prize-winning author Susan Fletcher’s The Night in Question – an absorbing and uplifting novel with a uniquely loveable protagonist at its heart.

‘[Fletcher’s] prose is extraordinarily lyrical . . . and her themes are profound.’ Sunday Times
‘A gifted storyteller’ Independent
‘Fletcher unpeels with delicacy and insight the complex layers of the human heart.’ Guardian

Publisher Review

Our octogenarian heroine’s determination to investigate a violent crime on her doorstep, leads her to reflect on her colourful past of love and loss, in this wonderfully warm and involving page-turner * Clare Chambers, Sunday Times bestselling author of Small Pleasures * A wonderful, life-affirming novel, full of surprises, tender of heart, and infused with a spirit as warm and generous as any I have read. It’s a gripping literary whodunnit and so much more . . . I adored it. * Emma Stonex, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Lamplighters * Full of unforgettable characters, a beguiling mystery with gorgeous prose, The Night in Question completely captured my heart. Florence Butterfield is a woman I will never forget and her story is one that had me in all kinds of tears. A triumph. * Jennie Godfrey, author of The List of Suspicious Things * Totally original, this water-colour pretty novel is as surprising as it is inspirational. I loved it! * Katie Fforde * I found myself catching my breath at the brilliance of the insight and the clever and truthful way Susan Fletcher reveals Florrie’s complicated emotional journey. A novel filled with love and generosity, it is a triumph. * Elizabeth Buchan, Sunday Times bestselling author * Every word is a jewel. A richly evocative and moving portrait of an unforgettable heroine who will teach you everything you need to know about life and love and loss. The best book I have read for a long time. * Veronica Henry, Sunday Times bestselling author * A perfect peach of a novel! Bright and beautiful writing, a delicious cast of characters, and a moreish whodunnit plot told with warmth, wit and emotional intelligence. A novel to be devoured! * Lucy Clarke, Sunday Times bestselling author * A novel to treasure. Susan Fletcher’s magical prose sparkles, and the story bursts with optimism, compassion, and gratitude. Glorious – in both writing and spirit – it moved me to tears time and time again. * Emylia Hall, author of The Shell House Detectives * ‘A wonderful novel, uplifting, tender, wise, funny, sad and a page turner to boot. Florrie is a marvellous creation, warm, complex and with a huge heart. I will miss her company.’ * Marika Cobbold, bestselling author of On Hampstead Heath * How I love this book! A spellbinding mystery, beautifully and richly told, with characters who dive straight into your heart. I couldn’t put it down. * Hazel Prior, bestselling author of Away with the Penguins * No one explores compassion like Susan Fletcher. The Night in Question is not only a gripping mystery, but an exploration of every different kind of love that can be embraced in the ordinary chaos of one life. * Jane Bailey * Her prose is extraordinarily lyrical . . . and her themes are profound. * Sunday Times * Fletcher unpeels with delicacy and insight the complex layers of the human heart. * Guardian * Susan Fletcher is a gifted storyteller * Independent * Susan Fletcher’s prose shimmers like light on water * Marie Claire * A remarkable talent with words . . . intelligent, perceptive, intuitive * Scotsman * Fans of Elizabeth is Missing will love this life-affirming read about 87-year-old Flossie who turns detective * Good Housekeeping *