The Adulteress

The Adulteress is based on the true 1920s Thompson-Bywater murder case and is almost as fascinating (average and dryish dialogue keeps it from being a true five stars). Margolin presents a brilliant case-study in skewed infatuation and boredom. Francis 'Rats' Rattenbury, a highly regarded Canadian architect loses his status and reputation when he marries the already twice divorced Alma. In a move to re-launch themselves into society they set off to England. It is the occurrence of a serious car accident injuring their son Felix that brings Percy Stoner into their lives to drive Alma about since Rats forbids her to drive. A puzzling affair of desire, tension, taunting control and possessiveness begins between the two leading to murder. With the onset of Alma's unexpected pregnancy (if this was a novel you'd almost expect this), Margolin sets a briskly elaborate pace and undertaking of the phases of how the social panic of adultery, illegal abortion (described in grisly emotional, see-saw detail) can lead to murder. Whilst this is fundamentally told from Alma's point of view, THE ADULTERESS retains its heartbeat, its disquieting confusion and intended direction.

Alma met Francis "Rats" Rattenbury in Victoria in 1924 when he was a highly regarded, but married Canadian architect. He dumped his wife for her and soon they married, but society condemns both of them. Soon design jobs stop coming his way so he decides they should start over in England. Alma gives birth to Rats' son Felix, but when the kid was six years old, he is hospitalized due to injuries while she was driving. Rats refuses to allow her to drive, but becomes testy when she nags him to take her to see their son. Instead he hires seventeen years old Percy Stoner to chauffeur Alma. Soon she and Percy begin an affair as the chauffeur and the spouse taunt one another. Soon Alma realizes she is pregnant, which leads to murder of the heart. Based on the real 1922 Thompson-Bywaters murder, THE ADULTERESS is an insightful character study that looks closely at the relationships between three people that lead to murder. The story line mostly follows Alma as the audience understands her needs, but to a degree Leslie Margolin also enables readers to comprehend the motives of Rats and Percy. Fans who enjoy a powerful historical thriller will want to read this deep look at the disintegration of the triangular protagonists. Harriet Klausner