The Dark Room

An established star in the firmament of dark psychological suspense, British author Walters has won numerous awards ('The Ice House,' 'The Sculptress,' 'The Scold's Bridle'). This 1996 thriller opens with Jinx Kingsley, fashion photographer and only daughter of self-made millionaire Adam Kingsley, hospitalized and amnesiac after a horrific car accident. A suicide attempt is suspected, particularly since she was earlier found unconscious in her garage with the car running - apparently despondent because her fiance had absconded with her best friend. Only Jinx didn't like her fiance all that well. She was on the verge of breaking up with him herself, even claims she had done so, although the accident came after a week at her parents', making wedding plans. Then two bodies, a man and woman, are discovered. And police discover Jinx's first husand was murdered. Meanwhile Jinx's father has had her moved to a sanitarium where she is having a strong effect on her doctor, Alan Protheroe. By turns prickly, manipulative and vulnerable, Jinx becomes a suspect. As does her father, a forceful, unseen presence whose ruthlessness is legend. Walters keeps the sands of perception shifting. In common with the other characters, the reader's view of Jinx is ambiguous. Her memory returns (or seems to) in painful flashes as the police piece together a skewed picture of greed, betrayal and sexual obsession. An aura of mystery and menace shrouds Jinx's dysfunctional family, suspicion corroding the bonds between them. Walter's writing is literate, character driven and atmospheric, making comparisons - and favorable ones at that - with Ruth Rendell inevitable.

I found this to be an engrossing book, filled with all the necessary ingredients to make up a really good thriller-murder mystery.There have been 3 hideous murders, the first one 10 years previously and the other 2 committed in exactly the same fashion.All 3 victime were closely connected to Jinx Kingsley, daughter of a former crime boss, now become respectable and very wealthy.Jinx has a stepmother and 2 half brothers, all of whom are very undesirable types and who are involved in a number of shady dealings.Jinx is thought to have attempted suicide and is a suspect in the ghastly murders. A deranged and dangerous murderer is on the loose and the police are sure that everything points to her and her family. I did think that the final solution could have been reached a few chapters earlier,but all in all, it was a good and absorbing read.

A very very interesting book that catches you from the first page to the end of the book.A book that can take you from a very unpredictable beginning to a very intersting story and as usual a happy ending,except for the tragedies happened in the story. The main character being Jinx Kingsly,suffering from amnesia after her fiancee decided to marry her best friend and her car crashed which seemed to be a suicide attempt. For Jinx that was hard to believe but she couldn't remember what actually happened and couldn't contribute anything to the investigations.She was the prime suspect when the dead bodies of Jinx's fiance and his new girlfriend were found in middle of the forest. The story goes on an attempt to bring back Jinx's memory by her doctor and the attempts of the detectives to find out who killed them. Involves many people and descibes the charcters of the people in the story, a look at human nature and the different kinds og people in the world. Happy Reading!

The newspaper reported the case with relish. The famous photographer Jane (JINX) Kingsley tried to kill herself after her fiance left with her best friend Meg; both disappeared afterwards...But when Jinx wakes from her coma, she cannot remember the suicide attempt. With the help of Dr. Alan Protheroe, she slowly begins to piece together what she remembers of the last couple of weeks. the memories seem to come back...Memories of depression and absolute terror and nobody knows the real truth... Minette Walkers' book cought my attention from the first page and held it to the very last. You keep guessing the truth until the ned and even beyond it. The plot twists so hard it nearly breaks and every character has a motive. It is a brilliant writing and it wakes you think. Her characters are complex and interesting. "The dark room" is a fascinating and satisfying psychological mystery with interesting characters and a lot of twists in the plot. I love Walkers' style of writing especially because you have to find the truth for yourself.

I have read all of Minette Walter's books and I am constantly surprised. With each book her writing gets stronger and the plots get even more interesting.She truly is a master of suspense. I find that I can't put her books down. Walters was able to take the amnesia plot and weave it in a way that makes it seem as if it were a new plot twist.While Minette does not use repeating characters in her novels she never seems to have a problem getting her reader immediately feeling involved with the characters or the story. I highly recommend reading all of her books.