Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney

 

On the eve of her 80th birthday the matriarch of the Darker family calls everyone to her isolated home. Having been told years previously that she would not live beyond 80 she decides to share the contents of her will with the family. When she is found dead later that evening everyone begins to wonder if it was natural causes, an accident or murder? 

I loved Alice Feeney's previous novel, Rock Paper Scissors, so was really pleased to get hold of a review copy of Daisy Darker. The tone of this novel is set right from the start with the deliciously dark humour. The opening is shocking and amusing at the same time and this tone is continued throughout the novel.

The Darker family are completely dysfunctional, one of those families that are rarely all together at the same time because of the animosity. Daisy, the youngest daughter, is the outsider. While the rest of the family are out for what they can get, Daisy clearly loves her Nana and simply wants to spend time with her.

The story is set in 2004 but harks back to previous times spent at Seaglass, the family home. Seaglass is set on a small island just off the Cornish coast. Tides mean that the island is cut off from the mainland and this adds to the sense of peril when the family think there is a possible murderer.

As the story moves between the 1980's and 2004 we get glimpses of recent history which I found very nostalgic. Technology was limited to a single TV, VHS tapes and Walkman's. There's mentions of popular films such as Fame and Staying Alive along with shops that no longer exist (Woolworths, C&A, Blockbusters). 

The tone of the novel. along with the enigmatic Daisy, made this a thoroughly enjoyable read. As soon as I'd finished I wanted to go right back to the start and look for all those clues I'd missed.

My thanks to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan for a review copy. Daisy Darker by Alice Feeney will be published published on 18th August 2022 in hardback and ebook format.