The Night In Question by Susan Fletcher

 

Florence Butterfield, a perky 87-year-old, lives at Babbington Hall Residential Home and Assisted Living. When the manager, Renata, falls from a third-floor window everyone is convinced it was a suicide attempt. Florence isn't so convinced and decides to dig into Renata's background.

Susan Fletcher is a well-established author, however, I must admit I've never read any of her previous novels. Twitter is abuzz with people singing the praise of The Night In Question and I was suffering from a little bit of FOMO, so I decided to see what all the fuss is about.

The novel hangs on the question of whether the manager of Babbington Hall attempted suicide or if there is a more sinister answer. Renata is quiet and self-contained. The staff and residents know very little about her background or what she does when she's not on duty. It is easy to see how people would assume she was struggling with her mental health. Florrie, as everyone calls Florence, has other ideas. Earlier in the day Renata and Florrie had spent time together and it was clear that Renata was in love and making plans for the future, there was no way she was considering ending her life. Thus Florrie, aided by another resident of Babbington Hall, investigates, with the spotlight falling on staff and residents alike.

While there is a mystery element to this novel it's the character of Florrie that makes it. From the very beginning, you realise that Florrie Butterfield is someone very special. At first glance Florrie is unassuming; 87 years old, well-padded and in a wheelchair as a result of having only one leg. It's when you listen to Florrie speaking that you realise how wonderful she is and the extraordinary life she's lived. Florrie has a sunny disposition, she's one of those people who always looks for the positive, despite some of the tragic events that have had devastating effects on her life. Florrie has spent a lifetime seeking adventure and as a result, finding love. I didn't need a mystery story, I would have been happy to read all about Florrie's adventures around the globe.

Alongside Florrie, there are some other amazing characters in the story. Aunt Pip, who has just the right level of disdain for society that a young girl needs to discover. Jack, who I fell in love with, makes Florrie realise she's beautiful. It is, however, Pinky that captivates. What a wonderful friend she was, another one of those who was filled with nonchalance regarding society's expectations.

Florrie's life, and loves, are introduced gradually, this was one of the reasons I couldn't put the book down. Susan Fletcher teases the reader with little snippets and then the story pivots to something completely different. Throughout you're aware that there is something dark lurking in Florrie's background, a secret she doesn't share with anyone. When the secret was finally revealed I was filled with sadness but also admiration that the phenomenal Florrie had not allowed it to change her outlook on life.

The Night In Question by Susan Fletcher will be published on 18th April 2024 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Transworld Publishers for a review copy.

Author Details

Susan Fletcher was born in Birmingham and studied English Literature at the University of York. Whilst taking the MA in Creative Writing at the University of East Anglia, she began her first novel, Eve Green, which won the Whitbread First Novel Award (2004) and Betty Trask Prize (2005). Since then, she has written seven novels, supplementing her writing through various roles including as a cheesemonger and a warden for an archaeological excavation site near Hadrian’s Wall. She has also been the Royal Literary Fund Fellow at the University of Worcester. She lives in Warwickshire.