Acid Row by Minette Walters

I am trying to catch up on all the books of hers I missed. Story of a neighborhood in London, Bassindale Estates, or Acid Row as its occupants call it. Housed there are junkies, alcoholics, social outcasts basically. Things get out of control when a convicted sex offender is placed in one of the houses and word leaks out to the residents on the Row. A simple march to get him out leads to an insane mob, murder, castration, fires, beatings, and death. A doctor who treats patients on Acid Row answers a simple call for help and ends up being held hostage and in the middle of a situation that is beyond every one's control. Very interesting look at society and the roles it plays in people's situations, how a misinformed public can turn into an outraged mob, and how even the evil can become good in the midst of certain circumstances.

5 stars

The Sculpress by Minette Walters

I really like her books because as soon as you are sure you figured it out it takes a huge twist and you are wrong. Wasn't too impressed with this one. A woman who's daughter is killed while out driving with her father is asked to write a book on a woman in prison known as The Sculptress. She killed her mother and sister and brutally mutilated them, admitted her guilt, pled guilty and went to prison but did she really do it? The Sculptress gets inside the author's mind and under her skin while she pursues leads because she now thinks that the woman is innocent.

4 stars