July book club - The Deaths by Mark Lawson

I must agree with he people who have commented on the use of condoms. As they all seemed to be in fairly settled relationships I can't see why they would use them. Among all my acquaintances either the women are on the pill or the men have had vasectomies - or they are too oldto need contraception at all. Perhaps I just move in the wrong circles? Perhaps in the world of his 'n hers Range Rovers and Purdey shotguns condoms are really cool?

Just finished 'The Deaths', really enjoyed it, didn't leave me feeling envious in any way!

Thanks for another book, GN, it is lovely to receive these new challenges. I do agree with previous posts about the complexity of the plotting though I was impressed by the way the timeline and the characters were woven into some form of coherent picture by the end.

I fear the language is reflective of a generation and words my father would never have used in public — indeed would have meant anyone using them in his home would have never been invited again — are now used by primary school children. I don't like it, but it is probably accurate.

I found the book tragic, and far from the amusing comedy and 'hilarious' satire referred to in the reviews. 'Bleak' would be my one-word description, with its unlikeable characters (with the notable exception of the GP, who appears to be derided for her honourable and caring conduct), self-made dilemmas, and selfish lifestyles. So I would ask Mark Lawson, firstly, did he enjoy spending so long in the company of this set of characters, and secondly, whether he felt the reviews chosen to entice readers to pick up the book accurately reflected how he sees the book?

I admired the skill of the writing, but can't say I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for expanding my reading to new areas and stopping my brain getting too stuck in its rut!

Am I the only one who doesn't find the condom thing odd? I got the impression that the characters are all 40 something - early 50s at the outside but probably younger. In which case settled relationship or not, some form of contraceptive would be needed on the basis that women are told to continue with it until a year or two after menopause. Many women in their 40s are advised not to take the pill (and the alternative, the mini pill, doesn't suit a lot of people) So why not condoms?! It's that or the cap (or coil) and I know which I'd go for.

I'm still reading it but finding it trying because I have got used to using a larger font on Kindle. I am having another eye examination in September. So far, I don't like the characters one bit, but I have heard women like these chatting in a Cheshire health club jacuzzi. However, I am determined to finish it. I need to know what happens and to whom.

Oh, and on the matter of condoms, surely, at their ages, they have enough children and the men could have gone for the 'snip' and the women have access to various forms of the pill or an implant.

Just a quick thank you for the book - but have only started it last night - hopefully I may have a question to ask in time :-)

I think this book probably does reflect the lifestyle of a certain strata of society but it is not one with which I am familiar nor am I sorry about that. It was really hard to like these characters apart from the GP lady, who really seemed to be the odd one out. I got bored, cheated and read the end to find out who were the victims!

My question to Mark Lawson is did he aim this book at the 30-40 year old age group rather than the GN generation? Maybe that's why so many of us have struggled with it.

'The Deaths' arrived and I wondered at first where it had come from, knowing I hadn't ordered it. But then realised - and Gransnet, thank you very much indeed for sending it, it is a book I may not have bought but am thoroughly enjoying. Can really recommend it.

Thank you Gransnet and Mark Lawson for 'The Deaths' I enjoyed the story very much although it did take me a while to become accustomed to the characters and be able to work out who was married to who. They all seemed so similar in many ways. I am an avid reader of murder mysteries and like to see if I can work out 'whodunit' before the ending however this was not possible with this book as the author keeps the identity of the murdered family hidden until the end. I found this absolutely INFURIATING!!!!!

I'm really enjoying this book - am about half way through and no questions at the moment, but will watch this thread eagerly

Thank you for my copy, haven't finished it yet but am finding the main characters very boring and snobby. I would love to know if they were based on people you know.

Hi! Thank you for the "The Deaths" by Mike Lawson-I am currently reading it and enjoying it,so will comment further in a day or two,when I've finished.

Thank you Gransnet for my copy of the book. I have read about one third of it but have laid it aside to read two thick library books which need to be returned quickly as they are wanted by other readers. I think this shows that unfortunately I am not gripped by 'the Deaths'. I find the characters more like caricatures and don't seem able to empathise with them at all. However, I do find it intriguing that I don't know which of the families has been murdered, so I shall return to the book later. I am sure it will become more gripping as I get deeper into it so have avoided reading all the gransnetters' comments in case one of them gives the plot away.

I am REALLY enjoying this book! About halfway through now and I don't know yet whose deaths the coffee-man has found (apart from the dogs) but that doesn't seem to matter because the Eight - or Ten, occasionally - are such well-drawn characters that it is an enjoyable read and I will be sorry when I finish it. Its not often that I choose to read during the day rather than be on this computer. Look forward to reading more by this author.

I am about 3/4 of the way through this book and am finding it hard going
a lot of the dialogue appears to be about how the other half live and i dont
think there is any need for all the outings as they are not nessecary to
the plot and i find it hard going i just want to get on with the story,i am
enjoying the book but keep having to put it down and then pick it up again later as apposed to when i enjoy a book i find it hard to put it down.
But would not put me off trying another of his novels.

I finished my book last night and really enjoyed it. I couldn't have guessed the ending! With the heatwave we're enjoying I couldn't sleep much, so I'd pick up my book and start reading. I'd like to ask the author how he got such an insight to the rich people? Does he move in those circles?

Thank you for the copy of The Deaths, but I had no clue who sent this to me and so have not started to read it yet.

It just arrived through the post with no indication of where it came from or who it was from.

As I was reading other books I put it to one side until I could catch up with it. I must now remedy this by reading it, so I have not any thoughts or feelings that I can discuss, but I am sure it will be a good read from all the other indications I have read.

I'm about halfway through.
I found it hard to get into to start and almost gave up.
But now I'm enjoying it mainly.
The question I have is:-
Do you actually know such stereotypical people? Or is it entirely fantasy?

Thank-you for mine, enjoyed it

Thank you for my copy. I am half way through so have decided not to read the comments made so far in case I find out what happens! I found the book quite difficult to get into to start with but am now thoroughly engrossed and look forward to bedtime so I can read some more! (Am I the only gransnetter who, although retired, still thinks reading during the day (apart from the newspaper), a decadent activity and so only relax to read in bed??)
Is the Mark Lawson author the same Mark Lawson who used to present the 7.15pm programme on Radio 4 (after the Archers)?
There is something unlikeable about all the characters, especially the lady vicar! Perhaps it is the unbridled wealth - as far as I have got, only Simon seems not to have quite so much money but I am anticipating financial storms ahead! But there really are some lol moments - the Christmas service is one example, and some pretty shameful bits too -. But I will reserve further comments until after I have finished.

I am half way through reading this book and am hooked,I can't read any of the other posts in case I find out the end result and spoil my enjoyment,does the author know any families such as the ones he is writing about and if he does are people really this materialistic ? I will certainly seek out other books written by Mark this is the first of his I have read,so sorry it is taking me a while to read but it is worthwhile.

This is the first time I have read a novel by Mark Lawson, and I have to say this was the best book I have read for a long time. The story kept me interested right till the last page, I will definitely be looking for his earlier novels.

Is that the Mark Lawson who does the brilliant interviews on the Beeb?

Thanks a lot. Another exciting author to follow. He had me gripped to the end. I don't normally go for this sort of genre but I really enjoyed it. Interesting characters & a good puzzle to solve.