The Rose Tree

Pat Carron and his 20-ish daughter May have moved into a large and prominent house in the English village of Middle Combe, near Bath. They're Irish, but secretive about their background. May, it seems, has clearly suffered from some sort of emotional trauma in the recent past: she's prone to episodes of wrenching memory through which her father must cosset her. Young suitor Peter Smith, son of the rich local woman who befriends father Pat, also provides May with sympathetic, companionable treatment. But May is not romantically interested in Peter (as he is in her); in fact, when Peter's brother George appears on the scene, May falls for him instead - even though he's cruel and demanding and sadistic. And while George Smith brings out May's secret horror-fascination with violence and victimization (linked to her past trauma), he also threatens the intense Pat/May relationship - which has developed into an obsessive, mutually protective, semi-sexual bond. Broderick (The Trial of Father Dillingham) is slow and infinitely postponing in his narration here, seemingly confident that the subtlety and shifting moods of the plot will steadily accumulate. (He rather coyly saves May's hidden trauma - the IRA-involved massacre of her mother and sister - for revelation in the last few pages.) But the overall effect is languidly pregnant instead of tautly compelling - with secrets that ultimately don't seem worthy of the portentous, teasing build-up. (Kirkus Reviews)