The Collected Novels Volume Two : Letters to Alice, Worst Fears, and The Heart of the Country

Three novels from the "prolific and provocative" British satirist: from the joy of inspiration to the shock of betrayal and the pleasure of vengeance ( Time Out). Perhaps best known for her "small, mad masterpiece, " The Life and Loves of a She Devil, Man Booker Prize nominee Fay Weldon has been writing some of the boldest, funniest satirical novels for over half a century ( The Washington Post Book World ). In her mid-eighties, she's penned a scathing sequel, The Death of a She Devil, "a brilliant black comedy" ( The Mail on Sunday ). The three volumes collected here—from an epistolary novel inspired by Jane Austen to a widow's discovery of her husband's betrayal and a tale of abandonment that twists into comeuppance—all prove Weldon's wit and insights into the human condition to be as sharp as ever. Letters to Alice: With the dire warning, "You must read, Alice, before it's too late, " Aunt Fay implores her niece to immerse herself in the works of enduring authors. Taking its inspiration from Jane Austen's relationship with her niece, Weldon's epistolary novel explores the literary life, as lived by both Austen and eighteen-year-old Alice, as she struggles with her own writing, school, parents, romance, ambition, and spiky green hair. "Wise, sharp, informative... shrewd and funny." — The Times Literary Supplement Worst Fears A New York Times Notable Book A darling of the London theater world, Alexandra Ludd is playing Nora in Ibsen's A Doll's House when her husband, Ned, former theater critic and stay-at-home father to their young son, Sascha, dies of an apparent heart attack. But when Alexandra returns to their country home, her grief begins to give way to suspicion. Ned didn't keel over in the dining room, as her good friends told her. He died in their bed—and he wasn't alone. What's a widow to do? "This splendid and spiteful novel shows Fay Weldon to be in as fine form as ever." — The Philadelphia Inquirer The Heart of the Country: When her husband kisses her and their children goodbye, departs for the office, and never returns, Natalie blames herself. Perhaps if she hadn't been cheating on him every Tuesday and Thursday, he wouldn't have left her for his secretary, a local beauty queen. Penniless and soon homeless, Natalie finds herself navigating the heartless labyrinth of the state welfare system. There, she meets Sonia, who offers to shelter Natalie and her children. But Sonia has her own agenda (hint: she's narrating from a mental institution) that will culminate in a monstrous act of vengeance at the town's carnival. "Galloping, good, mean fun." — Kirkus Reviews Seedy, sly London private detective Nick Duffy is on the case in a series that’s “exciting, funny and refreshingly nasty” (Martin Amis). Nick Duffy was a copper on the vice squad until malicious rumors about his own sex life ripped through the force. Now he’s in private security. No stranger to London’s seedier offerings, Duffy is just the right man for cases that are a little morally slippery—in a sharp-witted series that has “the snap and crackle of Raymond Chandler” (The Washington Post Book World). In these four novels, “it is the Nabokovian blend of funny and sinister, the sense of tongue in scarred cheek, that lingers” (The Sunday Times). Duffy: Hired by a disreputable businessman who’s being blackmailed by one of the city’s most dangerous crime lords, Duffy must navigate Soho’s underworld of prostitutes, porn moguls, and hoods. “One of the most colourful and entertaining English thrillers.” —London Evening Standard Fiddle City: The freight thieves of Heathrow Airport have a problem: Someone has been pilfering more than his share. These Heathrow hoods need a private detective to find out who’s been robbing them—and down-and-out Duffy takes the case. “The characterization is exact, the action gripping, and the writing pleasantly ironic.” —The Times (London) Putting the Boot In: Every football team expects injuries, but Third Division Athletic seems to be exceptionally unlucky. The manager hires Duffy to find out who’s intentionally kicking the team while it’s down, and soon he’s taking on everyone from diehard fans to hard-core skinheads. “Kavanagh is as beady-eyed and hilarious as ever, Duffy a disgraceful chuckle and more.” —The Observer Going to the Dogs: As the security consultant who installed a dodgy burglar alarm, Duffy is called to a country manor to find out who defenestrated the owner’s dog. But he arrives to find Braunscombe Hall full of eccentric guests, aka suspects. “In Going to the Dogs, author Dan Kavanagh does it with verve and humor.” —Newsday