I can’t think of a single occasion when I have visited a book event at Huntingdon’s Commemoration Hall and left empty handed.
The Book Bank and similar book related events are hosted by Niche Comics and Books of Huntingdon, it was at a recent event that I came away with “Missing, Presumed”, written by Susie Steiner.
Angela Mackey, of said Niche Comics told me that the book was set in Huntingdon.
I bore my purchase home and have now finally got around to reading it.
I think knowing the area identifying the streets and places adds a little more to the story, it does for me and I have had similar comments from those readers familiar with Cambridge about my book.
Susie Steiner’s story is of a young woman, whose disappearance, is discovered by her boyfriend. An open door a trail of blood, her clothing and mobile phone left behind in their house, prompts fears for her safety. DS Mannon Bradshaw, DI Harriet Harper and their team struggle to make headway in the search for famous surgeon Sir. Ian Hinds’, daughter Edith.
This is a fascinating story, the plot moves in different directions as new threads are woven into its fabric.
All the time the team are coping with their own problems, within their relationships and families.
A tale of secrets, fragile lives, deception and families under stress, the end is unexpected and satisfying.
Susie Steiner
I learned from Angela that Susie Steiner was no longer with us having died of brain cancer in July 2022 at the tragically young age of 51.
Fenlandphil's Blog 
Posted by Catwoman=^••^= on October 11, 2022 at 6:02 pm
This isn’t really my cup of tea. Do you actually read all the books that you post about?
Posted by fenlandphil on October 11, 2022 at 8:15 pm
I do read them all the way through, then I give my honest opinion.
I do read some books from genres that are out of my comfort zone but I am often surprised how much I enjoy them.
What genres do you enjoy?
Posted by Catwoman=^••^= on October 12, 2022 at 12:19 am
Since I was a teenager, I’ve always loved Sci-Fi. I love reading Biographies, Autobiographies (not necessarily of ‘famous’ people. I love reading about the average person).
Years ago I bought two books. One was about the year in the life of a family that lived on a farm. Sounds boring as heck, but many times I don’t always have to read a story that has the classic ‘arc’. It was the day to day life of a real family living on a farm. I found it extremely fascinating.
The other book I bought was about a slave who fought to keep her children from slavery. I found her story amazing. The things she did to keep her children safe from that terrible fate. Eventually she escaped slavery herself. A very brave woman.
One genre I won’t read is romance. It’s just too corny and cheesy and silly to me.
Interestingly enough, I only seem to have time to read flash fiction – of any genre – except romance, of course. I can’t get into novels anymore like when I was a teenager.
Have you checked out my blog lately? I’m concentrating on Halloween this month and trying to post a spooky story everyday. There’s even a page where you can come in and put a haunted story of your own in the comments. Check it out!
Posted by Marsha on October 18, 2022 at 2:21 pm
This is a great review, Phil. How amazing that she could write such a good book and then shortly later die of brain cancer. I’m sad for her family. That is so young.
Posted by fenlandphil on October 18, 2022 at 4:00 pm
Unfortunately, she was blind too, there is an Obituary on the Guardian’s website.
I asked Angela if Susie lived in Huntingdon, where the book is set but she didn’t, it is an easy train ride to and from London.
Posted by Marsha on October 19, 2022 at 4:35 am
How sad about being blind. Amazing she could write.
Posted by Catwoman=^••^= on October 19, 2022 at 8:13 am
Marsha, I’m sure you meant it in the best way when you said. “Amazing she could write.”, but to be honest with you, it’s not complimentary.
When Louis Braille – who himself, was rendered blind at the age of 5 – invented the tactile system to read and write on the very premise that blind people are perfectly capable of doing so, or else, what a wasted effort on his part to have invented such a system to begin with.
I’m writing this to you as a 64 year old woman who has had a very difficult life – not because of any of my shortcomings – more so because of the preconceived, stereotypical attitudes from people who have created so many roadblocks in my life.
The other side of the coin is when people say, “She did that? Why, that’s wonderful?”, or as you stated, “Amazing she could write.” These statements are just as damaging, because what they do is keep us, who are different, marginalized, constantly categorizing us in this special slot; keeping us separate from the rest of society. You may not think so, but whenever any of us hear statements like that, it’s tantamount to someone talking to a three year old who’s just accomplished something,
“That’s terrific, Suzie! You should be very proud of yourself!”
That’s okay for a young child. Young children need that special attention in order to give them a stronger sense of self-worth. Adults don’t normally need that. Such statements take us out of the realm of simply being human like everyone else and making a production of everything we do.
Those of us who are different are just like everyone else in that we just want to be normal and blend into society. Not stick out like a sore thumb.
Let me give you a little scenario, one that’s played out over and over again in my life:
So often when I’m watching the news or I’m talking with someone and happen to mention a political world figure and expound on their ideas and mention why I agree or disagree with them. Almost invariably, everyone looks at me and says,
“Kelly, you know about this person? How so?”
Immediately I feel degraded and humiliated in front of everyone. I’m between wanting to cry and wanting to go all bulldog on them and rip their face off. I also want to walk into the nearest noose and just hang myself. I have just been marginalized.
Why is it ‘normal’ for others to know these things, but not me? Not only that, but it hurts me beyond all measure knowing that others have heard this remark aimed at me. As a result a seed is planted in their heads that something is wrong with me. This makes me want to die a thousand deaths.
I can just hear everyone who’s reading this say,
“Kelly, you shouldn’t worry about what others think of you.”
Of course I’m going to worry, because what this means is this:
What people think of me is going to affect how they are going to treat me. And before I know it, the baton has been passed to the many listeners in the room and my legacy continues. It seems that I’m never allowed to get past the ignorance of others. Sooner or later, these people are going to take the cue of the ones who made the initial remark to me in the first place and talk to me in that ever familiar condescending tone. I fear that I’ll never be able to escape the ignorance of others. How do I know? Because I’m 64 and it’s still happening. As I’ve mentioned, I have died this death innumerable amount of times in my lifetime. I have died this death so many times, I’m numb inside. I don’t like being around people anymore. I never really have, but as I get older I find that I can’t tolerate much more and I’ve lost all patience with others. I feel so ugly and empty inside. I just want to live out the rest of my life in peace and if that means a life of near total solitude, then so be it.
So, what’s the best way to respond to someone who’s accomplished something?
First thing is recognizing the humanity in everyone. Understanding that we are no different than anyone else. We are thinking and feeling members of the human race who deserve dignity and respect.
Second, think of how you react when a family member, friend, acquaintance, colleague, or even a stranger performs a task for you. What do you do? You might say ‘thank you’ to them in an adult tone. Not in an overbearing manner that causes the entire half of the Western Hemisphere of the room to take notice, thereby causing them to stick out and putting a target on their back. At the same time, not too casually. And you say it with a smile that let’s them know you appreciate what they did. That is all anyone ever really needs. I’ve seen this played out many times, although I personally have never experienced it.
Marsha, I’ve lived a very hard and difficult life and am currently writing my memoir. I’m a strong advocate for those who are different – living or dead. People need to learn different ways of treating those in society who don’t fit in. We deserve that. We deserve to be treated and thought of as average people – because we are.
I would only apply the word amazing to someone who may have been partially paralyzed much of their lives and through hard work and physical therapy, manages to walk. That is absolutely amazing and should be celebrated. On the other hand, there’s no need to act in an incredulous manner when I know certain things that most anyone who watches the news would know. That doesn’t need to be celebrated. It’s also very insulting, embarrassing, degrading and humiliating. Nobody needs that.
As for the author, Susie Steiner having been blind and able to write, I think that’s amazing also, but not because she was blind, more so because writing a book is a difficult and arduous task for anyone, blind or sighted. I say hats off to anyone who has accomplished such a feat.
I hope you take this in the spirit with which I tried to give it. Well, I’m off to write another chapter in my memoir. Thanks for reading this, Martha!
I wish you all the best 🙂