The Adulteress

Based on true events, THE ADULTERESS tells the story of a woman married to an older man. After a while she moves into her own bedroom. When their six year old son is in the hospital, she needs her husband to drive her daily to visit him. They get a chauffeur. Alma Rattenbury starts an affair with her seventeen year old chauffeur. As her husband sleeps on a different floor and she could be discreet, it seemed an easy thing to do. She could make excuses to go on daylong drives with Percy. Her husband seemed oblivious to what was going on. But, things begin to spin out of control with deceit, jealousy and finally total chaos leading up to the unimaginable. The most heartbreaking murder in British history.

THE ADULTERESS is written in the first person from the viewpoint of Alma Rattenbury. It is quite an intense read. The reader will be drawn into the thoughts and feelings of this rather tragic woman. Set in a time when morals where high and immorality frowned upon, Alma and her husband already started off their marriage under strained circumstances. This reviewer enjoyed reading this story. Knowing that it was based on true events, made it all the more interesting. Ms. Margolin writes straightforward prose and engaging characters. The plot certainly will keep the reader turning the pages. This reviewer was however a little concerned about its ending and still ponders over this story long after reading it. This reviewer would love to hear what other readers think.

April 2007