Family Betrayal
By Kitty Neale
Avon £5.99

When the father of the Draper brood saw the name Draper on a small south London alleyway which featured a small terrace facing a large factory, he recognised that this would be a fine base for the family and tenants were soon coerced out as members of the extended family took over the whole alley. Each of the family was under the rule of Dan, but the brothers, wives and families all had their own secret desires. As a double tragedy strikes once the Draper's overstep their mark it will give the chance for a new beginning, but there will be a price to pay.

Although we see incidents through a variety of characters eyes, both male and female, itis quite clearly written from a woman's point of view, especially as the female characters show more depth, particularly Joan.

Early on we are told there is a secret to be uncovered, primarily regarding the families source of funds, and this is revealed about half way through. We are also shown how the Draper family is known and feared throughout their manor, but also how quickly this can drain away. Ironically the brothers only come into their own when the great burden is lifted from them, and rather than things going pear shaped, it may well be the chance to go on the straight and narrow.
 
In Southwark there used to be small alleyways, though I can't recall one that matched this particular passageway, but it is only too easy to imagine this area of the old world where little light filters through. The character of Joan with her obsessive cleaning, as well as an ability to shut out the realities of what has made the family prosper is certainly the strongest but all have their particular moments, in particular Petula and Ivy.

There is a strange cover, which shows an urchin boy, possibly in Victorian dress, but check out those trainers. Quite what he has in common with a story set in the early sixties is beyond me.