Summer 1930 and Walter Bruce is told he has a terminal disease. With nursing care and an easier job he could have five more years. With neither he may not see out the year. But he’s got a wife to keep – one too selfish and idle to be his nurse. When he finds out she’s been deceiving him about her past for years he comes to a stark decision; if she won’t take care of him he’ll have to take care of her – for good. He plans her removal like one of the chess problems he loves. It will be the perfect murder; he’ll get away with it and enjoy his last few years in comfort. But his carefully laid plans unravel, entangling him in a slowly closing trap where truth and lies become confused… Set in between-the-wars Liverpool, ‘Stalemate’ is a gripping tale of moral choices and terrible punishment.

My Thoughts:

This book was an enjoyable read about a fictionalised tale of a real-life crime. Alan has done well to put his imagination as well as the true facts together and it works well. It is set in the 1930’s in Liverpool and it follows Bruce who is a door to door salesman who is trying to stage a perfect murder for his wife. This is a book that is mysterious and intriguing. Alan Hamilton is one to look out for in the future.