Frances Fyfield: Not That Kind of Place. New York: Pocket Books, 1990. First edition, first printing. 9 ½ x 6 ½ pp 214. Signed by the author, “To Michael with best wishes, from Frances Fyfield”. US title for Trial by Fire, the third Fyfield novel.

Frances Fyfield is best known for her two remarkably adept series both with female lawyers: Helen West, the London-based Crown Prosecutor (filmed for TV with Juliet Stevenson and later Amanda Burton) and Sarah Fortune. These books are about characters that end up in court, and Fyfield is careful to try to bring in different viewpoints. Her work also consists of disturbing psychological thrillers, often with a “why-dunnit” twist. Her more recent work has been outside these series, with a more leisurely treatment of her subjects and a willingness to explore moral questions.

This is her third novel and the second Helen West. Fyfield’s books have been shortlisted for the CWA Gold Dagger. She was awarded the Duncan Lawrie Dagger for Blood from Stone in 2008.

Condition: Fine in fine jacket.