After Our House, my favourite of my own novels (that sounds very self-regarding, as if I re-read them in constant rotation, but let's go with it) is probably The Disappearance of Emily Marr. It’s the story of a scandal that erupts when a lonely young woman has an affair with a married neighbour and sets in motion a chain of tragic events she could never have anticipated. In despair, she leaves her life in London and heads to France – to atone, to grieve, to hide.
Having researched extensively the outcomes of missing persons enquiries, I decided that this was a novel that might bear an open ending. More often than not we don't get an answer in reality, so why must we have one in fiction? Boy, did I come to regret this! In my clever nod to authenticity, I forgot that readers like a proper ending. It doesn’t have to be a happy one (and rarely is with me), just the right one for the characters. Before long, I’d received thousands of emails asking me what happens next – and I duly supplied notes. Many readers enjoyed the game, but others most assuredly did not: ‘I am disgusted!!! 'I HATE this author!’ In cutting a long story short, I had, it seemed, Ruined Lives. So now, with this reissued version, there is an ending. It was a joy to write, because, by now, I’ve needed the closure as much as the next person. There’s also a new cover, which I absolutely love. So, if you enjoyed Our House, let me introduce you to Emily Marr – and I promise you’ll find out exactly what becomes of her.
1 Comment
Briegeen Girvin
6/9/2020 12:15:07 am
Dear Louise. I am just getting into your books and can't wait to read them all. Our House was my first and it was fabulous. I've also read and loved The Second Husband. Now I'm lying up in bed having just finished the Disappearance of Emily Marr. I totally loved this book but like your other readers I desperately want an ending as the version I have ended so abruptly . Is there any chance of you please emailing me the epilogue? I'm about to hand the book over to my elderly mum who also loved Our House but she will totally want the ending chapter too. So grateful if you could please help thanks Briegeen
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December 2020
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