The Hand of Death by Margaret Yorke was originally published in 1981, and it definitely reflected many of the opinions that were held at that time about rape. This book is a character study of a rapist who outwardly appears to be living a normal life but has a lot going on inside.

The book opens with a description of a day in the life of Ronald Trimm a successful antique store owner. As we start to know this man we are privy to his discontent and sexual frustration that will eventually drive him to murder. Women don’t treat him as he feels he should be treated and so he must punish them. He gets great enjoyment from the control he gains over his victims, but eventually he goes too far and a woman dies. Does this cause him to pause or feel remorse, no, it only eggs him on. Meanwhile the police have zeroed in on a suspect, the totally innocent George Fortescue, who embarrassed about what he was actually doing got caught up in a lie that caused the police to take more than a passing interest in him and delayed the investigation.

The Hand of Death moves along at a rapid pace and as it nears the end, the suspense of whether his latest victim will be murdered builds. I didn’t really like the ending, I wanted one of his victims to expose him, instead we are given a rather random conclusion. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book and will continue reading this author. ( )