
A melancholic and introspective view of life in a small Polish town, seen through the eyes of an older woman who believes in astrology and loves animals far more than humans.
In the winter Janina is a caretaker, looking after the empty houses of her richer neighbours who spend the winter in the city. In the summer she works as an English teacher at the local school. Throughout the year she helps one of her former students translate William Blake and makes horoscopes for people who catch her interest.
When several suspicious deaths occur in the villag, Janina is convinced that the victims were killed by animals as revenge for their hunting. But the authorities have no interest in her theories and discount her as a crazy old lady.
A slow burn, unconventional mystery told from the point of view of a woman who knows the world sees her as unimportant, but refuses to let herself be dictated by the beliefs and prejudices of others. Philosophical, observant and curious, Janina has a lot of points to make and stories to tell. The world may not be geared towards listening to little old ladies in the wilderness, but hopefully the reader is.
Mystery – Contemporary – Crime – Literary fiction
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