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Shooting Martha

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About this listen

Celebrated director Jack Drake can't get through his latest film (his most personal yet) without his wife Martha's support. The only problem is, she's dead....

When Jack sees Betty Dean—actress, mother, trainwreck—playing the part of a crazed nun on stage in an indie production of The Devils, he is struck dumb by her resemblance to Martha. Desperate to find a way to complete his masterpiece, he hires her to go and stay in his house in France and resuscitate Martha in the role of 'loving spouse'.

But as Betty spends her days roaming the large, sunlit rooms of Jack's mansion—filled to the brim with odd treasures and the occasional crucifix—and her evenings playing the part of Martha over scripted video calls with Jack, she finds her method acting taking her to increasingly dark places. And as Martha comes back to life, she carries with her the truth about her suicide—and the secret she guarded until the end.

©2021 David Thewlis (P)2021 Orion Publishing Group Dark Humour Drama & Plays Dysfunctional Families Europe European Literature & Fiction Parenting & Families Relationships World Literature Celebrity Fiction Comedy Suspense

Critic reviews

"A riotously good novel, witty and earnest, brimming with sharply drawn characters and creeping suspense. David Thewlis is a fabulous writer." (Anna Bailey, Sunday Times best-selling author of Tall Bones)
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This is not my normal book but it was suggested on a BBC book review so I thought I would give it a go and I'm glad I did. The story rolls along nicely, It doesn't drag the story out like some books. Thanks for a great read.

Great read.

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A dark but beautiful literary masterpiece - darkly comedic in places that I feel wonderfully depicts the versatility and skill of David Thewlis as an entertainer.

I was thoroughly pleased with this book, which was the sole reason for downloading the app for me. As someone who is fond of his work as an actor, I was extremely excited to read and David did not disappoint. Would highly recommend this book. It is an underrated work of genius and left me so deep in thought I didn't realize it had finished for quite a while.

phenomenal- A new favourite.

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Thoroughly enjoyed, characters had such depth and kept my attention from start to finish. Voice acting is perfect. Such a poignant ending. Highly recommend.

Excellent

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