Full of some very memorable characters Dartmouth Circle gives a fascinating insight into the paranoia and hidden goings on in a suburban community. Well-written with considerable page-turnability Dartmouth Circle is set in the unusual setting of a cul-de-sac and it features on the one hand some newly arrived students with the usual drug, sex, small time crime and alchoholic party way of life juxtaposed with the existing close-knit older residents who view their peaceful routine as a way of life and, in fact fear the new upstarts and the changing circumstances wrought on the community.
However, it’s easy to empathise with both students and residents alike despite their considerable age difference. But, the residents’ fears are justified and troubles surface particularly when a relationship grows between one of the younger residents of Dartmouth Circle and one of the newly arrived young students…..
The residents of Dartmouth Circle always refer to their cul-de-sac as 'The Circle'. Somehow, having a private name for their road makes for a feeling of community, of belonging. But then the news breaks...
''Ned Short's sold his house at last'' Sheila announces dramatically, '' to students. What are we going to do?'' ''Do? What can they do? Nothing. Wait and see. Mary takes her to task.
''Sheila, you don't know anything about these young people yet. You've no idea if they're going to cause a nuisance, make a noise, give rowdy parties, take drugs -- they may be perfectly normal youngsters.''
''Yes,'' agrees Sheila ominously. ''That's what I'm afraid of!''
The day comes when Mad Richmond and her student friends move in, living in the cheerfully laid-back style of most university students, and life begins to change for everyone in Dartmouth Circle, young and old alike. Are Sheila's fears justified... and is this quiet middle-class cul-de-sac quite what it seems on the surface, or has it disturbingly hidden depths?
"A compelling storyteller, she draws you inexorably from page to page." - Sally Alford
Author
About Diney Costeloe
Diney Costeloe is the author of twenty-three novels, several short stories, and many articles and poems. She has three children and seven grandchildren, so when she isn't writing, she's busy with family. She and her husband divide their time between Somerset and West Cork. Find Diney online at dineycosteloe.co.uk, Instagram @dineycosteloe, Facebook or on Twitter @dineycosteloe.
