Sharon Wright: Butterfly by John Lynch

Description

It’s a French and British police procedural. But it’s so much more than that: a story of how one woman, born into the most unpromising surroundings, uses what assets she has to make her way in a man’s world. She woos like a female mantis, knowing that, when she’s had her fill, the male may have to die. Surrounded all her life by criminals and petty crime, Sharon aspires to a better life. Nothing outrageous – all she wants is a husband who cares for her, the kind of food they have in magazines, and civilized conversation. No-one else is going to look after her, so she’ll have to do it herself. And when her petty criminal husband gets on the wrong side of two hired killers and pays the ultimate price, Sharon fixes her sights on Jackie Gough. She sets him up for the heist of a lifetime. Riches neither of them has dreamed of. She tells Jackie they’ll be equal partners. And Jackie is dumb enough to believe she means it. This book’s huge sweep takes in gritty, grimy south London and the sylvan Nivernais. Beautifully cooked French cuisine and fast food. True love between people who care for each other and its horrible opposite. And all with characters you’ll never forget.

Some of the things reviewers have said about the book:

Make sure you can set aside the time to read this
Because you won’t want to put it down. You’ll be thinking about it when you’re not reading it – binge-worthy contemporary fiction with totally believable characters and a plot that keeps you guessing right to the end.

Very engaging characters and storyline
John Lynch is a talented and entertaining writer and this book, Sharon Wright: Butterfly is no exception. Despite a large cast of characters at the beginning which had me a little confused for a while, the author deftly brings all the different threads together later in the book, weaving the narrative into a superb story with fabulous dialogue, surprise twists, and a bit of violence and wit. Each well-drawn character eventually slots into position in the story and from then on, it’s hard to put this one down.
I found this story of Sharon, married to a small-time crook, who wants more out of life and will do whatever she can to get it, is an insightful commentary on life and all its aspects. And I would recommend Sharon Wright: Butterfly to readers who enjoy captivating, hard-boiled mystery stories.

Life in a cocoon
Sharon Wright is a British girl who wants to make a better life for herself. Married to a minor criminal she aspires to much more. Follow her life as she turns into a butterfly. Just when you think you know where the story is going, John Lynch throws a sucker punch and leaves you flat footed. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. Sharon Wright: Butterfly is an exciting and entertaining read.

Some lovely descriptive prose about France adds to John Lynch’s fine writing style
In the first few chapters the reader is inundated with so many characters I had to keep the concentration up. But it was worth it as the story lines all come together at the halfway point and make sense. Some lovely descriptive prose about France adds to John Lynch’s fine writing style and once the characters sort themselves out in the mind it’s a thrilling ride alongside Sharon Wright and her various bad guys, good guys and adventures. Recommended.

Very good
This is not highbrow literature. I believe that genre is called hardboiled crime thriller?
An amazing blend of hapless small-time criminals, psycho hitmen, ladies with dubious morals but good hearts, some innocent victims. And a never ending whirl of treachery, deceit and double cross.
Haven’t read a book this quickly in a long time (and wished that it wouldn’t end).