Final demand: [a novel]

Praised as zextraordinarily skillfuly by award-winning writer Anita Brookner, Deborah Moggach has written an extremely powerful novel about the beautiful, bright, and ambitious Natalie, who should be doing something with her life. But instead, shes stuck in a dead-end job and instead of improving her place in the world by her own efforts, takes advantage of the honesty of those around her, ultimately leaving them damaged and broken. Of course she denies responsibility, even when confronted with undeniable evidence that she is involved. So, when she sees a chance to change her life, she doesnt hesitate to take it, even if its at the expense of someone else. After all, its only a minor crime. Nobodys going to get hurt. But Natalies actions actually do have unforeseen and tragic consequences, and the ultimate question is will she be capable to meet the final demand to own up to what she has done? Emotionally taut and beautifully written, Final Demand is a cautionary tale about the battle between greed and love, and our own frailty in the face of temptation.