In the Absence of Mrs Petersen (1966)
What is In the Absence of Mrs Petersen?
It is Nigel Balchin’s thirteenth (and penultimate) novel, which was first published on 27 June 1966. The text of the novel itself is 209 pages long, and this new Penhaligon Press edition also includes a prelude, an introduction and helpful notes.
Synopsis
Jim Petersen is a film scriptwriter working in Hollywood. Sarah, his wife, is bored with the Californian lifestyle so Jim suggests she should take a holiday in New York. Jim arrives late at the airport to see her off and is only in time to watch in horror as her plane crashes on take-off and bursts into flame. There are no survivors. Traumatised, Jim flies to Paris where, at a party, he meets Katherina Feldic, a young Yugoslav who is almost an exact replica of Sarah. Katherina tells Jim that she wants to go to Yugoslavia to acquire some valuables that her grandparents are hoarding for her but doesn’t possess a passport. Jim agrees to lend her Sarah’s passport and to accompany her behind the Iron Curtain.
In Belgrade, Jim becomes perturbed by the fact that Katherina seems to be spending a lot of time in the company of a handsome Yugoslav named Petrov. When confronted by Jim, Katherina confesses that Petrov is really a dissident called Pelic who is causing embarrassment to the authorities. Although she wants to help Pelic she admits, under pressure from Jim, that the situation is hopeless and that the best course of action is to retrieve the valuables as soon as possible and make a break for the border. Jim and Katherina arrive in the house where the gold and jewellery are being stored, only to be met by Pelic, who is pointing a gun at them. Now read on…
(Covers of all editions)
Click here for a more detailed synopsis but please beware of plot spoilers!
Praise for In the Absence of Mrs Petersen:
‘The skills of the author who aims primarily for readability are deployed, as they always were, quite ravishingly’ — Anthony Burgess
‘a thoroughly gripping yarn’ – TLS
‘Another expert tale of the middle-aged man on the flying trapeze’ — The Observer
Why Should I Read This Book?
Because it offers a fresh and interesting perspective on relationships between men and women and will help you to understand why Balchin turned out the way he did. It’s also a well-above-average thriller with an authentic 1960s flavour and an interesting Eastern Europe setting.
How Can I Buy In the Absence of Mrs Petersen?
In the Absence of Mrs Petersen is now available to purchase in print (£9.99) and ebook (£3.99) versions from Amazon via these links:
In the Absence of Mrs Petersen: Amazon.co.uk: Balchin, Nigel Marlin, Collett, Derek Michael: 9781914076251: Books
In the Absence of Mrs Petersen eBook : Balchin, Nigel, Collett, Derek: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
You can also obtain the book from the websites of Foyles, Waterstones or Blackwell’s or by placing an order with any UK bookshop.
In the event of any problems with obtaining the book, please contact the curator of the Nigel Balchin Collection, Derek Collett, at this email address: derekcollett1965@gmail.com |
